Vortex Gaming

Following the previous FC Online monitor feature, this feature aims to explore keyboards and pads, peripherals that FC Online users have considered at least once. Unlike typical games where the monitor is quite important, FC Online places a higher importance on control devices such as keyboards or pads that directly control players than display devices.

In fact, I've heard quite a few stories from people around me who have definitely felt the difference after changing peripherals such as keyboards or pads, but in the case of monitors, there are still many users who are doing well with 60Hz. Of course, it's just relative, so don't misunderstand that the performance of the monitor is completely irrelevant.

Keyboards and pads are also relatively inexpensive compared to monitors or major computer components, and within FC Online, they are a field where performance is guaranteed for the price, so you can't just pass by. Personally, I often browse the FC Online community, and debates about keyboards and pads have been going on frequently since the past.

As with the last time, as someone who has heard a lot of tips and advice from pro gamers and high-ranking influencers from the days when we used FIFA naming to the current FC, today I would like to take a closer look at keyboards and pads for FC Online users and compare them directly to see which products are suitable.

What are the peripheral product groups that are suitable for FC Online, and furthermore, what products are performing well in the game?

Keyboard
A Steady Seller for PC Users

In FC Online, the keyboard is actually one of the peripherals that cannot be separated, and if you are a user who mainly plays on PC, this device will not be unfamiliar. Looking around me, nine out of ten started with a keyboard, and there are still many acquaintances who enjoy the game using a keyboard.

I also mainly use a keyboard rather than a pad. The biggest reason is that I started with a keyboard and am familiar with the key layout and controls. Once I get used to it, it's not easy to change. Of course, recently I want to use a pad as well, so I'm using it as a hybrid.

The control itself is intuitive, so even beginners can easily approach it. You can simply learn a few keys such as the arrow keys on the bottom right and A, S, D, W, E for passing, shooting, and player switching on the keyboard, and you can play without any problems, and once you get used to it, you can combine and apply control keys such as Q, Z, and C.

However, if you are a user who is used to this, the limited 8-way movement of the keyboard may be uncomfortable. Direction changes are limited compared to the analog stick of the pad, which allows you to freely change direction, so it may be difficult for users who have used the pad first to adapt.

So how should you choose such a keyboard? Within a large category, you can think of it as a membrane keyboard and a mechanical keyboard. A membrane keyboard with rubber domes and plastics that were commonly seen at home in the past, and a mechanical keyboard that operates by individually mounting switches on each key.

In fact, if you look at recent gamers, there are a few users who use membrane keyboards, but most prefer mechanical keyboards, so I will explain based on mechanical keyboards.

Mechanical keyboards can be divided into three categories depending on the switch used. Clicky, tactile, and linear. Clicky is the blue switch that we commonly know with a crisp clicking sound, linear is the red switch that has relatively low noise and light key pressure, and tactile is the brown switch that is familiar to keyboard users who enjoy FC Online. You can think of this tactile as being between the blue switch and the red switch, and it is perfect for beginners.

In addition, there are countless switches depending on mechanical characteristics such as key pressure and actuation point. So what mechanical keyboard is suitable for FC Online? By the way, when looking at a keyboard, be sure to check the simultaneous input function, which is important when adjusting commands or directions. The following is listed by price range, so please refer to it.

AULA F87(Spider)

■ Price range: ₩30,000~40,000 (based on overseas direct purchase)

About three or four months before writing this article, I saw this shocking keyboard. AULA 87, also known as the Spider, is a mechanical keyboard. A custom mechanical keyboard with a gasket structure, a decent response speed of 3mm, a 2.4GHz wireless receiver, and hot-swappable capabilities. It was destroying the ecosystem with a very aggressive price in the custom mechanical keyboard market, which would have easily exceeded ₩100,000 if you looked at it a lot.

I bought it without much hesitation thinking, 'I can use this as a toy?' I've been using it since around January, so as I said, I've been using it for about three or four months, and I'm very satisfied with it more than I expected because I lowered my standards. Rather, I was more satisfied because the stabilizers and lubrication were well done. In addition, the switches come in a variety of types, so you can choose according to your taste. Personally, I ordered and used tactile (yellow axis), and I was satisfied because there were few typos and the stabilizers were very well done.

The disadvantage is that it is an overseas direct purchase. Based on my purchase time, it took about a month. I have a history of suffering dozens of times from overseas direct purchases in the past, so it didn't have a big impact on me, but if you are a user who wants to buy and use it right away, the delivery time is quite long, so consider this as well.

Leopold FC750R Brown Switch

■ Price range: ₩160,000~170,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

If you want to choose a keyboard that can best express the key feel of the Cherry Brown switch, it would be the Leopold FC750R Brown Switch. Wouldn't it be a welcome name for FC Online users? It's a reliable keyboard with almost no response speed or key recognition errors.

It is a mechanical keyboard that is good for long-term use by applying a sturdy housing and double-shot keycaps, and includes basic simultaneous input functions. There is some noise and the key pressure is higher than the red switch, so if you are a user who values noise or key feel, you may want to consider a low-noise red switch.

Corsair K70 Red Switch

■ Price range: ₩170,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

A mechanical keyboard that is often seen in the FC Online community, the Corsair K70 Red Switch. The saying "If you ask about the red switch, look at Corsair" is the most appropriate, and the Corsair red switch keyboard is receiving a lot of favorable reviews.

Personally, it was the smoothest red switch keyboard I've ever used, and the noise was low. It is a 104-key full-size keyboard including the tenkey with a non-key style keyboard. In addition, it has a high durability with an aluminum housing, so it seems that there will be no problem using it for a long time. In addition, you can change the keyboard polling rate to your liking, so it is best to try it out at an offline store and make a decision.

Razer Huntsman V2 TKL Linear

■ Price range: ₩180,000~190,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL Linear is so quiet that you might think, 'Is this a mechanical keyboard?' It is a tenkeyless product, which means that the number pad (tenkey) on the right side of the keyboard is excluded, and the input latency is low, so it seems that it will not be inferior to any other keyboard in terms of response speed in games like FC Online.

The sensitivity is Razer. When you connect the keyboard, you can encounter RGB and tens of thousands of colors flowing between the keycaps. If the amount of light is insufficient, how about changing the keycaps? The only disadvantage is that the location where the USB-C type cable is plugged in is biased to the left, so if you have a PC on the right, we recommend moving it to the left. It's subtly uncomfortable.

Logitech G913 TKL Linear

■ Price range: ₩190,000~200,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

The Logitech G series keyboard is a steady seller that cannot be left out in FC Online. Since the G512 product has been loved by FC Online users for a long time, most users are interested in Logitech products.

This is a product that I would definitely recommend if you prefer a low keyboard, that is, a low-profile keyboard. It is a low-profile product with a low keycap height, and the keyboard layout consists of 87 keys. The wireless connection is also quite stable and it is convenient to switch the connection method intuitively. It is a gaming low-profile keyboard that is rare these days, so it is a keyboard worth paying attention to.

Personally, the Micro-B 2.0 port is one of the most disappointing parts. If it was a C-type cable, it would have been a much more attractive product.

Varmilo VA87M Low Noise Red Switch

■ Price range: ₩210,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

Varmilo's VA87M low-noise red switch model is already loved as a gaming mechanical keyboard. A low-noise red switch that maintains the unique key feel of the red switch and minimizes the noise during the typing process. It is loved by FC Online users for its unique rustling feel and low noise.

It is equipped with various functions such as infinite simultaneous input and function keys, and minimizes the phenomenon of the keyboard being pushed by using a high-strength reinforcement plate. Above all, the design is very pretty. It is said that good-looking rice cakes taste good too. It's a design that makes you want to take a picture and show it off to your friends if it's on my desk.

If I have to pick out a disadvantage, there is a slight echo (?). For this reason, users who want to use it properly are recommended to lubricate it. Of course, lubrication is not an easy task, so you don't have to do it.

I will share the keyboard settings of Mr. Bangbae, one of the top-ranked FC Online keyboard players who I interviewed last time, and finish the keyboard recommendation.

▶ Want to know keyboard tips? Go to FC Online Influencer Bangbae Interview

Pad
In fact, the origin of soccer games was the pad

It has been a long time since many soccer games and sports games became popular. Most of them would have been experienced through console game consoles at that time. If you think about what peripherals you used at that time, there is nothing else that comes to mind other than a pad with analog sticks and buttons arranged and played with both hands.

These pads are also receiving favorable reviews in FC Online. If you think about it based on the top ranks, the usage rate of pads is overwhelmingly high. Of course, there are users who use keyboards. The reason is simple. You can control all 360 degrees more freely and delicately than the 8-way control of the keyboard, and as a result, it has many advantages in areas of detailed control, including dribbling.

In addition, there are quite a few advantages such as mapping buttons that allow you to assign complex keys to one button when playing FC Online, the click feel you feel when clicking, the smooth rotation of the analog stick, and the grip that allows you to use it for a long time.

However, I don't think I can carelessly say, 'If you want to be good at FC Online, you must use a pad.' In the case of users who have played with a keyboard for a long time, it may take quite a while to use and get used to the pad, depending on the person, and I have also seen reactions from users that the fatigue in their hands increases. Also, if you can't control the analog stick delicately to some extent, a disaster can occur where you can't control it in the direction you want.

Pads are mostly divided into platform holder products made by companies that make console game consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox that we know, and third-party products that satisfy individual users with high quality as good as official products. Representative pads of platform holder products include Xbox pads and PlayStation pads, and third-party products include Turtle Beach and Joytron. The following is listed by price range, so please refer to it.

GameSir G7

■ Price range: ₩20,000~30,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

GameSir G7, a third-party pad in the form of an Xbox pad. First of all, the price is cheap. And the stick itself is smooth, and personally, I can say that it is the lightest pad I have ever used. If you can adapt and use it by adapting well to a fast and light stick, it will be a big advantage, but I do not recommend it to users who do not like light and have sweaty hands.

The weight also feels slightly lighter than the Xbox pad. There is a 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom, which can be quite useful for those who use earphones. The cross button has a stronger repulsion than the Xbox pad, so it is not pressed smoothly, and the click feel is similar to the Xbox pad. Mapping is also possible.

This is a pad recommended for users who say that they can control it sufficiently with fast and light products in FC Online.

Turtle Beach Recon Controller

■ Price range: ₩40,000~50,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

The Turtle Beach Recon Controller, which FC Online users have seen a lot as a recommended pad since the FIFA days. This is also a third-party pad with a decent price. The grip was actually a moderate feeling because my hands are small, but after listening to the reviews of people with large hands, they say that they are very satisfied with it. In addition, the grips on both sides are made of anti-slip and cooling-specialized materials, so it seems that there will be no problem even if used for a long time.

There are not many key misses, and if you program and use the two mapping buttons on the back, you can more easily use combination keys that are difficult to input or confusing to operate. Please also refer to this.

The control feel is also tight, so it may feel heavy for first-time users, but if you get used to it, you will be able to use it more comfortably. It is a product without any angular corners overall. In the past, I was worried because I had to wait for a long time due to overseas shipping and also bear additional shipping costs, but now it is officially released in Korea, so the price and shipping have been resolved.

Xbox 4th Generation

■ Price range: ₩50,000~60,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

Platform holder official pad. It's the Xbox 4th generation pad. If you look at FC Online users who are starting with a pad, there are many users who use generational products from Xbox ONE S. The price is also reasonable. After all, the biggest advantage of the Xbox pad is that compatibility and performance are proven.

However, if you look at FC Online users who use it, there are quite a few complaints about response speed and key recognition errors. Also, unlike other third-party products, there are no mapping buttons. For reference, although it is an official pad, we recommend considering the Rock Candy series, which is popular as a cost-effective product. I don't like it.

Joytron Vader 2

■ Price range: ₩60,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

Joytron Vader 2, a third-party pad that is receiving good reviews from many FC Online YouTubers and rankers. It is stable and the response speed is also decent. It has a moderate size, so the grip itself is good regardless of whether your hands are small or large, and there are 6 mapping buttons on the front and back, so it can be seen as a good pad for utilizing control keys.

Also, the control feel itself is better than other pads. The tension is not too strong or too fast, it is just a pleasant middle feeling, and the touch of the analog stick is smooth, so it is okay to press it hard with your finger. However, please note that the button noise is quite loud.

PS5 DualSense

■ Price range: ₩70,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

This is also a platform holder product like the Xbox pad, so it can be seen as a product with proven compatibility and performance. It may be uncomfortable for those who have used the Xbox pad until they get used to the button positions, but it is a pad worth recommending if you get used to the product.

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma

■ Price range: ₩180,000~190,000 (based on the lowest price on Danawa)

The pad used by Park Ji-min and Park Ki-young, who won 1st and 2nd place at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. It is a premium lineup pad favored by FC Online professional gamers. If you are a user who has used existing platform holder products, the response speed may feel a little dull, but the product itself is superior to other pads in terms of durability and performance.

It is a pad with many advantages such as a luxurious appearance, Razer's sensitivity, a heavy feel, and a grip that wraps around. The button click feel is also good and the spacing between the keys is wide, so there are few cases of misinput. It is a price that is burdensome to buy as an entry-level product right away, but if you are a user who has adapted to the pad to some extent, it can be seen as a product that is worth the money. If you can invest more, we also recommend the Wolverine V2 Pro.

Keyboard VS Pad
What is the answer?

Keyboard VS Pad, to put it bluntly, it can be seen as a matter of personal preference. Of course, I actively recommend it to those who are familiar with the pad or have already used the pad a lot, but depending on your play style or the peripherals that you have used for a long time and are comfortable with, there are individual differences, so it is difficult to pinpoint one thing.

I still prefer the keyboard. I have used a pad for over 10 years while playing soccer games, but I have a longer history of using a keyboard in FC Online, which is not my main home. In addition, I strongly recommend trying out the keyboard directly at an offline store rather than looking at reviews online.

In the case of the pad, there are definitely better parts physically compared to the keyboard. You can use direction changes more freely, and through this, you can play delicately. This shows quite good performance not only when attacking but also when defending.

The contents of this FC Online peripheral feature may not be all the answers, but I have written it after filtering and filtering the devices I have used to some extent and various reviews. I hope that this feature will reduce the choice fatigue of users who enjoy FC Online, and I will finish writing.

Webzine InvenReporter Lee Hyun-soo
2024-04-05