These days, companies are attaching the word “gaming” to nearly everything in hopes of attracting a customer base that has a reputation of frivolously spending plenty of money on microtransactions. While gaming chairs and gaming desktops are a bit silly and mostly marketing jargon, a gaming mouse actually makes sense. That’s because they have unique features that enhance gameplay and can arguably give you an advantage. For example, higher DPI settings and programmable buttons, like on an MMO gaming mouse, not only add convenience but give a competitive edge.
I’ve been using multi-button gaming mice ever since they were created, and I’ve always found them extremely convenient to use outside of gaming. The ability to program common keyboard shortcuts to a mouse button actually makes me more efficient at my job. For example, I have a productivity profile on my Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite with buttons mapped to select all (Ctrl+A), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V). I’ve also mapped buttons to Ctrl+F4 and Alt+F4, making it easier to close tabs or windows.
Now there are plenty of mice out there that offer a few extras buttons on the side and the top, but MMORPG or MOBA mice have a grid of buttons. The Corsair Scimitar offers 12 additional programmable buttons on the side, complemented by two extra buttons located below the scroll wheel. That’s 17 buttons in total that can be remapped to whatever you need. The reason why I prefer the 4×3 grid design is that it doesn’t take very long to program your brain to remember which button does what. A quick feel on the side with your thumb helps you locate the button you need.
And the numbered system makes it easier to map controls in an MMORPG. I use the Scimitar for Final Fantasy XIV, one of the best games I’ve ever played, and to make it simple, I just mapped Shift+F1 through Shift+F12 to each of the side buttons. This way, I know button 1 on the Scimitar RGB is mapped to Shift+F1 and button 12 is Shift+F12. It does take a little bit of getting used to, but once you do, you’ll never be able to go back. While all the extra buttons may be overkill for a game like Valorant or Apex Legends, being able to map some of those buttons so your left hand can focus on WASD is a nice advantage.
Personally, I find having an MMO mouse a necessary accessory, even if I’m not actively playing an MMORPG. Even playing something like Diablo IV is a better experience with an MMO mouse, since I don’t need to rely on my keyboard to use any of my skills or potions.
Why do I recommend the Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite? I used to be a big fan of Logitech peripherals, but their mice kept failing me with phantom double clicks. My first Corsair mouse stood up to thousands of hours of abuse with Diablo III, so ever since then, I’ve just stuck with the brand. They’re reliable and their warranty support is great, as I have had to warranty a mouse before because the scroll wheel was acting up. I couldn’t be happier with how the transaction went with Corsair.
The Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite features a key slider control system, so you can actually position the side button panel for comfort. It uses a custom PixArt PWM3391 sensor with 18K DPI precision, adjustable in 1 DPI resolution steps. It’s lightweight and comfortable to use for extended hours, and if you want matching RGB with the rest of your rig, it’s compatible with iCUE software.
Keep in mind, the Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite is only available as a wired mouse, so it’s not an ideal recommendation if you need a wireless solution. Also, it does take some time to setup the software and configuring your shortcuts for each mouse button. The software is a bit unintuitive and can be frustrating to use. If you feel like you wouldn’t take advantage of the extra buttons, then I wouldn’t recommend an MMO mouse to you, since those buttons are the main reason to purchase one.
Personally, I prefer a wired mouse and I have found the extra buttons to be handy for increasing my day-to-day productivity when I’m not gaming. When I am gaming, it’s become second nature for me to map nearly all of a game’s commands to my mouse. I couldn’t even imagine playing something like Teamfight Tactics without it. Yes, I reroll the shop and purchase XP with the mouse buttons!
