Folks using 60% keyboards, how is the experience?

So I've been window shopping for a new keyboard, looking at a TKL and a 60%.

Using a full sized (Strafe RGB) but would like something smaller.

Now, the TKL has the Func keys, perfect opening up certain bits of the UI, ok that's fine. But wonder how much my experience will suffer, if at all, with a 60% keyboard.

So would love to hear your views gamers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by XceptOne

So I've been window shopping for a new keyboard, looking at a TKL and a 60%.

Using a full sized (Strafe RGB) but would like something smaller.

Now, the TKL has the Func keys, perfect opening up certain bits of the UI, ok that's fine. But wonder how much my experience will suffer, if at all, with a 60% keyboard.

So would love to hear your views gamers!

I RP walk with numpad /, and regularly use numpad 8-4-6-2 to fine tune my hud layout.

If that's not the case for you, I feel like your experience shouldn't be hindered.

Playing on Logitech MX Mechanical Mini, so basically a 60% with function key row plus dedicated del+home+end+pgup+pgdn+arrows. Used a TKL for 3-5 years before this.

Some random thoughts:
I miss the keypad 0 key that can be used to log in to the game, just mash it to go through the Start Game and character selection etc.

I don't use the function keys at all because I have my keybinds all customized to my left hand around the WSAD with combination keys.

I definitely like how my mouse doesn't smash into the side of a full-sized keyboard anymore.

I dislike my MX Mechanical Mini because the Function row sits flush with the number row, so every now and then I'd mis-press a function key when I was going for a number key, I am still harboring the urge to go back to my TKL. In fact I found myself browsing the ASUS ROG Claymore II (full size with keypad that can detach and move to the left side) and the ASUS ROG Strix Scope (TKL).

I like the size of my MX Mechanical Mini. Unless you keep your desk pristine like YouTuber b-roll shots all the time, having your keyboard bump into stuff on the desk whenever you try to adjust it a little is annoying.

I am also browsing the Elgato Stream Deck+, which I feel would be great for binding to things like macroed messages, muting/unmuting the BGM, ShadowPlay controls (e.g. saving the last 10 minutes footage) etc., as well as for controlling other background apps like playing music, podcats etc. Although I don't know if FFXIV plays nice with it. But I do think that something like this is better than getting a bigger keyboard just to have more keys available.

I think in general my gripes about playing on the MX Mechanical Mini are to do with how the keyboard is designed, not due to it having less keys. So I'd say if you aren't already making use of those keys now (including using arrows and home/end to edit messages, it was a little frustrating for me at first) you'll probably not have problems on a 60%.

Thanks all, made my decision and will go with a 60%!