see if you can still get a 'Fireglider' somewhere. that mouse cost me about 30€ when I got it originally and it's perfect for gaming, really. it has 2 extra buttons and you can change the weight around and adjust the in/output easily.

IF you ever decide to get an 'all fancy' gaming mouse SAY NO TO NAGA. get a logitec G700 :P
(cheaper and just plain better. lol)


for gamepad vs mouse + keyboard, it's really nothing but preference. I love playing with mouse and keyboard but I find the gamepad playstyle in ARR to be etremely intuitive once you get used to it. I wouldn't say it's easier or harder, really, though. especially with legacy movement enabled on PC mouse + keyboard works great