What Mechanical Keyboard do you recommend for XIV?

[Morimoto]

I am buying a new KB and looking at a Corsair k70 w/Cherry red switches

Which KB and Switches do ya'll recommend? I have heard the reds and blacks are best because they are linear. thoughts?

[Madoka]

The idea is that they'll be better for gaming since gamers just mash so with linear even though you get the key press out within a milimeter you don't feel that and bottom out. The idea is that you can barely tap the key and get what you want done, which is true but doesn't usually work in practice.
Browns and blues have a force feedback on when you actually press the key to actuate it and then of course the bottoming out. This means that ideally you stop pressing the key after you got the feedback that it's been pressed instead of continuing further down. You can also get o-rings to keep yourself from bottoming out (and quieter typing). Both take the same amount of pressure but blues have an extra part that makes the loud clack when actuated

imo Browns are the best to get as they're good for gaming and still good for typing. As for brands I'm fond of Filco and Leopold

[Eekiki]

I used a Deck Legend (with Cherry Brown switches) until it stopped working, despite being advertised as "The last keyboard I'd ever need".

I believe it had something to do with the keyboard's cable apparently disintegrating. It couldn't possibly have been simply chewed up by a certain cat that likes to do such things. Nope. No way.

However, I've replaced that with the aforementioned Corsair K70. Personally I prefer the reds to the browns. I also really like the contoured keycaps that come with it to optionally replace WASD and 1-6 on the number row.

Also, I like the whole design of the Corsair keyboard. The board itself is aluminum, and the keys sit on top of the board rather than in some cut out tray. This makes it easier to keep clean. It looks cool, and it takes up less real estate on the desk. It also has a nice thick fabric cable that just isn't nearly as satisfying to chew on.

[Morimoto]

Too bad they don't make the k70 in mx black...

Easy cleaning is a good point!

[Zaft]

Here's a simple chart regarding mechanical switches:

[Gildarts]

go for Ducky, Filco, Deck... solid Keyboards.

as for which cherry mx color, imo you need to test to see whats best for you

[Wadoka]

There can be only one.

Unicomp Model M.

[Eekiki]

There can be only one.

Unicomp Model M.

When my cat killed my deck, and before I got my K70, I was using my old Model M (I bought it for work because it's SUPER LOUD and I wanted everyone to hear how busy I was). While it is without question the most reliable keyboard ever, it suuucks for gaming.

[Wadoka]

When my cat killed my deck, and before I got my K70, I was using my old Model M (I bought it for work because it's SUPER LOUD and I wanted everyone to hear how busy I was). While it is without question the most reliable keyboard ever, it suuucks for gaming.

I've had people tell me the keys are too far apart, and the reach slows them down, but... big hands, long fingers, works pretty good. I also have a RAZER BlackWidow Tournament but the spacing doesn't work as well for me. Looks cool though!

[Eekiki]

I've had people tell me the keys are too far apart, and the reach slows them down, but... big hands, long fingers, works pretty good. I also have a RAZER BlackWidow Tournament but the spacing doesn't work as well for me. Looks cool though!

Yeah, I got big hands and long fingers, too. But the difference between the Model M and Corsair K70 is night and day. More than the key spacing is the amount of force required to trigger a keypress. It takes a lot more force to press a buckling spring switch compared to a Cherry Red, but the buckling spring switch will never ever wear out.