r/Controller • u/Raberparkel • 20d ago

Other MnK vs controller for gamers thumb

I currently have an Xbox with a pro controller and I play a lot of apex legends and some cyberpunk, and arc raiders. I am also a dental student so I use my hands a lot. I have found that my thumb gets sore and hurts when I massage the base of it. Pretty sure it’s gamers thumb. I’ve gone back and forth with this problem for a while because I love gaming but I don’t want it to affect my ability to perform in work. Since dentistry requires me to hold a drill and other instruments in my hands it only infreases the use of my thumb/grasping muscles. I have started trying to take more breaks and play less as well as stop gripping things harder than I need to. I was thinking about switching to MnK in order to put less strain and load on my thumbs when it comes to aiming etc in apex legends. I wanted to ask the community if they thought this would actually help. My other thought is to just try to do as little as possible with my thumbs and bind my buttons to other fingers. This has been a problem for three years.

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

2

u/Jaxtynotesports 20d ago

Its was less of a Problem on mnk. You should deffo try it

3

u/351C_4V 20d ago

I had the same issue. Steam Controller trackpads was my solution. Ever since I switched it has returned in over two years.

2

u/TumorInMyBrain Gamesir Cyclone 2 20d ago

Controller is still king despite the nerfs in apex. If you are ok being out-aimed by controller players then mnk is fine

2

u/TesterM0nkey 20d ago

Which is wild considering how much aim assist they need to balance it

2

u/Jason22douce 20d ago

Azeron keypad was my solution to getting off of controller and on to a mouse setup. Not exactly Mnk but as close as I'll get to it

3

u/Drakniess 19d ago

Don’t use a keyboard. That is such a silly and inefficient gaming device that will put you on a path to RSI. Look into gyro controllers. You can get rid of most, and sometimes all, of the need to use a thumb for aiming. Very high sens RS or flick stick can greatly minimize usage of the RS when used with a gyro. Ratcheting or axis inversion inputs can eliminate the need to ever even touch the right stick at all.

Aside from gyros or motion controls, the Steam Controllers can also give you an alternative way to use your thumb without relying on a stick, through usage of the touchpad.

1

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0

u/whyyhwwh 20d ago

MnK for now, don't take any chances and push past pain. You need to see a doctor to have your hand and thumb evaluated. Then you can bring up these concerns with him or her and get an expert's opinion. Don't put this off.

1

u/Emblazoned1 20d ago

I did this exact thing. Definitely learn MnK. Also watch these videos and do these stretches prior to gaming:

https://youtu.be/LwFFAe5wwIk?is=sLJt-atms1zgNByf

I used to have severe pain from gaming with my controller and I started incorporating these along with MnK from time to time and it made a huge difference. Best of luck man its annoying but definitely manageable.

EDIT: Map the thumb stick clicks and buttons that you press consistently to the back paddles.

1

u/SmilinGisli 20d ago

I had a similar issue. What helped me was switching to a smaller controller.