Call of Duty: Modern Warfare allows players to compete with mouse and keyboard against players with a controller thanks to crossplay. However, that does not mean it is unfair. We will examine whether mouse players really have an advantage.
This is what we will check: There are ongoing discussions online about whether in shooters like Modern Warfare the mouse with keyboard or the controller is the better input device. This often escalates into a “console vs. PC” debate. However, many players agree: the mouse is stronger.
However, there are also opposing voices. Streamer and former pro summit1g even claims that controller players have an advantage in Halo Reach – which is also the case in Modern Warfare (via Dexerto).
Modern Warfare offers crossplay between PS4, PC, and Xbox One. When the option is enabled (which it is by default), players from any platform can compete against each other, even with different input devices.
This means: If you play on console, you could face players on PC with mouse and keyboard. Conversely, you can also end up in console lobbies. This often happens when you use a controller on PC.
We will look at which input device is really stronger in Modern Warfare.
Mouse vs. Controller – which is stronger?
Many players and experts have previously dealt with this question in their analyses. They found that both mouse and keyboard as well as the controller have their pros and cons. In one of his videos, CoD expert Drift0r addresses exactly this question:
The pros and cons of mouse and keyboard: Most analyses also reflect the impression of many players: The mouse is simply more precise as an input device. It allows for more accurate control of how aiming is done and the crosshair is more precise where you want it.
The mouse also allows for faster movements, enabling players to quickly spot enemies from behind or the side. A turn can be quick enough to catch an enemy from the flank if they fire too early.
Anyone who engages a little with the mouse settings can set their movements precisely and with the right mouse even set sensitivity profiles to use different settings in-game for sniper rifles and shotguns.
The pros and cons of the controller: The controller offers an aim assist that can be very strong in Modern Warfare. With this option, controller players can also stay on moving targets more easily and despite being somewhat imprecise with stick movements, achieve accurate hits.
However, this is not necessarily an unfair advantage, but merely compensating for a disadvantage. In contrast, a controller offers some comfort advantages, such as a more pleasant feel in the hand or the ability to game comfortably from the sofa. However, these are personal preferences.
Intermediate conclusion about the input device
Which device is better now? In a direct comparison, the mouse performs better. However, this only applies if one fully utilizes its functions.
In short: If you are really good with the mouse, you will consistently outperform any controller player. According to Drift0r, you would have to play at the level of a shroud (the “human aimbot”).
Console vs. PC
That’s why the choice of platform is important: In his video, Drift0r also explains that the platform plays a role. CoD: Modern Warfare offers many settings options, such as setting the field of view or screen resolution.
However, such options are only properly usable on PC. Here, native resolutions beyond 1080p can be selected – not by default in the console versions. This means that PC players can play with larger textures by default without having to scale the image, which can lead to input lag.
Moreover, PCs and PC monitors allow for far more than the standard 60Hz (or 60FPS) of consoles. Therefore, you are playing with a smoother image there. How important the FPS are, has already been shown in a test with pro shroud.
However, for this comparison, it is only a secondary concern, as it is primarily about the input devices. Controllers can also be used on PC and mouse and keyboard can also be used on PS4 and Xbox One with certain settings.
Self-test – How controller and mouse compare
This is how it was tested: To get an impression of the whole thing, I played with both devices myself. I usually play on PC with mouse and keyboard and even do quite well with it. However, for the test, I played a few rounds with an Xbox One controller.
For the test, I chose the free-for-all mode because this offers the fairest conditions in my opinion and tests solely my skills, not those of a team. This way, I could compare better how I perform with each device.
For both playstyles, I chose a Run & Gun build with the MP7. This is my preferred way to play CoD.
This is how it plays with a controller
My impressions with the controller: My first round with the controller was surprisingly very good and even pleasant. As someone who usually only plays platformers and adventures with a controller, Modern Warfare felt quite good.
Aiming was also a less significant problem than I thought. In fact, I found it easier to stay on targets with the scope. After a short time, I even consciously used aim assist, which made the entire game even smoother.
Using the controller is very easy, even for someone who never uses it for shooters. Much works intuitively, such as firing, sprinting, or reloading. Only a few small things like crouching or holding buttons for certain actions are unusual.
However, firing at longer distances was difficult for me. At shorter distances, it actually felt easier to get kills. In the end, I was able to finish all rounds with a solid fourth place or higher and with between 22 and 28 kills.
This is how it plays with mouse and keyboard
My impressions with mouse and keyboard: For comparison, I played with the mouse right after my controller rounds. I noticed that I can rely heavily on my muscle memory here.
Many of my movements are automatic and simply a reflex after years on PC. My arm with the mouse moves immediately when I see something. These are movements that I do not have with the controller and probably never will, as my thumbs cannot be trained as well as a whole arm (at least that is my impression).
Moreover, my button mapping for the keyboard is different and adjusted to my preferences. Many commands are on buttons that are easier to reach or on thumb buttons of the mouse. This leads – at least for me – to smoother rounds. I finished all games in positions between 1 and 3.
How the games differ
How do the rounds differ? What I clearly noticed are the different playstyles of the devices and players. With the controller, I was assigned to many controller lobbies. They were mixed, but mostly dominated by controllers.
During this, I noticed some things that were quite different in controller lobbies, at least in my games, than in my dozens of hours with the mouse:
- Much more camping
- Shotguns and Claymores are used more frequently
- The rounds are more balanced – no one dominates the entire game
- Players more often use the mounting feature for weapons
The other playstyle is neither better nor worse, just different. However, particularly the Claymores and camping are things that occur less frequently on PC, as faster aiming allows for better reactions here.
In short: Those who play with a controller against mouse and keyboard are at a disadvantage. However, if a mouse player plays carelessly, they will lose against a controller.
Conclusion: Should I play with a controller or mouse now?
If you want to get really good at Modern Warfare, you should opt for the mouse, as this simply offers the better conditions at a higher level. However, this only applies to the absolute best of the players.
Casual and even competitive play can unmistakably be done with both input devices. Those who are good with the controller dominate mouse players and vice versa. Ultimately, it comes down to the player, not the input device. Everything can be trained.
The devices differ in the way they are played since they favor different playstyles. Mouse players, for example, can focus more on speed and accuracy, while controller players might want to pay more attention to their recoil:
