Summary
A good keyboard isn’t a universal necessity, but for PC gamers and those who work from home, it can make all the difference. It’s generally one of those things that people don’t think matters all that much until they personally test a well-designed one, after which they find themselves met with a new standard and are frequently in need of the best hardware available. When it comes to keyboards, theASUSROG Falchion Ace HFX gaming keyboard is one of the best out there, thanks to its compact size, comfort, and intuitive design.
The ROG Falchion Ace HFX is available now, but even before release it had been earning a solid reputation, and it’s easy to see why. Over several days, Game Rant had the opportunity to test the ROG Falchion Ace HFXgaming keyboard, taking note of its comfort, intuitiveness, and design.
The ROG Falchion Ace HFX Gaming Keyboard Is Fast, Compact, Comfortable, and Intuitive
Right out of the box, the Falchion Ace HFX feels great. One of the Falchion Ace HFX’s best and most readily noticeable features is its typing feel, which is simultaneously comfortable and responsive. The keyboard’s UV-coated ABS keycaps are soft to the touch and are specially designed to protect against keycap shining. Hidden beneath the keycaps is an integrated five-layer dampening and silicone gasket mount that helps absorb noise and offers a cushioned typing experience. Essentially, each keystroke feels comparable to typing on a firm pillow for the fingers, which serves to decrease fatigue from extended use.
The Falchion Ace HFX is a 65% analog gaming keyboard, so it’s very compact. Those more familiar with larger keyboards might find the size of the Falchion Ace HFX to be a bit off-putting initially, but it doesn’t feel like a small keyboard at all. Its compact design allows for quite a bit more desk space — a hot commodity among gamers with a multitude of accessories, or who merely want a cleaner setup. As a 65% analog keyboard, it lacks a ten-key, and several of its other functions are in a vertical line on its right side. This might be the main issue with the Falchion Ace HFX for those whose occupation all but requires a ten-key or for those who simply prefer to use one.
One of the Falchion Ace HFX’s best and most readily noticeable features is its typing feel, which is simultaneously comfortable and responsive.
The Falchion Ace HFX was clearly built for gamers, but it is still an excellent choice for anyone who regularly types for work or recreation. Its ROG HFX magnetic switches are easily customizable through ASUS' Armoury Crate app, allowing users to change the actuation of individual keys from a range of 0.1-4.0 mm. Changing the keyboard’s actuation affects the responsiveness of each key, which can be beneficial or not, depending on the situation. For example, typists may prefer a faster typing response, whereas gamers might prefer a little more resistance with each keystroke. However, this is also where the Falchion Ace HFX’s Rapid Trigger toggle comes in.
By switching the Rapid Trigger toggle on the back of the Falchion Ace HFX, users can easily toggle the actuation of preset keys on or off. Should they need to type something out quickly, switching the Rapid Trigger toggle on allows for a faster typing response. Switching the Rapid Trigger toggle off, however, returns the keyboard’s actuation settings to default, which is generally more useful in gaming situations. Settings for the Rapid Trigger toggle are fully customizable inArmoury Crateas well, and they can be adjusted globally or individually. This level of customization increases the universal appeal of the Falchion Ace HFX, as a feature like this isn’t available on just any keyboard.
On the back of the Falchion Ace HFX is a multifunction button and interactive touch panel, with the former changing the function of the latter when pressed. The multifunction button can cycle through five different functions, including System Volume, Media Track, Keyboard Brightness Adjustment, Actuation Point, and an extra function that can be customized in Armoury Crate but makes the touch panel act as a mouse by default. While on System Volume, swiping the touch panel to the right or left increases or decreases the system’s volume, and double-tapping it mutes/unmutes it. It’s a bit slower than simply changing the volume in a PC’s sound settings, but it’s a neat function nonetheless.
While on Media Track, swiping the touch panel to the right or left moves to the next track or the previous track, while double-tapping it plays/pauses it. Keyboard Brightness Adjustment functions just as implied, increasing the brightness with a right swipe and decreasing it with a left. Double-tapping in this mode sets the brightness to 100% or 0%. The multifunction button’s Actuation Point adjustment mode is probably the most useful, as it allows for easy adjustment of actuation points by 0.5 mm without needing to open Armoury Crate. Setting the actuation point to its lowest setting did create a pretty serious issue during the review, however, as it caused certain keys to behave erratically, even after a firmware update.
On the left and right of the Falchion Ace HFX’s rear panel are dual USB-C ports, which are most useful for those hooked up to more than one device. When the keyboard is plugged into two separate devices, simply toggling a switch on its rear panel will change which device is using the keyboard. The Falchion Ace HFX’s lighting can also be customized in Armoury Crate, and there is a wide variety of themes available. Additionally, the Falchion Ace HFX comes with a sturdy and stylish cover that not only enhances the keyboard’s portability but also allows users to keep it covered when it’s not in use.
All in all, theASUS ROGFalchion Ace HFX is an excellent gaming keyboard that will benefit almost anyone in need of an upgrade. There are a few amenities that could do with a bit of tweaking, but typing and gaming are immensely satisfying, both in the feel and sound of the keyboard. The ability to change the Falchion Ace HFX’s responsiveness on the fly makes it incredibly versatile, and its compact design allows for more desk space and portability. Anyone looking to upgrade their gaming or work setup should look no further than the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX.
Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX Keyboard
The ROG Falchion Ace HFX boasts ROG HFX Magnetic Switches that feature a customizable 0.1-4.0 mm actuation range, along with a dedicated Rapid Trigger toggle for the fastest typing response. Five-layer dampening and a silicone gasket mount absorb pinging noises and vibrations to provide superior typing experiences. A multifunction button and interactive touch panel allow for intuitive and effortless actuation point adjustments, and Dual USB-C ports on the left and right rear panel of the keyboard offer flexible connectivity, with a quick-toggle to switch between two PCs.
The ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX gaming keyboard is available for $199.99 atASUS Rog’s official site. Game Rant was provided with a unit for this review.
