The Asus ROG Pugio: The quintessential gaming mouse?
Recently we spoke about how a monitor with just the right amount of features can be used by both gamers and non-gamers alike. Today, we’ll be looking at another somewhat overlooked PC component; the mouse. More specifically, the ASUS ROG Pugio Gaming Mouse. Even after being in the market for almost a year, ROG Pugio stays up with the other big names in gaming peripherals.
Asus goes all out with the packaging for the ROG Pugio
In comparison to a regular mouse, for gaming it usually packs a lot more features into its hardware. This includes a better build quality, higher quality components such as switches and the sensor, as well as a touch of flash (sometimes literally), with illuminated lighting. The ROG Pugio has all of this, and more.
For starters, let’s take a look at the packaging, both inside and out. The mouse ships in a medium-sized box illustrated with all its features and specifications.
A flap in front allows you to take a look at the mouse while still in its packaging and gives you access to even more reading material.
Opening the packaging gives you access to a plethora of goodies inside. For starters, you get the ROG Pugio mouse itself. Leaving that aside, you also get a ROG pouch to safely transport your mouse. There’s also a ROG case badge for you to paste on your PC/Laptop or anywhere you want to. But that’s not all. You also get 2 Japanese-made Omron switches and2 side button covers.
Taking our first look at the ROG Pugio Mouse
The first thing you notice about the ROG Pugio is that it has a powerful, ferocious vibe. If you’re a gamer, you would know what a gaming mouse looks like. If you’re not a gamer and you look at the ROG Pugio, you will definitely notice that it doesn’t look like your average mouse.
Weighing in at just around 103g, the Pugio is light enough for some fast-paced FPS games but also has enough weight to not slip all over your mouse mat or surface. It has stealthy lines complemented by some stealthy lighting to match. The beauty of the ROG Pugio is that the shape is ambidextrous. This means that it can be used either by a right or a left hander. The sides of the ROG Pugio are also made of rubber, increasing comfort and allowing you to grip the mouse more firmly.
Along with the standard Left and Right buttons (which are both individual switches for better response), you will also find a scroll-wheel and middle-click button, along with two buttons on both the left and right sides of the mouse. These can be configured for additional functionality.
Speaking of buttons, the packaging of the Pugio also comes with an ROG accessory kit. This contains two additional Omron switches along with 2 magnetic side buttons.
So if you’re not a fan of having side buttons, you can simply pop out the two buttons on either side of the mouse and replace then with the side buttons that are included in the accessory kit.
Meet the Asus ROG Pugio (Credits: ASUS ROG)
Once the replacement buttons are attached, the side buttons lose all functionality so make sure you replace only the side you won’t be using.
The ROG Pugio also has a braided 2-meter long cable so that even the largest of tables and desktop surfaces can accommodate it. In terms of the mouse hardware itself, the ROG Pugio packs a 7,200DPI optical sensor with an acceleration of 30g. A maximum polling rate of 1,000Hz ensures that every single movement, no matter how minuscule, is recorded by the mouse. This is what makes you get those epic split-second headshots and no-scope kills.
The aesthetics of the Pugio are best described once plugged into a PC or Laptop. The ROG Pugio has three addressable RGB zones.
The colors and lighting effects of these zones can be controlled by the accompanying Asus ROG Armoury software (which you will have to download separately). Once downloaded and installed, you have all the tools required to make the maximum use of the ROG Pugio.
So is the Asus ROG Pugio worth it?
Well, that comes down to a matter of personal preference. Priced at LKR 12,000/-, the ROG Pugio isn’t exactly a cheap mouse. But then again, given what you’re getting, at that price, you’re not likely to find anything else in the market.
The fact that the mouse is ambidextrous also means that you can comfortably use all the functions of the ROG Pugio without compromising on comfort.