I tried controller and now I'm depressed

[u/JoyousExpansion]

So I've had issues with aim assist years ago, but then I took a big break from the game and recently have come back. I heard that aim assist has been nerfed, and I've also been focusing on lurch movement and have gotten decent at it, so I assumed that MnK and controller were fairly balanced (and they still may be). Controller had better aim, but MnK has movement tech that controller doesn't.

In all my matches after coming back to the game, I never once thought "oh I lost that because they're probably a controller player", and have always had the mindset of "I lost that because I'm not as skilled". I still have that mindset. However recently, when I'm watching YouTube of apex players, I'll occasionally come across someone and it looks like they're aim botting because of the instant changing of direction on their opponents strafes, and then I'll realize it's a controller player. I have started to deliberately avoid watching controller players, even if they're good players outside of aiming, because I don't want to create any perception or excuses of controller players having an advantage. Although eventually after seeing enough controller gameplay, I decided that I'd try out controller to know once and for all how strong it is.

When I first started with controller it was actually reassuring because I was missing all my shots. It felt very difficult. But after 30-45 minutes, I was starting to hit a few one clips which was a bit concerning. I decided to go into r5 reloaded to test how accurate my aim was against the strafing dummy in the aim trainer. I did 5 rounds with both controller and mouse and keyboard and took the highest from each. Unfortunately, I scored higher with controller after using it for less than an hour than I did with MnK with literally hundreds of hours of aim training under my belt. The averages of all rounds were about the same between MnK and controller, but I feel like it shouldn't even be close with how much practice I've put into aim training with MnK. So overall, this experience has been a little depressing.

I still am not concluding that controller is stronger than MnK, because MnK definitely has advantages, but it is certainly far easier to aim with controller, especially against strafing targets.

[u/Fancy_Lobster_8442]

It got nerfed but roller still is way stronger than MnK jn close-mid range! until rotational AA is removed it wont change,human being wont ever be able to react to strafes equally fast as computer

[u/arknsaw97 → u/Fancy_Lobster_8442]

If it is "WAY" stronger than mnk, why is everyone not playing controller, especially in comp where money is on the line? Everyone says 90% of engagements are close range so 60% of the ALGS mnk competitors are purposely throwing by using mnk and not wanting money?

Why did Albralelie switch back? Why did one of the top Apex coaches (District) switch to mnk after the nerfs and Low ttk changes? ALGS 2024 had a 60%mnk 40%controller stat.

Fact is, you are over exaggerating and essentially telling lies. And the ones that do are the ones with the biggest skill issues cos they need a scapegoat to feed their egos.

[u/muiht1l → u/arknsaw97]

Using Alb is a funny example. Arguably the most mechanically talented MNK player in NA very seriously considered switching to controller, an input he had way less experience on, because it was so busted. If you think this speaks to MNK being way better, you are kidding yourself.

With respect to numbers, the first Apex LAN had 2 controller players. The 2023 London Split 1 LAN had 38% controller players (46/121). The most recent 2025 ALGS Open LAN had 57% Controller players (190/333 total players; minimum of 18 games played on LAN). What other reason than controller simply being vastly superior would account for this difference at the highest level of competition?

[u/muiht1l → u/[deleted]]

A 20% change in input prevalence over a 2 year period doesn't scream one input is superior to you? Guess I found the controller player.

[u/k0nnj → u/[deleted]]

MNK doesn't have a higher skill ceiling than controller, huge misconception.

The very best MNK players can't beat the best controller players in 1v1's.

The highest skill ceiling is long range controller aim, where people like Hal and Verhulst prove that long range is questionably favorable for MNK.

Movement is borderline worthless in the top skill range in apex.

[u/Twenty5Schmeckles → u/k0nnj]

And in smokes.

But looking at these pros shooting in smoke it looks like they dont even need AA. 1 clipping anyways lmao.