ASUS - ROG Falchion Ace 75% Wired Magnetic Hall Effect RGB Gaming Keyboard with Hot-Swappable ROG HFX V2 Switches - Black

The ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE is a great follow up to the previous iteration. It's a fresh new design including HFX V2 magnetic switches, a new ROG Hall sensor, a little bit more room with a 75% layout, hot swappable sockets, and an adjustment wheel that lets you tune in the actuation point without having to pull up the software. I like to see how serious ASUS is about Hall effect. - Unboxing - I love opening up ROG packaging. They always seem to have a great design and packaging. The one thing that jumped out at me was the carrying case. It's a nice touch and allows it to travel easily. The case is just bulky enough, protective, and has all the pockets you need for the extras inside. Inside the box you will find the keyboard, an angled USB-C cable that helps you route the cable away from your mouse hand, and the typical documentation/paperwork. - Design/Build - The 75HE has metal plates on the top and bottom giving it a quality look and feel. It feels solid with no flex. The feet have 2 major tilt angles (one small and one large foot.) There's a function row up top, a slick looking touch bar above it, and a small wheel in the upper right corner. There's also a well placed rapid trigger button that you can toggle without jumping into the software. It has the typical rubber underneath to hold it in place. - Specs & Features - -75% Layout -Hot Swappable ROG HFX V2 Magnetic -Actuation Range: .1mm to 3.5 mm, steps .01mm per key (you can fine tune any key to get your setup just right) -Polling rate: 8000Hz wired (.125ms response) -ROG Hall Sensor -Dampening: 6 Layers! -Connectivity is wired only, but the angled connector does help -Software: Gear Link (Web based tool) This is really easy to use and very responsive, I had no problems with it -Extras: Rapid Trigger toggle switch, Speed Tap, Per-Key RGB, Carrying case, NKRO - Performance - This keyboard aces one of my most important tests. It feels great in my hands. The keys feel smooth and responsive, but most importantly, Fast! In FPS shooters that I play, Overwatch, COD, and CS2, Rapid Trigger and Speed Tap were a lifesaver. The keys sound great too. The dampening gives you a quiet keyboard that has a quality clicking sound without any ping or reverb. The Gear link software is very responsive and being able to tune actuation points mid-game is a big improvement. A couple of features I love are being able to quickly scan through the RGB presets and adjust lighting right from my keyboard. ASUS has really set this keyboard up to make quick adjustments in-game or between games without loading up the software. -Pros/Cons- Pros - Stable HFX V2 Switches that can adjust as low as .01mm - Hot-swappable sockets which is very rare for Hall Effect keyboards - Adjustable wheel and RT toggle - Gear Link is quick and responsive, low resource - Dampening is great - Premium Travel case Suggestions/Needs Improvement - No wireless option - Touch Bar might be hard to access for some - I have seen 4mm travel on other keyboards, this one sits at 3.5mm The ROG Falchion Ace 75 ZHE is a nice improvement over the previous iteration. It's obvious they are listening to consumers. It's a premium build, it has top tier magnetic switches, and clever design and controls. If you're an FPS player that wants every feature in a premium, compact setup, this is it. It's also great for any gamer that's looking for a really fast keyboard with premium features and a small footprint. I definitely recommend it!

Unboxing: This Thing Means Business The moment you open the box, it’s obvious ASUS wasn’t messing around with the Falchion Ace. The keyboard comes tucked inside a surprisingly sturdy hard-shell case - not just foam or cardboard, but an actual protective case that feels like it belongs with high-end gear. It keeps everything secure, organized, and honestly makes the whole unboxing feel a little luxurious. And that case isn’t just for show. If you travel for work, bounce between setups, or hit LAN events, it turns the Falchion Ace into a genuinely portable keyboard. Everything has its own compartment, so you’re not digging around for cables or accessories. Speaking of cables: the included 90-degree angled USB cable is such a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing you appreciate immediately. It keeps your desk cleaner, reduces strain on the port, and just looks better. More companies should do this. Typing & Daily Use: Shockingly Comfortable If you spend long hours typing or gaming, comfort becomes a big deal fast. The Falchion Ace nails this. The switches feel crisp and responsive without being fatiguing, and the layout hits that sweet spot between compact and fully functional. The 75% size is perfect if you want to save desk space without sacrificing important keys. It’s compact enough for small setups or travel, but never feels cramped. And the weight is just right - solid and premium, but still easy to move around when you need to. Whether you’re grinding through work emails or marathon gaming sessions, this keyboard stays comfortable and consistent. Gaming Performance: Fast, Precise, and Reliable When milliseconds matter, this keyboard absolutely delivers. The wired connection keeps input lag nonexistent, and the Magnetic Hall Effect switches feel incredibly consistent. Every keypress registers exactly when you expect it to. Anti-ghosting works flawlessly, so even complicated combos or frantic inputs never get lost. It’s the kind of reliability you want when you’re deep in a match and can’t afford missed inputs. The hot-swappable ROG HFX V2 switches are a huge bonus. If you ever want to try a different feel or replace a switch, it takes seconds. It turns the keyboard into something you can tweak and evolve over time instead of a locked-in purchase. Customization: Surprisingly Smooth Software ASUS’s companion app is actually… good. It’s clean, responsive, and doesn’t bury simple settings behind confusing menus. RGB customization is extensive without being overwhelming, and the lighting itself looks fantastic - bright, smooth, and customizable down to the smallest detail. You can set up profiles for different games, match your room lighting, or keep things subtle for work. Whatever you want, the software makes it easy instead of frustrating. Is It Worth the Price? Absolutely Yes, the Falchion Ace sits on the pricier side of mechanical keyboards. But once you factor in the build quality, the hot-swappable switches, the excellent software, and the overall durability, the price makes sense. This isn’t a keyboard you replace in a year. It’s one you keep, upgrade, and rely on for a long time. Cheaper boards might save you money upfront, but they won’t match the longevity or consistency you get here. If you’re serious about gaming, content creation, or just want a premium keyboard that feels great every day, the Falchion Ace is absolutely worth considering. I can recommend it without hesitation.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve used regular mechanical 60% keyboards. I’ve never used a Hall-effect keyboard before, and it’s an odd change that I’m still trying to get used to. I built two profiles that I switch between. FN + 1 is my first profile with a higher actuation point on the keys, which helps with the office work that I do. Essentially, you have to press the key longer for it to activate. I’ve been using around a 2mm actuation currently, but that continues to change. My default profile, my gaming profile, which is FN + 6, I set the actuation to .10mm. So that means even if I barely tap the key, it registers the input. When I game, I also flip the rapid trigger switch, and I immediately notice that my keystrokes reset quicker. Surprisingly enough, the profiles also saved the Windows Lock that I keep turned on for my gaming profile. I do not want to accidentally press the Windows key in the middle of a match. Those three features, to me, are the main selling points of the keyboard. The build quality is also insane. The bottom construction is made of solid metal. The clicks on the keys feel great and sound great. It produces a solid thock sound. You also have keyboard feet that have two levels of height adjustment. Out of every keyboard I've ever owned, this is the best sounding and best construction so far. However, that is also because it is the most expensive. The Gear Link software is better than using something like Armoury Crate. After you plug in the keyboard, it suggests that you visit the website as a notification. It takes a couple of clicks, and you're there. No extra application installation necessary. Within 30 seconds, you’re on a website that helps you adjust every feature of your keyboard without a single download. There is a touch bar on the top, which reminds me of the touchpad on the PS5 controller. With the exception that it has some ridges on it. In addition, it is paired with a lightbar that displays the level of the adjustment you’re making. In this area, you will also find the caps lock indicator, Windows lock indicator, which settings you are able to change at that moment (volume only, media only, brightness only), actuation adjustment, or rapid trigger adjustment. And with that touchbar, you can control volume, media track, brightness of the keyboard, and a custom option. Most keyboards have a dedicated FN + key combo for this. This slightly stands out because you can double tap it with the volume option enabled and mute your pc. If keyboard brightness is enabled, you can double tap that section to turn the keyboard lighting on the keyboard completely off. The double tap is a hit-or-miss sometimes, though. It does not always work; I still have not figured out the correct way to trigger it every time. You can cycle between the options you can change with the circle button. It's nice to have another input to control brightness, media, and whatnot, but other keyboards just use keys. And that's fine by me. Even this keyboard has those media and brightness keys still. It's a slight gimmick, but at least they are trying to stand out from other keyboard companies. Performance is another tab, which has two polling options: 8000Hz or 1000Hz. I would like to see other options implemented here. There is more research coming out nowadays that 8k is a marketing gimmick and increases CPU usage heavily without much to gain from it. Something like 2000 or 3000 might be something people may want someday. For the lighting effects, you have about ten to pick from. I just use static so it's not distracting while I work or play. Unfortunately, you cannot set each key to its own individual color. I would like to see that soon. I would use that for the volume function keys or WASD. You can also reassign the keys. You can create custom function buttons. You have every letter to pick from, four numbers, and about 15 other keys. There are some pre-assigned, like the profiles mentioned earlier, or like FN + F5, which is play/pause. Sorry to say, but I have no input on the macros, calibration, or speed tap features since I don't use those. I wish I had more to say about those above features, but it's something I've never used and never plan on using. Like, I don't play CS:GO, so I would never use speed tap. To tell you the truth, every feature I used, I had to play around with. There are no guides I could find, and the website isn’t fully helpful in explaining every feature. Sometimes you’ll find an “i” explaining one of those functions. For example, the calibration page does not tell you at all what it does. The only informational button on that page tells you what switches are supported. In the box, you get a carrying case for the keyboard. A 6-foot ROG branded cable. A 90 degree USB C side and a USB-A side. A key cap puller. A warranty packet. Some stickers. A simple instruction guide. A soft bag to wrap the keyboard in. And a CTRL replacement key if you don’t want to see the Copilot logo. So overall, I believe it to be worth the money. The multiwheel is cool also. It is used to adjust the actuation point and rapid trigger if you don't want to visit the website. That feature I have not seen on any other hall effect keyboards. The touch panel to me is a gimmick, but I get why it's there, so they stand out. With the other features, the build quality, and insane keystroke sound, I believe it to be a keyboard worth getting over the cheaper competition. Also, I wrote this using this keyboard and enjoyed every audible thock it made, erm, still getting used to the keystrokes, however!

Like the title suggests, I'm generally very happy with this keyboard. I've never used ASUS peripheral hardware, but I have to give them credit for overall presentation, feature set, and general build quality. This keyboard is absolutely loaded and seems to check off most of the boxes that I'm looking for when it come to modern keyboards. PROS: - I'm a big fan of a 3.5mm bottom out spec and this keyboard abides. There are general tolerances between 3.4mm and 3.6mm, but this one just feels right for a better lack of terms.. It has an aluminum top plate and the HE switches themself feel very "HE" like. I don't know how to explain this, but some HE keyboards on the market feel closer to a standard mechanical custom build for typing alone and I'm trying to avoid that. These switches are made by TTC with ASUS and I'm absolutely happy with them. I think TTC is the best switch maker on the market per my preferences and experience with other keyboards, so no complaints here. Claim to have lower weight or force, but feel heavy enough at the same time. -GEARLINK web software is absolutely awesome. Done are the days of slowing down your PC and having tons of different programs open in regards to windows tray. I think this is the future of modern PC hardware, even with competitor brand options. -Build quality is exceptional and the custom features this keyboard has are very unique. One being that you can set actuation point on the fly, granted, I think a switch swap itself is more important.. so it's also limited in that regard. I prefer a 1.5mm-2mm default actuation. -Includes a traveling case! Perfect for travel/competitive gamers. CONS: -Black color KB attracts a lot of dust. I prefer lighter keyboards for this reason. I think the white version of this keyboard would solve that issue. -GEARLINK web software isn't 100% working with on the fly rapid trigger features. Likely needs another update since the SW is buggy in this area. -The rocker for the actuation point adjustment can't be used for a volume wheel. I'll admit, I was a tad disappointed in this. Especially because the left touchpad on the back of the KB (which controls volume and other functions) isn't as responsive as it should be. Overall I prefer a physical wheel. -Limited polling rate adjustment. Only 1000hz or 8000hz. OVERALL: I really like it. From physical feel itself, the keyboard is really hard to fault and the custom TTC X ASUS HFX v2 switches are amazing relative to competitor options. I don't think most people will be disappointed.. Especially in terms of a competitive gaming keyboard If I could make any suggestion to ASUS, it would be to recommend allowing the physical rocker to be configured for volume in addition to actuation/RT settings. Also again.. the black version does show dust! Just a warning! Overall 4/5. Not perfect, but better than most KB's I've used over the years.

TL:DR - It’s a unique “gaming first” keyboard that I really enjoy, but I don’t like the capacitive/resistive touch sensitive controls! The dial for the Hall Effect sensitivity is nice though! Changing the actuation point on the fly is nice. You can change the multifunction button to stuff. This keyboard took a little getting used to. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the fact I didn’t need to install software to customize it! I just had to go to the web app, and I was able to do firmware updates, and modify my keyboard exactly the way I wanted it to behave. The responsiveness and feel when typing wasn’t too bad, in fact I’d rate it one of the best. I didn’t get any double letters, and I didn’t feel like I had to push it down super far to get some response. I can easily use it for work as well as gaming and some educational stuff too! However, it’s not good for someone that changes their volume almost all the time! I am constantly changing volume because my desktop is my media device (shows, music, movies, YT Shows, etc.), as well as my gaming machine, and it’s also where I work from, doing virtual meetings, and what not. So having the volume slider not be a knob but instead a touch-sensitive strip on the back of the keyboard really irks me. It’s so counter intuitive for me and I really wish they didn’t do that! Luckily it’s all pretty customizable. So it’s just a gripe initially, but it can easily cater to your particular wants and needs. I like the fact it’s not super loud either. Typing is louder than say a plain jane keyboard, but noticeably quieter than other gaming keyboards. At the end of the day though, I do like the keyboard. I recommend it, there’s some cool features. I highly doubt you’ll dislike the keyboard if you had one!