Hand Tremors in Gaming

[AustimusTron]

Hi I struggle a lot with hand tremors mostly in aim heavy games. I have them due to a brain surgery I had a while ago. while it saved my life, it did give me some side effects. I try to play heroes like Punisher and Hawkeye etc etc and while I fully understand how to play them, due to my hand tremors it feels next to impossible to play types of heroes like that. My question is should I maybe try and change some settings to adapt with my hand tremors, or should I stick to non aim heavy heroes, or should I not torture myself and just find something else to play?

[Black Hammer]

I'd probably go with non-precision aim heroes. Punisher types who have volume of fire are definitely easier than Hawkeye. I have a similar issue (nerve damage in my arm from a car accident and then a work injury), and while I was a good enough shot for pro UT2004 back in the day, two decades and some injuries put an end to that.

As far as settings go, are you using a more pro setup with a massive desk pad and lots of mouse movement, or higher sensitivity on a small pad? One of those might work better for you than the other (I had to give up the big pad since some of my issues are in the elbow/shoulder).

I definitely aim for the tank/support types usually, or melee damage guys, since those usually require less quick precision and more good positioning and situational awareness.

[Shuyin178]

Learning melee heroes might be the best options for you, their attacks have a cone so you don't need to be dead on aiming.

A list of heroes for you to try learning, both melee and ones that don't require precise aim: [Starting with melee then ranged]

Vanguard:
Captain America, Hulk, Venom, Doctor Strange, Magneto, Peni Parker
Duelist:
Black Panther, Magik, Wolverine, Psylocke, Moon Knight, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man
Strategist:
Jeff, Cloak & Dagger, Mantis, Rocket Raccoon, (maybe) Loki

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by Black Hammer:

I'd probably go with non-precision aim heroes. Punisher types who have volume of fire are definitely easier than Hawkeye. I have a similar issue (nerve damage in my arm from a car accident and then a work injury), and while I was a good enough shot for pro UT2004 back in the day, two decades and some injuries put an end to that.

As far as settings go, are you using a more pro setup with a massive desk pad and lots of mouse movement, or higher sensitivity on a small pad? One of those might work better for you than the other (I had to give up the big pad since some of my issues are in the elbow/shoulder).

I definitely aim for the tank/support types usually, or melee damage guys, since those usually require less quick precision and more good positioning and situational awareness.

Thank you so much for the reply! I'm so sorry about your car accident. as far as my setup it is 100% not pro lol. I use a pretty small space for my gaming due to my life situation that I won't go into. HOWEVER it gets the job done and I can play my games.

I think I will go with what I wanted to do/what you said, which is stick to less aim heavy heroes and keep it like that. Better to play at my skill level, vs trying to be at a skill level where I am not. and not force something that is out of my control.

Cheers.

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by Shuyin178:

Learning melee heroes might be the best options for you, their attacks have a cone so you don't need to be dead on aiming.

A list of heroes for you to try learning, both melee and ones that don't require precise aim: [Starting with melee then ranged]

Vanguard:
Captain America, Hulk, Venom, Doctor Strange, Magneto, Peni Parker
Duelist:
Black Panther, Magik, Wolverine, Psylocke, Moon Knight, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man
Strategist:
Jeff, Cloak & Dagger, Mantis, Rocket Raccoon, (maybe) Loki

Thank you. Cap will be a easy pick for vanguard as he is my favorite hero.

[BarxBaron]

Sorry to hear about RL causing issues with our awesome hobby.

I understand to a much smaller extent.

As an older gamer the carpel-tunnel, aches, and pains do but a damper on your ability to just "lock-in" on certain archetypes...I think there are plenty of less aim dependant heros that still take skill and knowledge to use well. I'd lump some of the diving vanguards like Thor and Hulk into this, where positioning and knowing when to pop ur abilities seem to be more important than general aim.

I'd just stick with that as long as you are having fun with them, which is what you already said you'd do.

Also a suggestion, I think cloak and dagger is a good example of a support that requires less aim and a good amount of ability/game knowledge. Maybe give them a shot?

[PVT.Blueberry]

I have hand tremors but make it work, medications can reduce tremors depending on which type you have.... is essential tremor or resting tremor? If so maybe a heavier mouse will help with low sensitivity and big mouse pad. You will aim very well with practice. Also if you have a light mouse you can try pressing down into the mouse-pad when you need more accuracy to stabilize your shots. Claw grip works for me but there are different way to hold a mouse as well.


Im also left handed but game with righty mouse with essential tremor. I can hit my shots with above stated information.

[Black Hammer]

Originally posted by AustimusTron:

Originally posted by PVT.Blueberry:

I have hand tremors but make it work, medications can reduce tremors depending on which type you have.... is essential tremor or resting tremor? If so maybe a heavyer mouse will help with low sensitivity and big mouse pad. You will aim very well

essential tremor is what I have. also I never heard of a heavier mouse before unless you don't mean that literally. lol

It's probably literal. Some pricier gaming mice come with a section you can add dense weights to make the mouse less susceptible to micromovements. I stuck in all the weights mine came with just to see how it worked, and I liked it, so it's stayed that way.

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by PVT.Blueberry:

I have hand tremors but make it work, medications can reduce tremors depending on which type you have.... is essential tremor or resting tremor? If so maybe a heavier mouse will help with low sensitivity and big mouse pad. You will aim very well with practice. Also if you have a light mouse you can try pressing down into the mouse-pad when you need more accuracy to stabilize your shots. Claw grip works for me but there are different way to hold a mouse as well.


Im also left handed but game with righty mouse with essential tremor. I can hit my shots with above stated information.

essential tremor is what I have. also I never heard of a heavier mouse before unless you don't mean that literally. lol

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by Black Hammer:

Originally posted by AustimusTron:

essential tremor is what I have. also I never heard of a heavier mouse before unless you don't mean that literally. lol

It's probably literal. Some pricier gaming mice come with a section you can add dense weights to make the mouse less susceptible to micromovements. I stuck in all the weights mine came with just to see how it worked, and I liked it, so it's stayed that way.

oh wow. I might have to check that out someday. I use a mouse with a number pad on the side. makes playing mmorpgs with keybinds a lot easier.

[PVT.Blueberry]

Originally posted by AustimusTron:

Originally posted by PVT.Blueberry:

I have hand tremors but make it work, medications can reduce tremors depending on which type you have.... is essential tremor or resting tremor? If so maybe a heavyer mouse will help with low sensitivity and big mouse pad. You will aim very well

essential tremor is what I have. also I never heard of a heavier mouse before unless you don't mean that literally. lol

theres mice that can add weights to them, i use to have one. Right now i manage tremors with low sense and big mousepad. Not too low or you wont be able to do CQ. You can game dont let it stop you. There characters that require less precision to some degree if the tremors are worse depending on stress ,caffeine intake etc.

try holding the mouse tighter when you need to really aim, weighted objects reduce tremors. thats why there is weighted spoons/forks.

try to stay as calm as possible too, adrenaline makes termors more noticable

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by BarxBaron:

Sorry to hear about RL causing issues with our awesome hobby.

I understand to a much smaller extent.

As an older gamer the carpel-tunnel, aches, and pains do but a damper on your ability to just "lock-in" on certain archetypes...I think there are plenty of less aim dependant heros that still take skill and knowledge to use well. I'd lump some of the diving vanguards like Thor and Hulk into this, where positioning and knowing when to pop ur abilities seem to be more important than general aim.

I'd just stick with that as long as you are having fun with them, which is what you already said you'd do.

Also a suggestion, I think cloak and dagger is a good example of a support that requires less aim and a good amount of ability/game knowledge. Maybe give them a shot?

it's a struggle but I do what I can. also yeah I need to try more cloak and dagger and see how they feel.

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by PVT.Blueberry:

Originally posted by AustimusTron:

essential tremor is what I have. also I never heard of a heavier mouse before unless you don't mean that literally. lol

theres mice that can add weights to them, i use to have one. Right now i manage tremors with low sense and big mousepad. Not too low or you wont be able to do CQ. You can game dont let it stop you. There characters that require less precision to some degree if the tremors are worse depending on stress ,caffeine intake etc.

try holding the mouse tighter when you need to really aim, weighted thing reduce tremors. thats why there weighted spoons/forks.

I did try to play a few matches without caffeine as I do in fact drink coffee. But to no surprise it made no difference. also I have tried before to hold the mouse tighter but that makes the tremor worse for me. as my hands start getting twitchier/shakier. I tried breathing to see if maybe it's just nerves getting the better of me and that doesn't work.

it's really due to my brain surgery I had that gave me these hand tremors that only happen when trying to handle something delicately. That's also why I hate painting Warhammer 40K models as my hands start to shake.

Take the movie Dr. Strange for example. after the car wreck his hands shake like crazy trying to do something steady. that's what it's like for me trying to aim steady with my mouse. lol

[PVT.Blueberry]

Originally posted by AustimusTron:

Originally posted by PVT.Blueberry:

theres mice that can add weights to them, i use to have one. Right now i manage tremors with low sense and big mousepad. Not too low or you wont be able to do CQ. You can game dont let it stop you. There characters that require less precision to some degree if the tremors are worse depending on stress ,caffeine intake etc.

try holding the mouse tighter when you need to really aim, weighted thing reduce tremors. thats why there weighted spoons/forks.

I did try to play a few matches without caffeine as I do in fact drink coffee. But to no surprise it made no difference. also I have tried before to hold the mouse tighter but that makes the tremor worse for me. as my hands start getting twitchier/shakier. I tried breathing to see if maybe it's just nerves getting the better of me and that doesn't work.

it's really due to my brain surgery I had that gave me these hand tremors that only happen when trying to handle something delicately. That's also why I hate painting Warhammer 40K models as my hands start to shake.

Take the movie Dr. Strange for example. after the car wreck his hands shake like crazy trying to do something steady. that's what it's like for me trying to aim steady with my mouse. lol

there is a thing called a deep brain stimulator if its really bad. also another surgery and risky, good luck im sure youll find a way to work with what you are dealt.

[AustimusTron]

Originally posted by PVT.Blueberry:

Originally posted by AustimusTron:

I did try to play a few matches without caffeine as I do in fact drink coffee. But to no surprise it made no difference. also I have tried before to hold the mouse tighter but that makes the tremor worse for me. as my hands start getting twitchier/shakier. I tried breathing to see if maybe it's just nerves getting the better of me and that doesn't work.

it's really due to my brain surgery I had that gave me these hand tremors that only happen when trying to handle something delicately. That's also why I hate painting Warhammer 40K models as my hands start to shake.

Take the movie Dr. Strange for example. after the car wreck his hands shake like crazy trying to do something steady. that's what it's like for me trying to aim steady with my mouse. lol

there is a thing called a deep brain stimulator if its really bad. also another surgery and risky, good luck im sure youll find a way to work with what you are dealt.

Thank you. and I doubt it's really bad as this doesn't happen all the time. Just only situational stuff.