Asus ROG Falchion

You Have My Sword

- CHRISTIAN GUYTON

ACCORDING TO WIKIPEDIA, the free encyclopedia, a falchion is a ‘onehanded, single-edged sword of European origin’. It’s clear how this factors into the naming convention at play here, since Asus also offers the chunkier Claymore keyboard within its Republic of Gamers brand, which can swap between 100 percent and 80 percent configurations. We’re half expecting it to release the ‘Zweihander’, a keyboard that somehow boasts a mythical 120 percent layout.

So, the Falchion is a compact gaming keyboard, with a 65 percent layout (making it slightly bigger than conventional 60 percent keyboards) and wireless connectivity. It has all the usual trappings of a premium gaming keyboard; per-key RGB lighting, Cherry MX mechanical switches, programmable macro keys. Straight out of the box, this feels like a premium product. The price tag matches, too; $160 is no small order for a gaming keyboard, but the Falchion does the work to justify the cost.

The overall build quality is great, with an aluminum top plate and Doubleshot textured PBT keycaps that feel satisfyingly grippy. On the underside of the keyboard are four rubber pads, with folding feet at the rear so you can angle the keyboard toward you. The Cherry MX Red switches in our review model have a very little wobble and feel good for both typing and gaming; MX Blue, Brown, and Silver Speed models are also available.