How to choose your Artisan mousepad ?

Choosing the right gaming mouse pad can have a significant impact on your in-game performance or your comfort during office work. That's why at Maxesport we turned to THE favourite brand of pro players: Artisan! Known for its high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, Artisan offers several mouse pad ranges, each meeting specific needs in terms of speed, control and comfort.

In this guide, we'll help you understand the differences between each surface, choose the perfect base type and find the ideal size for your usage.

The different Artisan mouse pad surfaces

The strength of Artisan mouse pads lies in the diversity of their surfaces, letting you match your choice to your playstyle.

Here's a detailed overview of the models on offer:

Artisan TYPE-99: the ultimate pad for precision and stability

The TYPE-99 is the pad offering the greatest stopping power:

• A heavily controlled surface with more resistance than the Zero.
• With its progressive glide, it delivers perfect stability throughout your movements.
• Used by Less, electronic, Snax and our French player Maka.

Ideal for: competitive players who want absolute control in games like Valorant or CS2.

Artisan Zero: the perfect balance between hybrid and control

The Zero is the most popular pad among Valorant and CS2 pro players. It allows ultra-precise adjustments and is a perfect fit for low-sens players.

• Rough surface delivering a controlled glide.
• Excellent durability, perfect for intensive use.
• Used by Demon1, johnqt, Suygetsu and w0nderful.

Ideal for: players looking for solid control and very low glide.

Artisan Hien: a fast pad with good command

The Hien is known for its slightly grainy coating, which provides a smooth yet controlled glide. It offers more speed than the Zero while keeping excellent stopping power.

• Its special texture reduces friction from PTFE skates, encouraging fast, precise movements.
• Excellent durability thanks to its synthetic fibre coating.
• Used by marteen, Sayf and Grubinho.

Ideal for: duelists/entry fraggers looking for good initial speed and decent stopping power.

Artisan Hayate Otsu: smoothness and precision

The Hayate Otsu is a softer, smoother alternative to the Hien. It offers excellent control while allowing a fast, stable glide.

• Tightly woven, smooth cloth coating, ideal for consistent, snag-free aim.
• A good compromise between speed and control, popular in MOBAs.
• Used by N4RRATE, Perfecto and Jinggg.

Ideal for: those who want a smooth glide with minimal resistance.

Artisan Key-83: endless flicks

The Key-83 is a balanced-speed model with a hexagonal weave pattern, delivering a smooth glide in every direction.

• Slightly rough texture, ideal for precise sensory feedback.
• Perfect for games requiring diagonal and/or unpredictable movements.
• Used by NiKo, Twistzz and Keiko.

Ideal for: players who like a versatile surface and stable mouse tracking.

Artisan Raiden: ultra fast and friction-free

The Raiden is built for players after an ultra-fast glide with minimal friction.

• Smooth, silky surface, reducing the pad's resistance to a minimum.
• Recommended for high sensitivity (high DPI) users.
• Used by Reps, Vanyak3kk and free1ng.

Ideal for: players who prefer ultra-fast movements without resistance.

Choosing the right base: XSOFT, SOFT or MID?

Artisan offers three base types that influence glide feel and control:

• XSOFT (very soft): absorbs pressure well, perfect for low-sens players looking for increased stopping power.
• SOFT (soft): a compromise between comfort and responsiveness, suited to all player types.
• MID (firm): ideal for a consistent glide, with better feedback.

Tip: if you play at low sensitivity, go for XSOFT or SOFT for more control. At high sensitivity, MID will suit you better. If you really can't decide, the SOFT version is the most versatile.

Classic or FX series?

Artisan pads come in two variants:

• Classic: no stitched edges, so less durable over time.
• FX: with stitched edges, preventing fraying and guaranteeing better durability.

If you're after a pad that lasts, go for the FX series.

Conclusion: which Artisan mouse pad should you choose?

• For total precision and stability → TYPE-99.
• For good initial speed with control → Zero.
• For a speed/control balance → Hien.
• For a smooth, consistent glide → Hayate Otsu.
• For flicks in every direction → Key-83.
• For an ultra-fast glide → Raiden.

By factoring in your sensitivity, your playstyle and your need for control, you'll find the Artisan pad that suits you perfectly!