08 Mar 2025 3 min read Gear

🍱 Current Setup: March 2025

A picture of my setup

Gaming was easy until about four years ago when the onset of my neuromuscular condition (still undiagnosed) made it increasingly difficult. But that doesn’t mean I stop trying. Lately, I’ve found a setup that actually works well for me, letting me enjoy Diablo IV—my first Diablo experience—for nearly an hour before my arms start to tire. That might not sound like much, but in my world, that’s a huge win.

The Setup

I’m using the Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) with a mix of Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit switches, carefully arranged to maximize my comfort and endurance. Here’s how I have it set up:

🎮 Joystick Usage

Diablo IV has been surprisingly manageable because it only requires one joystick for movement. That means I can swap the joystick between hands every few minutes, giving each one a break and extending my playtime.

🕹️ Primary Buttons: Light Touch Switches

Fast or frequent button presses wear my arms out quickly, so I needed a way to offload that work. My solution? Lip presses.

I mounted light-touch switches on a phone holder with an adjustable arm and clamp (this one). Positioned close to my mouth, I can easily tap these buttons for attacks, interacting, and dodging. This small adjustment has made a huge difference in how long I can play without fatigue setting in.

✋ Secondary Buttons: Large Switches for My Hands

For less frequent actions, I use my hands to hit larger switches in my setup. These require more force, but their larger size means I can press them with my whole hand instead of relying on my fingers. The smaller muscles in my forearms that control my fingers fatigue much faster than the larger muscles used to move my entire fist onto a button, making this setup far more sustainable for me.

🛋 Organization: The NerdyTec Couchmaster

One of the best upgrades to my setup has been the NerdyTec Couchmaster. It isn't the cheapest option, but it helps in two big ways:
✔ Keeps everything organized – I’m not fumbling around trying to find buttons.
✔ Great wire management – The internal compartment helps me keep cables out of the way, making it much faster to jump into a game without the usual setup struggle. It also makes it much easier to move the setup around and put away without taking everything apart.

The Verdict

This setup has been a game-changer. It’s the first time I’ve been able to consistently play an action-heavy game like Diablo IV without frustration from fatigue setting in too quickly. That said, it’s not perfect—I still haven’t found a setup that works well for games with more complex controls, like Tears of the Kingdom.

If you’re looking for an adaptive setup that minimizes arm strain and maximizes playtime, I highly recommend trying a mouth-based input system and good cable management to speed up setup time.