mrekk's Tablet Setup

mrekk uses a Wacom One Small tablet for competitive osu! play. The Wacom One Small is a budget-friendly pen display tablet that has become popular among mid-level and competitive rhythm game players because of its responsive surface and reliable tracking at a lower price point than premium Wacom models.

mrekk, a top-ranked osu! player from Austria, has used this tablet as his primary input device during ranked play and tournament matches. The Wacom One Small offers a 6-inch active area, which is compact enough for fast cursor movement but large enough to maintain precision during high-speed streams and jumps—two technical demands that define competitive osu! gameplay.

The tablet's pen has minimal latency and consistent pressure sensitivity, which matters for maintaining accuracy during extended play sessions. Many competitive players choose the Wacom One Small specifically because it balances cost, durability, and performance without the premium price tag of Wacom Pro or Intuos Pro models.

Key Takeaways

  • mrekk plays on a Wacom One Small tablet, which features a 6-inch active area and responsive pen tracking.
  • The Wacom One Small is a mid-range tablet chosen by many competitive osu! players because it offers good performance without the cost of premium Wacom models.
  • Tablet choice in osu! depends on personal preference for active area size, pen feel, and budget rather than a single "best" option.
  • Players often switch tablets or adjust their grip and sensitivity settings over time, so mrekk's current setup may differ from his past equipment.

Why Competitive osu! Players Choose the Wacom One Small

The Wacom One Small has become a standard choice in the osu! community because it sits at the intersection of affordability and performance. Compared to entry-level tablets, it has better pen accuracy and lower latency. Compared to professional-grade tablets, it costs significantly less while still handling the demands of ranked play and tournaments.

The 6-inch active area is large enough to allow players to make full-arm movements for jumps and streams without running out of tablet space, but small enough that players do not have to move their arm excessively for single-tap sections. This size has become a de facto standard in competitive rhythm gaming.

The pen itself requires no batteries and has consistent pressure sensitivity across the entire active area, which means players can rely on the same response whether they are tapping near the center or at the edges of the tablet.

How Tablet Choice Affects osu! Performance

In osu!, your tablet choice affects how quickly you can move your cursor, how precisely you can land on circles, and how comfortable you feel during long play sessions. A tablet with high latency will feel sluggish and make fast streams harder to hit. A tablet with an active area that is too small forces you to make cramped movements; one that is too large requires excessive arm travel.

The pen's surface texture also matters—a rougher surface provides more friction and control, while a smoother surface allows faster cursor movement. Players often experiment with different tablets or add grip tape and pen grips to adjust the feel until they find what works for their playstyle.

mrekk's choice of the Wacom One Small suggests he prefers a balance between speed and control, with a compact form factor that allows for both precise single-tap accuracy and fast stream play.

Other Popular Tablets in Competitive osu!

While mrekk uses the Wacom One Small, other top players use different tablets based on personal preference. The Huion H950P is another common choice, offering a larger active area and lower cost. The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is favored by some players for its smooth pen feel and compact size. Wacom Intuos Pro tablets are used by players who prefer premium build quality and are willing to pay more.

There is no single "best" tablet for osu!—the choice depends on your hand size, playstyle, budget, and personal preference for pen feel and surface texture. Many competitive players have tried multiple tablets over their careers and switched based on what felt most comfortable during ranked play.

Tablet Settings and Sensitivity in osu!

Beyond the physical tablet itself, osu! players adjust in-game sensitivity settings to match their tablet and playstyle. A player using a smaller tablet might increase sensitivity so the cursor moves farther per inch of pen movement. A player using a larger tablet might decrease sensitivity to maintain precision.

Players also adjust raw input settings, which determine whether the game reads the tablet's raw position data or applies the operating system's pointer acceleration. Most competitive players use raw input enabled to eliminate any lag or smoothing that the operating system might introduce.

mrekk's sensitivity settings are tuned to his specific tablet and hand position, which is why switching tablets often requires a period of adjustment even for experienced players.

Pen Grip and Tablet Positioning

How you hold the pen and position the tablet on your desk affects your performance as much as the tablet model itself. Some players grip the pen like a pencil, while others hold it at a steeper angle closer to the tablet surface. Some players position the tablet directly in front of them, while others angle it or place it to the side.

Competitive players often experiment with grip pressure, pen angle, and tablet position to find the setup that minimizes fatigue and maximizes speed and accuracy. A tablet that feels uncomfortable with one grip might feel perfect with a different hand position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play competitive osu! with a mouse instead of a tablet?

Yes, many players compete with a mouse, and some top-ranked players use mouse-only or mouse and keyboard. However, tablets are more common in high-level play because they allow faster cursor movement and more consistent aim over long sessions. Your choice depends on what you are comfortable with.

Is the Wacom One Small the best tablet for osu!?

No—there is no single best tablet. The Wacom One Small is popular because it balances cost and performance, but other tablets like the Huion H950P and XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 are equally viable. Your best tablet is the one that feels most comfortable to you during play.

How much does a Wacom One Small cost?

Prices vary by retailer and region, but the Wacom One Small typically costs between $40 and $80. It is one of the more affordable tablets suitable for competitive play, which is part of why it is popular in the osu! community.

Do I need to replace my tablet pen regularly?

Pen nibs wear down over time with heavy use and may need replacement every few months to a year depending on how much you play. Wacom sells replacement nibs separately, and they are inexpensive. You will notice the pen feeling less responsive or scratchy when the nib is worn.

Can I use a tablet designed for drawing in osu!?

Yes, drawing tablets work in osu!, but they are often larger and heavier than gaming tablets, which can make fast movements more tiring. Gaming-focused tablets like the Wacom One Small are designed with the smaller active area and lighter weight that rhythm game players prefer.