descentchampions.org

All,

I love this game with all of my heart. I have found that my life outside of Descent has hindered my ability to be all I can be. I've always considered myself a competitive player in this game, however, I have found that while I progress in my journey to be #1 gold, I have a physical hindrance.

Backstory....

I've played in metal/hardcore bands since the age of 15. At the age of 21, I was unfortunate enough to run into an incident with a guitar string and human flesh. For all those wondering... the string always wins. The first live performance I ever played, I broke a string 30 seconds into the en-devour. I tried to move the string out of the way, but instead pulled it through my finger all the way to the bone. This severed an tendon and a nerve on my middle finger of the right hand. Months of surgery and rehab later.... I have a finger that always feels like it has an elastic band around it (Up until now).

I know you are all saying... what does this have to do with Descent? You don't even use the middle finger on a joystick!!

Well... when you play for an extended period of time, it causes you to lose feeling in your entire right hand. My hand fell asleep playing an anarchy game recently. Pins and needles. On top of that, when I'm not playing I have serious pains through my entire hand. It stops at the wrist, so i know its not carpel T or anything.... It has to do with the damage.

I have a few options at this point.

1. Switch to mouse and KB combo
2. Create some outrageous device to keep my middle finger straight while I play.(May not resolve issue)
3. Fight through it and hope that it gets better.
4. Go to a specialist and say "Why can'ts I play Descent now! FIX ME!"

The reason I bring this up here is because I am having issues using my hand in day to day activities since I started playing again. I love this game, but I won't allow it to hinder the ability to shake someones hand correctly.

This is the first time I've realized I'm not 100% the man I used to be so it is a little unsettling.

I'll keep you all updated as I figure out what to do. Any advise or ideas are welcome. I would rather look like a fool than not be able to play.

I was a keyboard only player till the day I quit in '98. I came back last month trying to play keyboard only for a few days to find out that my right hand would start to hurt so much that I was asking myself the same questions you are right now. I had many people talk me into using the mouse. I can play for days at a time now without an issue physically. You already have a mouse try it out in single player and see if that helps the hand at all. If it does then slowly work back into multiplayer. It will probably be painful and trust me I still hit the wrong buttons being about three/four weeks new to the mouse. If you need any help with anything let me know.

Yeah, give mouse a shot and see if it's any different/better. I switched to mouse when I came back..I sucked for a bit...but eventually you figure it out and are back where you were skill-wise before long.
Also, you don't have to build a contraption to keep your middle finger straight...they already build them for you...a basic splint.

also, you can get the Logitech G700 mouse and not use your middle finger at all if you don't want to as there are extra buttons for your thumb to use.

Logitech G600/G700, Razer Naga/Naga Hex, and two others I can't remember give you more than 3 buttons on the side. I use the Naga for all my siding around. I'm sure I am odd doing it this way but its pretty much the same setup as it was when I was keyboard only but now I use one thumb to do what three fingers did on the keyboard.

Using a splint is a potentially good idea. So is changing controllers.

I'll buy some popsicles tonight and give the splint a whack.

Just look at it this way. If you get mad your middle finger is always up. With a splint.

Meh @ Option 1. I know that for some people, if you're not playing with your controller of choice, you're not playing Descent. It's the way I feel about 100% keyboard (although I am trying to play with mouse...), and I know a lot of pilots who wouldn't even want to try to play any other way.

Options 2 and 4 are honestly your best bet, with 4 being the most likely to resolve your issue. However, getting a doctor involved certainly can be expensive.

With that said, something to consider:

I have been fighting through a frozen shoulder for about a year now. Last fall, the pain started to become almost intolerable, so I swallowed my pride and went to a specialist, and boy am I glad I did, that is when I learned what's wrong with my shoulder for the first time. While not a whole lot can be done for a frozen shoulder, it helped me understand exactly what the issue was, and what I can expect in terms of it getting better. I was so relieved that I didn't do something like snap a tendon or break something, but at the same time I am looking at potentially another year before the pain goes away and I get my full range of motion back.

I don't know how much a doctor can do for you since your injury has to do with what likely is long-term damage, but if your hand is falling asleep and it's not something that you were told might happen, I would strongly recommend seeing your doctor to potentially learn whether or not you're causing even further damage, or if there may be something really simple that you can do, such as wear a splint, to fix the issue. Sure, try the home remedy of the popsicle stick but if that doesn't work, I'd highly recommend getting it looked at if it's affordable.