As part of CES 2023, ASUS ROG unveiled a variety of input devices, including the ROG Falchion Ace wired 65% gaming keyboard. In addition to its very compact design and ROG NX Mechanical switches, it aims to impress gamers with high-quality PBT Doubleshot keycaps, an interactive touch panel, and RGB lighting, among other features. The ROG Falchion Ace is available in black and white and with Red, Brown and Blue switch types. For our review of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace, we have the black model with red switches.
Specifications of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace
| Key switch type | ROG NX Mechanical: Red |
| Switch types offered | ROG NX Mechanical: Red / Brown / Blue |
| Replaceable Switches | no |
| Keyboard layout (Full/TKL) | 65% |
| Keyboard size (Full/TKL) | 60% |
| Keycaps | PBT Doubleshot |
| Rollover technology | 100% N-Key Rollover |
| Features | Interactive touch panel, dual USB-C, sound-absorbing foam, keyboard sleeve, onboard memory, on-the-fly macro recording |
| Lighting | Per-Key RGB LEDs |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Dimensions | 305.79 x 101 x 37.5 mm |
| Weight | 599 g (without cable) |
| Color | black, white |
| Scope of delivery | ROG Falchion Ace keyboard, keyboard case, detachable braided USB-C to USB-A cable, quick start guide, ROG sticker |
| Price | € 119.90 * |
Scope of delivery
- Includes everything necessary plus a keyboard case to protect it from dust and for transport, …
- … but no keycap puller
The ASUS ROG Falchion Ace comes in a black and red box with an eye-catching ROG design, featuring the full keyboard including RGB lighting on the front. On the right edge, several icons refer to the support of Aura Sync as well as the use of PBT Doubleshot keycaps and ROG NX Mechanical switches, stickers indicate the installed switch type and layout. On the back, ASUS once again briefly explains some highlights of the ROG Falchion Ace and lists technical specifications of the keyboard.
Besides the ROG Falchion Ace, which is in its keyboard case, there is a braided USB-C to USB-A cable, a quick-start guide and several ROG stickers inside the box. A keycap puller, on the other hand, is not included, which is a bit surprising given the scope of delivery and the price.
Design and build quality of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace
- Compact 65% keyboard layout with a size of only 60%
- High-quality workmanship including PBT Doubleshot keycaps
- Additional features such as a left-side touch panel
The ASUS ROG Falchion Ace is completely black and very compact due to its 65% layout and only 68 keys. For this, separate F-keys, multimedia keys as well as the number pad are omitted. However, the former are at least available via an Fn key and numerous double assignments. The keycaps used are PBT Doubleshot keycaps, which belong to the best keycaps in terms of quality. They have a somewhat rough and textured surface, are particularly durable, and there is hardly any wear on the lettering due to the manufacturing process. Special features of the keyboard include special ROG switch stabilizers, which ensure even pressure on larger keys, such as Enter or the space bar, and sound-absorbing foam, which improves the acoustics. In addition to the weight of 599 g, four wide rubber linings on the underside prevent the keyboard from slipping. Further rubber linings are attached to the two keyboard feet of different heights, which result in a total of three different tilt angles.
Probably the biggest feature of the ROG Falchion Ace is the interactive touch panel integrated on the left side of the keyboard. Without illumination, this is hardly noticeable; with illumination, an LED bar, a plus and minus symbol on the side below it, and several dots between them light up. The touch panel has several controls and functions, which we will discuss in detail later.
The back of the keyboard also deviates somewhat from the usual picture. Here you will find not just one but two USB-C ports, both of which are solely for connecting to the computer. The ports are placed on the left and right, so you can choose the best position or connect two computers depending on your own setup. In the middle between them is a switch that can be used to select the active port.
Material quality and workmanship at a high level
The material quality and workmanship of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace can convince all around in the test. The PBT keycaps and also the case are very well manufactured and give no reason for criticism. Nothing creaks or wobbles, and the keyboard also makes a very stable impression.
Software and RGB lighting
- Various customization options in the ASUS Armoury Crate app
- Additional options thanks to touch bar with swipe gestures
- Many RGB effects and synchronization with other ASUS components
ASUS’ central app Armoury Crate is used as software. This is not only used to configure the keyboard, but also to control other ASUS components, such as motherboards and AiO coolers or fans connected to them. Users of other ASUS components will find this very handy, while the app just for the keyboard seems very cluttered. The ROG Falchion Ace can be selected via the Devices subitem. The software allows a variety of customization options for the keyboard and is clearly and intuitively designed.
The settings of the ROG Falchion Ace are divided into the sub-items buttons, touch bar, lighting and firmware update, and profiles can also be created and synchronized. Thanks to the onboard memory, up to six profiles can be stored directly on the keyboard. These can be freely configured and assigned with certain functions or macros, for example, via the sub-item Keys. The touch bar offers three additional keys and a total of up to five actions via two additional swipe gestures. The volume can be adjusted or muted with the standard settings, and the available actions are similar to those of the normal keys.
ASUS offers a total of eleven different and customizable effects for the illumination. These range from static lighting, pulsating, rainbow or quicksand to synchronization with the other RGB components of the system. You can also create your own effects via the Aura Creator. Of course, the lighting can also be turned off completely.
Practical test of the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace
- well-designed layout
- very pleasant typing and writing experience
In the practical test, the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace could convince. We only had to get used to the compact layout for a short time, but we quickly liked it. Despite the only 68 keys, the keyboard offers everything necessary, including multimedia control or illumination adjustment, thanks to many double assignments. The double assignments are always well legible despite their placement on the side of the keycaps. We found the typing feel very pleasant due to the high-quality PBT keycaps, their rough and textured surface, as well as the built-in stabilizers and switches. As usual, the red ROG NX Mechanical Switches do without acoustic or haptic feedback, the release point is 1.8 mm with a total travel of 4.0 mm. Those who want a feedback can alternatively reach for brown or blue ROG NX Mechanical Switches. The details, differences and also an audio sample can be found on the ASUS homepage.
In addition to the keys themselves and the built-in switches, the illumination is also appealing. This is very even and can be adjusted in four brightness levels for less distraction or also deactivated. With a variety of effects that can adjust brightness and speed, create your own effects, or sync with other Aura Sync compatible ASUS products, everyone can find the lighting that suits them. The lighting can also be adjusted directly via the keyboard in a limited way.
ASUS also offers an interesting and practical novelty with the innovative and interactive touch bar. The bar is easy to reach and the operating concept is also convincing. The three areas are sufficiently large and make it possible to blindly execute the right action at any time. The swipe gestures are also a good addition to the classic keys and allow changing the volume or zooming smoothly without a lot of clicks. This worked very precisely and reliably in the test.
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace review: Conclusion
Overall, the ASUS ROG Falchion Ace turns out to be a very good overall package in the test. The compact keyboard not only convinces with a pleasant layout, good switches, and clever additions like the ROG switch stabilizers, but also well-thought-out extras like the touch panel or dual USB-C. Thanks to its small dimensions, keyboard cover and onboard memory, the keyboard is also well suited for changing locations. Furthermore, it relies on PBT Doubleshot keycaps and generally offers a very high material and build quality. The points of criticism turn out to be manageable with the missing keycap puller, which is irritating due to the otherwise extensive scope of delivery, and a relatively high price.
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for money
90/100
The compact keyboard convinces in terms of technology and workmanship and offers, among other things, PBT keycaps and a practical touch bar.
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