An unusual moment from a recent LAN match went viral after viewers noticed fnl’s pre-map routine. On broadcast, the Nexus player is seen dipping his fingers into a cup of water and lightly moistening his cloth mousepad before each map. The clip quickly spread across Reddit and social media, prompting discussion that ranged from jokes to technical explanations — with experienced players noting a practical purpose behind the habit rather than superstition.
Friction control and consistent feel
The core idea behind this method is stabilizing the friction between the mouse and the mousepad. At LAN tournaments, playing conditions can differ significantly from bootcamps or home setups: temperature, air humidity, stage ventilation, and even desk materials can all vary.
Cloth mousepads are particularly sensitive to humidity. In dry environments, they tend to feel faster; in more humid conditions, they slow down. For low-sensitivity players who rely heavily on precise micro-adjustments, these subtle changes can disrupt muscle memory. Lightly moistening the surface allows players to artificially normalize glide, making mouse movement more predictable from map to map.
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fnl isn’t the only one
As Reddit users quickly noted, fnl is far from the first professional player to use this technique. One of the most frequently cited examples is Quartz, a hitscan DPS for Twisted Minds in the Overwatch Champions Series. Quartz has previously explained that wetting his mousepad helps him maintain consistent aim across different venues and countries, where humidity levels can vary dramatically.
Community members also recalled similar practices appearing sporadically in Counter-Strike history, though they were never common or widely discussed until now.
Why not glass or hard mousepads?
The clip also reignited debate about alternatives, such as glass or hard mousepads. According to many professional players, these options come with notable downsides for CS2:
- extremely low friction, making micro-corrections harder;
- reduced stopping power, which is critical in tactical shooters;
- fragility and inconvenience when traveling to LAN events;
- adaptation issues that don’t always translate well between environments.
A cloth mousepad — even when slightly damp — remains a more versatile and controlled option, and water is far easier to access at a tournament than specialized equipment.
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Small details that matter on LAN
The fnl story is yet another reminder of how marginal modern professional CS2 has become. On LAN, where millimeters of aim and consistency decide rounds, players pay attention to even the smallest details — including the moisture level of a mousepad.
What may look strange or amusing to spectators can, for a professional, be a simple and effective way to maintain comfort, confidence, and control at the highest level of competition.
