Updated on December 7, 9:14 p.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy.
Have you ever heard of players using tape measures in esports tournaments?
Imagine you’re watching an esports match. Everyone on the screen is getting ready to go head-to-head against their opponents, when suddenly, a player whips out a ruler and starts measuring the distance from his face to his monitor.
Wait, what?
Throughout esports history, we’ve witnessed a few eye-catching players who use measuring devices such as rulers and measuring tapes to quantify their professional setup before a crucial match. Here’s a list of pros who value accuracy above all else.
Five most memorable esports pros and their tape measures
5. Detonation FocusMe Ceros’ pre-game League of Legends ritual
If you are a fan of the League of Legends Japan League (LJL), you’ll be familiar with Detonation FocusMe’s former mid laner Yoshida “Ceros” Kyohei, who was known for carrying out a pre-game ritual by measuring his setup.
Ceros used a yellow, foldable carpenter’s ruler, as seen during their match against Cloud9 at the Play-In Groups of the LoL Worlds 2018.
He retired in early 2022 and is now DFM’s coach.
4. Detonation FocusMe’s Evi and his ruler at MSI 2021
Another former Detonation FocusMe member, top laner Murase “Evi” Shunsuke, also follows the teachings of his senpai (senior) Ceros by perfecting his professional setup before a series.
We saw Evi and his ruler in action at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2021. The optimal distance from the keyboard edge to the monitor screen is 35 centimeters, as seen in his setup. He is also using the same type of ruler as Ceros.
3. Gamsu’s setup in Overwatch League
Former Overwatch League player Young-jin “Gamsu” Noh is a little more elaborate with his setup. He’s was shown measuring the distance of the keyboard and monitor from edge to edge on the table.
Gamsu used a standard steel tape measure and put it to good use before his Overwatch League matches.
2. Starcraft II’s Flash and his trusty ruler
One of the earliest esports players to care enough about the ergonomics of their setup is Lee “Flash” Young Ho, a Korean Starcraft II player.
Flash is known for using a simple, clear school ruler to angle his keyboard to the right degree to maintain the perfect distance between his face and the monitor.
Here is a three-dimensional simulation of Flash’s setup as projected by Reddit user u/vorxaw.
Flash’s ruler is now a part of the display at the Sangam-dong Hall of Fame in Seoul, South Korea, where his nickname “the God of Starcraft II” is immortalized.
1. Tokido’s tape measure rules Street Fighter V
We have seen Taniguchi “Tokido” Hajime’s tape measure a couple of times not just during Street Fighter tournaments but also outside of them.
Tokido was even spotted using his popular tape measure during the wedding of his fellow pro player, Tatsuya “Haitani” Haitani.
Since the guy lives and breathes measurements, Tokido’s tape measure even became the center of a skit at the SFV Invitational 2018, showing the Japanese player measuring everything from Cheez-It crackers to water bottles.
His previous organization, Echo Fox, even manufactured special Tokido tape measures and gave them away to help 25 lucky fans measure their successes in life.
Why do esports players use tape measures?
Some esports players use tape measures to optimize their current setup and playing environment to ensure they get the most accurate layout.
Players try to be as consistent and identical as possible with the setups that they have at home, or used during practice and scrims, and to do so, they rely on measurements.
“We could debate whether or not this is actually effective in terms of recreating that environment,” said shoutcaster Christopher “Montecristo” Mykles. “I think psychologically it’s a ritual to get yourself in the mode to play, and at the very least I think it can work.”
The ideal PC setup varies for every player — from the height of their monitor, their keyboard placement, down to the distance from the player’s face to the monitor. What’s important is that these esports athletes are comfortable enough with their setup to compete, whether it be through tape measurements or other rituals.
Follow ONE Esports on Facebook and Twitter for more esports news, guides, and highlights.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about League of Legends MSI 2021
