Enter ‘The Last Stand,’ a mousepad showcasing a stunning samurai-inspired design, crafted by Tenta-X — a bold, dynamic newcomer in the gaming gear world. Tenta-X is charging into the fray, taking direct aim at the Artisan brand with premium quality and striking aesthetics, all at a much lower price.
Disclaimer: this unit was sent out to me for testing purposed, however, Tenta-X had no influence on this review.
Testing Scenarios
Testing period: 4 weeks in total, gaming sleeve was not used.
Break-in period: no noticeable break-in.
Mice used: Zaopin Z1 Pro (stock skates), RAWM MH-01 Pro (stock teflon black skates and Silver Fox dots), RAWM ES21-Pro (Magic Ice dots), Waizowl Cloud XS (stock skates).
Games played: QuakeWorld, Battlefield 1 and V, CS2.
Temperature and humidity: 19–22 degrees, 55–65% humidity
Specs (according to the brand)
Product Size: 490mm (19.3in) x 420mm(16.5in) x 3.5mm (0.14in)
Hybrid Surface: High initial friction, medium dynamic friction, low stopping power.
Base: ApexGrip Tech (Poron-Like), soft to mid-soft.
Stitching: Below-surface stitching.
Unboxing
Upon receiving “The Last Stand,” users are greeted with flat-box packaging, ensuring the mousepad remains unrolled and pristine. Inside, the package includes the mousepad itself and a few stickers, adding a personalized touch for enthusiasts.
Bottom line? Pretty standard unboxing but the pad lies completely flat out of the box.
Design
The Tenta-x Last Stand mousepad stands out as a remarkable player in the gaming peripheral market when it comes to design. Its striking, colorful character design adds a lively and unique touch to any gaming setup, although some might lean toward more traditional styles to suit a broader audience.
The image itself features a warrior in a flowing cape leaping upward toward a bright, starburst-like light against a dark, ruined cityscape with broken buildings and debris. Two smaller figures stand below, while a crossed-swords logo sits in the bottom right corner. The monochrome tones, with stark contrasts, create a cinematic, action-packed vibe. In the bottom right corner, there’s the Tenta-x logo.
It is a striking image that keeps me admiring it. Good work, Tenta-x.
Bottom line? Great and artistic design.
Base and Stitching
The mousepad features Tenta-X’s proprietary “ApexGrip Tech” base, reminiscent of Poron material. This base offers consistent thickness and luxurious softness, striking a balance between cushioned comfort and precision. It adheres securely to various desk surfaces, preventing unwanted movement during use — once you press it onto your desk, it stays there. No slipping.
The low-profile stitching is top-tier, ensuring durability and a seamless edge that doesn’t interfere with mouse movements. I haven’t noticed any fraying so far.
Bottom line? The pad won’t move on your desk, very solid stitches slightly below the surface.
Surface
Constructed from hybrid jacquard fabric, the surface is smooth with a slight texture, providing comfort during extended use. When trying to liken the Last Stand mousepad to others, it’s tough to pinpoint an exact match — but it’s close to OwePowe Summer Camp mousepad. It feels akin to a firm sponge, yet it yields under pressure, which seems paradoxical; it’s slightly rough but gentle on the skin. The texture is distinctly noticeable, offering excellent tactile feedback.
At 3.5mm thick, you might assume it resembles the Soft Artisan, but it’s far less spongy and a tad thicker, and with enhanced stopping power thanks to the responsive feedback it provides.
Bottom line? Similar to OwePowe Summer Camp pad, slightly harsh hybrid feeling.
Static/Dynamic Friction and Stopping Power
The Last Stand mousepad features a moderate level of static friction for a cloth/hybrid pad, aligning closely with the Artisan Hien Soft, allowing your mouse to start moving with minimal resistance and providing a smooth initial glide. However, its dynamic friction is higher than the Hien Soft’s, resulting in a slower response and less fluid movement, which can aid stability—especially useful for tactical cursor adjustments in gaming.
The pad also boasts substantial stopping power, somewhat unexpectedly based on the brand’s description, making it well-suited for precise flicks and quick stops, boosting accuracy. That said, I found tracking and precision slightly inferior to the Hien Soft, leading to less accurate shots in games. A downside emerges if you press down too hard with the mouse, as the stopping power can become excessive, potentially disrupting smooth tracking. Gamers will need to strike a balance in their mouse handling to avoid sudden interruptions.
In short, the Last Stand mousepad delivers a distinctive mix of moderate friction and strong stopping power, offering versatility for gamers. Just be cautious with the pressure you apply to maximize its strengths while avoiding pitfalls. Also, keep in mind the general advice to experiment with different skates or dots—your pad’s performance might shift dramatically (which, in my opinion, is a positive aspect).
Bottom line? Moderate static/dynamic, substantial stopping power.
Humidity and Maintenance
During my weeks of testing, the temperature and humidity never surpassed the thresholds I’d previously set, so I suspect the true challenge will come during the hot summer months. That said, throughout the winter, I experienced no problems whatsoever with glide, stopping power, or stickiness, regardless of any shifts in temperature or humidity in my environment.
Regarding cleaning, I contacted Tenta-x for their advice since I was hesitant to fully wash the mousepad, even though it remained fairly spotless (perhaps due to the design pattern cleverly concealing dirt or grime?). Here’s their response: They explained that the surface is crafted using unique weaving techniques and low-temperature thermal transfer technology. For cleaning, they suggest simply wiping it down with a damp towel if needed.
Bottom line? No issues with humidity so far, easy to maintain.
Summary
The Tenta-x Last Stand mousepad truly shines as an exceptional contender in the gaming peripheral space. Its vibrant, bold character design brings a playful and distinctive flair to any gaming setup, though some might prefer more classic design choices to appeal to a wider crowd. When stacked against the Artisan Zero Soft, the Last Stand pad impresses with its sturdy feel and unique surface texture, delivering a slightly quicker glide. It also excels with controlled glide and impressive stopping control and medium initial friction, making it a highly adaptable option for gamers but I wouldn’t say it’s good enough for rapid games enthusiasts.
In terms of pricing, the OwePowe Summer Camp mousepad holds its own against Artisan’s lineup, offering top-tier performance at a more budget-friendly cost. It’s a hidden treasure in the market — somewhat overlooked but absolutely worthy of more attention for its creativity and quality.
I’m genuinely excited to root for Tenta-X, a company that’s clearly innovating and raising the bar with its products. Their Cataclysm glass mousepads and other pads have me particularly intrigued, and I can’t wait to see them in action. Tenta-x is a name to keep an eye on, and the Last Stand mousepad is proof of their potential, delivering fresh concepts that gamers are sure to value.
This mousepad has earned a lasting spot on my desk, right alongside the Waizowl Falcon and Artisan Hien Soft, no question.
Tenta-X’s “The Last Stand” mousepad combines very aesthetic appeal with functional design. Its thoughtful construction, from the ApexGrip Tech base to the hybrid jacquard surface, offers gamers a reliable and stylish accessory. For those seeking a controlled hybrid mousepad with a unique design, “The Last Stand” is a commendable choice.
Bottom line? Recommended for tac/slow-paced games, some issues with rapid-paced games. Really controlled experience.
Bullet Points
- beautiful design
- improved Artisan Zero Soft with better glide
- no break-in period
- premium quality feeling
- resistant to humidity but…
- …no washing according to the manufacturer (use cloth to wipe)
- flat packaging, the pad will always lie flat
- base that sits very steadily on the desk
- very controlled feeling, significant stopping power, medium initial friction
- affordable
Disclaimer
this review is not a paid endorsement. I want to ensure transparency and let you know that I am not receiving any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for evaluating or discussing this tech product.
