The ROG Azoth 98 X represents a shift in ROG’s design philosophy, bringing “custom keyboard” concepts to the 98-key (96% layout) form factor. It retains the number pad and arrow keys while keeping the horizontal footprint nearly as compact as a TKL (tenkeyless) keyboard. Internally, it features a gasket-mounted structure, south-facing switch LEDs, and hot-swappable sockets for every key, lowering the barrier to entry for modifications. Externally, it boasts a premium feel, thanks to a CNC-machined aluminum top cover and PBT dye-sublimated keycaps. It is not a magnetic-switch keyboard; instead, it utilizes ROG NX V2 mechanical switches and offers a 1000Hz polling rate. The product’s core value proposition is clear: it provides a keyboard for users who need a number pad—without sacrificing precious mouse space—and who might want to tinker with their setup, all without the need for excessive spending or complex, labor-intensive modifications.
I. Layout and Space: The Practical Benefits of the 98-Key Configuration
The Azoth 98 X employs a 98-key (96% layout), which preserves the full number pad and essential function keys while significantly reducing the horizontal width compared to a traditional 104-key keyboard. In practical use, this is immediately noticeable: your mouse won’t collide with the keyboard frame during intense gaming, and the number pad remains easily accessible for tasks like working in Excel—no need for cumbersome key combinations.
This layout is tailored for users who require a number pad but don’t want a full-sized keyboard dominating their desk. It strikes a perfect balance—avoiding the complete omission of the number pad (as seen in 75% layouts) while steering clear of the bulky, uncompromising footprint of a 104-key board.
II. Custom-Friendly Design: “Top-Down” Disassembly
Perhaps the most notable structural feature of the Azoth 98 X is its “top-down” disassembly design. All screws and clips are accessible from the top, meaning you can swap switches, change the mounting plate, or adjust the internal dampening components without ever needing to flip the keyboard over. The official description states that “each structural layer can be adjusted directly from the top of the keyboard; this top-down design allows users to easily swap out keycaps, switches, and the mounting plate.”
The significance of this design is that it lowers the barrier to entry for keyboard customization—shifting the process from “needing to know how to disassemble the unit, which steps to take first, and how to unplug internal ribbon cables” to simply “unscrewing, lifting off the top, swapping parts, and putting it back together.” For users who want to try swapping switches or adjusting internal dampening materials but lack prior experience in keyboard customization, this offers a substantial advantage.
Featuring a gasket-mounted structure combined with a polycarbonate (PC) mounting plate and a multi-layered sound-dampening system (using silicone foam and pads), the keyboard provides a cushioned, elastic feel upon bottoming out, resulting in a clean sound profile. Reviews describe the tuning as a “firmer gasket style,” offering crisp and decisive feedback. The south-facing PCB design also enhances compatibility with third-party keycaps, ensuring that the lighting remains unobstructed.
III. Switches and Typing Feel: Two Options for the NX V2 Series
The ROG Azoth 98 X (Shushi 98 X) comes equipped with ROG NX V2 mechanical switches, available in two variants:
Snow White V2 (Linear): Smooth and lightweight—ideal for extended typing sessions and rapid, repetitive keystrokes.
– Actuation force: 45gf
– Actuation travel: 1.8mm
– Bottom-out force: 53gf
Ice Storm Gray V2 (Tactile): Designed for users who prefer a distinct, “clicky” or tactile confirmation.
– Actuation force: 65gf
– Actuation travel: 1.8mm
– Features clear, pronounced tactile feedback.
Both switches utilize POK/POM stems, are rated for an 80-million-keystroke lifespan, come pre-lubricated from the factory, and support full-key hot-swapping (compatible with both 3-pin and 5-pin switches).
IV. Connectivity, Battery Life, and Details
Tri-mode connectivity: USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless (via ROG SpeedNova technology), and Bluetooth (supporting connections to up to 3 devices simultaneously). In 2.4GHz mode, the keyboard features a nominal latency of 1.8ms. Battery life reaches up to 590 hours with the lighting turned off, or approximately 100 hours with the lighting enabled.
The left side of the keyboard incorporates multi-function buttons and a physical control roller for adjusting volume, media playback, and lighting effects—allowing for intuitive, “blind” operation with the left hand, so your right hand never has to leave the mouse. A magnetic storage compartment on the bottom houses the receiver; the keyboard also supports the ROG Omni receiver, which allows for a “one-to-two” connection (pairing two devices to a single receiver) to save a USB port.
The keycaps are crafted using a five-sided dye-sublimation process on PBT material, allowing for custom designs to cover the entire surface. The top cover is CNC-machined aluminum, providing both structural rigidity and a premium feel. RGB light strips run along both sides, working in tandem with a translucent polycarbonate (PC) mounting plate to ensure uniform backlighting.
V. Differences from the “Shushi 98” (Warlock 98): What’s New in the “X” Version?
The Shushi 98 X is an upgraded iteration of the original Shushi 98, with key improvements in several areas:
Top Cover Material: The original Shushi 98 featured ABS double-shot keycaps and a non-CNC top cover; the X version upgrades this to a CNC-machined aluminum top cover and PBT dye-sublimated keycaps.
Switches: While both models use NX V2 switches, the X version explicitly specifies the use of POK/POM materials for the switch stems and provides detailed actuation force specifications.
Aesthetics: The X version adopts a white-based color scheme accented with gray and red, offering a distinct visual style compared to the darker, more subdued look of the original Shushi 98.
Both models share the same core architecture—including a gasket-mounted design, hot-swappable switches, tri-mode connectivity, and a 98-key layout. The upgrades in the X version focus primarily on “build quality and materials” rather than a functional overhaul.
VI. Scope and Verdict
The design choices behind the Shushi 98 X are clear.
This is a mechanical keyboard, not a magnetic-switch (Hall-effect) keyboard. It lacks features such as Rapid Trigger, adjustable actuation points, and an 8K polling rate (it features a 1000Hz polling rate). Consequently, this keyboard is not intended for users specifically seeking the competitive advantages offered by magnetic switches.
Additionally, the 98-key layout may require a period of adjustment. The editing key cluster (Insert, Delete, Home, End, etc.) has been reorganized; some keys now require the use of an “Fn” modifier or are placed in non-traditional locations. Users accustomed to TKL or standard 104-key layouts will need some time to adjust.
“Customization-friendly” is not the same as a “custom mechanical keyboard kit.” While the board supports hot-swappable switches, interchangeable mounting plates, and adjustable internal dampening, its case architecture, PCB layout, and firmware ecosystem remain part of ROG’s proprietary, closed system—lacking the broad range of third-party accessories typically available for custom keyboard kits. In short, it is designed to offer ROG users a convenient way to modify their boards, rather than serving as an additional hardware option for the dedicated custom-keyboard enthusiast community.
