Ducky Year of the Snake 2025 Mechanical Keyboard

The Ducky Year of the Snake 2025 Limited Edition mechanical keyboard is a striking blend of artistry and advanced engineering, designed for discerning users who value both performance and aesthetics. With its compact 75% layout, this keyboard is ideal for gamers, office professionals, and keyboard enthusiasts seeking a balance between functionality and desk space. The design draws inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of the Paiwan people, featuring intricate artwork and symbolism that make it a centerpiece on any desk. Its robust feature set, including hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA programmability, and premium materials, ensures a highly customizable and satisfying typing experience. Whether you’re aiming for peak productivity, immersive gaming, or simply want a unique and collectible piece, this keyboard stands out as a sophisticated choice for those who demand more from their peripherals.

Essential Features

This keyboard distinguishes itself with a suite of advanced features tailored for power users and enthusiasts. At its core is a gasket mount design paired with an FR4 plate, delivering a soft, cushioned typing feel and reduced vibration. The hot-swappable south-facing PCB allows effortless switch changes without soldering, supporting genuine Cherry MX2A switches for a smooth and reliable keystroke. Users can choose between tactile, clicky, or linear switch options to suit their preferences. Full programmability via QMK and VIA empowers users to remap keys, create macros, and customize layers, making it suitable for complex workflows and gaming setups. The inclusion of PE switch dampeners and Poron bottom foam further refines acoustics, minimizing unwanted noise and enhancing typing comfort. The keyboard features vibrant RGB backlighting, allowing for dynamic lighting effects and per-key customization. Its 75% ANSI layout strikes a perfect balance between compactness and functionality, retaining dedicated arrow keys and essential navigation buttons. These features, combined with high-quality Cherry profile dye-sublimated PBT keycaps, set this keyboard apart as a premium, versatile, and user-centric device.

• Gasket mount with FR4 plate for a soft, responsive typing feel
• Hot-swappable PCB for easy switch customization
• QMK and VIA compatibility for advanced programmability
• Genuine Cherry MX2A switches (Brown, Blue, Red options)
• South-facing switches for optimal keycap compatibility
• PE and Poron dampening for superior acoustics
• Vivid RGB backlighting with per-key customization
• 75% ANSI layout with 83 keys

Construction Details

The keyboard’s construction is a testament to both durability and artistry. The top case is crafted from navy-colored ABS, while the bottom case features a beige ABS base adorned with intricate artwork inspired by the hundred-pace viper and Paiwan sun totems. This collaboration with Paiwan artisan Tjaiping (Huang Hao-Che) ensures that each unit is not only functional but also a work of cultural significance. The Cherry profile keycaps are made from thick, dye-sublimated PBT, offering a satisfying texture and long-lasting legends that resist wear. The layout follows the ANSI standard with a plate-mounted design, ensuring stability and a consistent typing experience. The keyboard is equipped with screw-in PCB mount stabilizers for enhanced key stability and reduced rattle on larger keys. Three-level adjustable feet allow users to set their preferred typing angle, while the detachable braided USB-C cable adds both convenience and durability. Each keyboard is individually numbered with a golden metal badge, underscoring its exclusivity and collectible status. The overall build quality ensures longevity, making it suitable for heavy daily use in both professional and enthusiast settings.

• Navy ABS top case and beige ABS bottom case with detailed artwork
• Cherry profile, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps for durability
• Plate-mounted, ANSI layout for stability
• Screw-in PCB mount stabilizers
• Three-level adjustable feet for ergonomic comfort
• Detachable braided USB-C cable
• Individually numbered with a golden metal badge

Cross-Platform Compatibility

This keyboard is designed to deliver seamless performance across multiple operating systems, making it an excellent choice for users who switch between different devices. It connects via a wired USB-C interface, ensuring a stable and lag-free connection with a maximum polling rate of 1000Hz for ultra-responsive input. The keyboard is fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to enjoy its features regardless of their preferred platform. Switching between operating systems is straightforward, with built-in support for both Mac and Windows layouts. The detachable USB-C cable enhances portability and simplifies cable management, making it easy to move the keyboard between workstations or pack it for travel. Wired connectivity guarantees consistent power and eliminates the need for batteries or charging, which is especially valuable for users who require uninterrupted performance during long gaming sessions or intensive work. The plug-and-play nature of the keyboard means it is ready to use out of the box, with no complicated setup required. For advanced users, QMK and VIA software further extend compatibility, enabling deep customization and integration with a wide range of devices and workflows. This cross-platform versatility ensures that the keyboard adapts to any environment, whether at home, in the office, or on the go.

• Wired USB-C connectivity for stable, high-speed performance
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Detachable cable for easy transport and setup
• Plug-and-play operation with no drivers required
• Supports both Mac and Windows key layouts
• QMK/VIA software for advanced cross-platform customization

Tailoring Your Typing

Personalization is at the heart of this keyboard’s design, offering users extensive options to tailor both function and form. Through QMK and VIA support, users can remap any key, assign macros, and create multiple layers to suit specific workflows or gaming needs. This level of programmability allows for highly efficient shortcuts, custom keybinds, and unique layouts, empowering users to optimize their typing experience. The hot-swappable PCB enables effortless switch changes, so users can experiment with different switch types without soldering, customizing the feel and sound of each keystroke. The vibrant RGB backlighting is fully customizable, with per-key lighting effects, color schemes, and animations that can be adjusted to match any mood or setup. Cherry profile keycaps, made from durable PBT, can be swapped out for aftermarket sets to further personalize the keyboard’s appearance. The inclusion of an exclusive R4 keycap featuring the Chinese character for "snake" adds a unique touch, while the intricate artwork on the case makes each keyboard a one-of-a-kind piece. For those who appreciate both performance and aesthetics, the keyboard offers a harmonious blend of customization options, ensuring that every user can create a setup that reflects their individual style and preferences.

• QMK and VIA support for key remapping and macro creation
• Hot-swappable PCB for easy switch customization
• Per-key RGB backlighting with dynamic effects
• Customizable Cherry profile PBT keycaps
• Exclusive artisan keycap and collectible keychain included
• Unique case artwork for visual personalization

Unique Selling Points

This keyboard stands out not only for its technical prowess but also for its artistic and collectible value. Limited to just 2,025 pieces worldwide, each unit is individually numbered, making it a rare find for collectors. The collaboration with Paiwan artisan Tjaiping (H