I have used two mice for the past 2 years now, the Steel Series Rival which I don't use anymore in favor of the newer one I got a few months ago, the Zowie EC1-A, didn't play with a mousepad ever and only started about 2 - 4 months ago. Started with the Razer Goliathus Control Edition and my brother uses it for work now so I got another one which is the Steel Series QcK second to smallest size one.
I have been juggling different senses and dpis such as 800 dpi, 3.5 in game sens, or 2.2, or 1.5, or default 5 jumbled with 700, 400, 1200, 1600 DPI. Currently I'm at 800 DPI, 3.5 ING sens, and 11/11 windows sensitivity with Enhanced Pointer Precision which others say is just the fancy way of saying acceleration. It feels alright, the 11/11 + EPP idea came from a clan mate and so far I enjoy it. Might need a while still to fully get used to it but I am starting to feel more and more comfortable with it.