The best VALORANT settings are not universal, but a stable baseline makes them easier to evaluate. On PC, start with 800 DPI, 0.35 sensitivity and 1.0 ADS and scope multipliers. Do not copy a professional player's sensitivity without testing it.
Start with a stable setup
- Riot supports custom crosshair colors, independent lines, the /crosshair copy command and crosshair profiles.
- Since patch 11.06, RawInputBuffer has been permanently enabled and cannot be configured.
- VALORANT is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with separate PC and console environments.
- The official beginner's guide recommends adapting purchases to your role, playstyle and team's plan.
Test the crosshair, image settings and sensitivity in the Range. Keep each change for two sessions before deciding. This guide covers PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, along with three accessible agents and a beginner buying rule.
Set up VALORANT on PC
Enable fullscreen and keep the native resolution if the frame rate remains stable. If a 144 Hz display fluctuates between 110 and 220 FPS, use a lower cap that the system can hold consistently.
Build a fixed, readable crosshair
In Settings > Crosshair > Primary, enable the inner lines. Disable the outer lines, center dot, and movement or firing errors.
Cyan or green can provide a useful starting contrast. Try an inner line length of 4, thickness of 2 and offset of 2. These are reference values, not a Riot standard.
- Save a profile named Base 2026.
- Test the sensitivity in the Range without changing other options.
- Play a Deathmatch with the same configuration.
- Change one value, then compare two sessions.
Riot also lets you adjust horizontal and vertical lines independently, copy a spectated player's crosshair with /crosshair copy and preserve a backup through profiles.
official patch 5.04 notes details these features.
| Option | Starting point | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Cyan or green | Quick contrast across most environments |
| Center dot | Disabled | Reduces clutter over the target |
| Inner lines | 4 / 2 / 2 | Visible reference without covering the target |
| Outer lines | Disabled | Reduces visual noise |
| Movement and firing errors | Disabled | Keeps the reference constant while learning |
| ADS and scope | Close to the main profile | Avoids changing the reference between weapons |
Close unnecessary applications and enable statistics in Settings > Video > Stats. If frames drop, lower Material, Texture, Detail and UI Quality. Disable bloom, distortion and cast shadows if instability continues.
Since patch 11.06, RawInputBuffer is no longer a setting because Riot enables it permanently. See official patch 11.06 notes.
Adjust console controls separately
Do not transfer a PC value to console. Riot keeps the competitive environments separate: keyboard and mouse are not allowed on console, and PC and console matches are not mixed.
The details appear in official Vanguard x VALORANT article.
| Platform | Starting setting | Testing priority |
|---|---|---|
| PC | 800 DPI, 0.35 sensitivity, 1.0 ADS, fullscreen | FPS stability and first-shot control |
| PlayStation 5 | Controller, main sensitivity around the middle of the displayed scale | Deadzone without drift and a separate Focus setting |
| Xbox Series X|S | Controller, following the same logic as PS5 | Turn speed, stick braking and crosshair readability |
Lower the controller deadzone to the point just before drift begins. If the crosshair moves by itself, raise it by one step. Focus sensitivity can remain slightly lower than general sensitivity; it should not imitate mouse movement.
Change one setting at a time
Several changes between matches make the cause of an improvement impossible to identify.
- Warm up in the Range. Begin with stationary targets and check first-shot consistency.
- Stop before shooting. Move, release the key, then fire one bullet. official beginner's guide recalls this principle.
- Use small steps. If you overshoot the head, lower sensitivity by 0.02 to 0.04.
- Play a Deathmatch. Keep the same crosshair, sensitivity and resolution.
- Change one variable. Move from 0.35 to 0.32, for example, without changing DPI.
- Validate after two sessions. One poor match is not enough to reject a setting.
Choose an agent with a simple plan
A crosshair does not replace a clear objective. Pick an agent whose plan can be explained in one sentence.
Brimstone for learning smokes
Place Brimstone's smokes before the team enters and save Incendiary for a plant or defuse. His official profile details these actions.
Sage for recovering from mistakes
Sage's Healing Orb can help after a trade. Slow Orb suits a narrow passage or retake, while Barrier Orb buys time and isolates a line of fire. Do not place it behind the team if it blocks the retreat. Also consult Sage's official profile.
Gekko for playing around the Spike
Wingman can seek out an enemy, disorient a target and, depending on the situation, plant or defuse the Spike. Pick up the globule after using it and move forward with it to use the information. official page explains how to recover it.
Sova is another option if you prefer preparing actions with information, although his arrows require reference points on every map. Follow changes through latest news and the Esports section on jeu.vidéo.
Spend credits according to the round
Check both your credits and the team's credits before buying, while keeping the next full-buy round in mind. official beginner's guide connects purchases to role and game plan.
| Situation | Priority | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Full buy | Rifle, shield and essential abilities | Spending everything on utility without a suitable weapon |
| Light buy | Mid-tier weapon or upgraded pistol with a useful ability | Buying alone while the team is saving |
| Save round | Keep credits for the next full-buy round | Adding an expensive weapon to a buy the team cannot match |
On a full buy, test Phantom or Vandal with a shield and useful abilities. Compare weapons in official VALORANT arsenal. On a light buy, Spectre or Bulldog preserve part of the budget. During an eco round, the Classic and one useful ability are better than an isolated expense.
With Brimstone, buy the smokes needed for entry. With Sage, keep enough for slowing or healing. With Gekko, do not waste Wingman before the Spike plan. After an update, return to the Range because a new effect or agent may change perceived readability.
Find more advice in jeu.vidéo's practical articles.
Keep FPS and input predictable
FPS, input and crosshair settings should be tested together, but only one variable should change at a time. A stable frame rate and predictable controls make duels easier to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PC settings should I choose to start?
Start with 800 DPI, 0.35 sensitivity, 1.0 ADS and a fixed cyan crosshair. Test this setup in the Range.
How can I keep my crosshair visible?
Choose a high-contrast color. Disable the center dot, outer lines and movement or firing errors.
What should I lower when FPS drops?
Enable statistics, then lower Material, Texture, Detail and UI Quality. Disable visual effects if drops continue.
When should I change sensitivity?
Keep a setting for two sessions. Change one value at a time in small steps, then compare duels in the Range and Deathmatch.
How do I set the deadzone on console?
Lower it to the point just before drift begins. If the crosshair moves by itself, raise it by one step.
For further VALORANT updates, check official crosshair notes, official patch 11.06 notes, official crosshair patch notes and official 11.06 patch notes. To keep following the topic, also see our article on Which VALORANT Agent should you unlock first when you're a beginner? and our article on Zenless Zone Zero: building an effective team around.
Verified sources
These links verify the key information used in this article.
- playvalorant.com: The official beginner's guide, published on 2024-08-02, confirms agent roles, the buying phase, adapting spending to playstyle and the importance of stopping before shooting.
- playvalorant.com: The patch 5.04 notes, published on 2022-08-23, document the Crosshair menu, custom colors, independent lines, the /crosshair copy command and crosshair profiles.
- playvalorant.com: The patch 11.06 notes, published on 2025-09-16, state that RawInputBuffer was removed from the settings and permanently enabled.
- playvalorant.com: The official Vanguard x VALORANT article, published on 2024-09-20, confirms the separation between PC and console, the ban on keyboard and mouse on console and console aim assist.
