Have you ever wondered why your favorite Valorant pro player has their game setting turned all the way down? You might’ve thought it’s so they get the most Frames Per Second (FPS) possible. And you’d be correct. But they also do it for another reason, clarity.
But wouldn’t reducing visual quality reduce clarity? You’d think so. But lower settings actually reduce the visual clutter in the game. For pros, this makes it so they can focus better on essential in-game elements and have faster reactions to them. And you can see the difference if you try it for yourself.
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Valorant recently entered the console market and is doing pretty well in that space. Image credit: Riot Games
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In Valorant, agent abilities can create a lot of visual noise, especially on high settings. For instance, Viper’s toxic wall produces extra gas particles on high settings, adding unnecessary layers of visuals that obscure vision. On low settings, the wall is cleaner and simpler, allowing players to spot enemies more easily.
Why Do Pros Prefer Low Settings in Valorant?
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This minimalism extends to other abilities, where flashy effects and added details can sometimes blend into the environment or distract from more important visual cues. The cleaner look of low settings removes these distractions, making it easier to focus on opponents. This reduction in “flair” is exactly why pros prefer low settings.
Beyond individual abilities, environmental details like textures and shadows also create obstacles. On high settings, some areas on maps, such as Ascent or Lotus, feature detailed foliage or intricate terrain, which can obscure key items or abilities, like hidden Killjoy mollies or Chamber’s traps.
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By turning these details down, everything becomes clearer, helping pros easily spot critical objects and enemy movements. In essence, lowering the graphics removes the non-essential elements, ensuring that players only focus on what matters—the enemies and their utility.
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Similarly, Fortnite pros use performance mode, a graphical setting that reduces details and visual effects, especially in cluttered environments. This allows them to see enemies hiding behind trees or in bushes clearly. Valorant might be joining Fortnite with an upcoming change.
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In competitive games, split-second reactions can decide who wins. So the reduced clutter helps players see, track, and react to opponents more effectively.
The concept of reducing visual clutter isn’t unique to Valorant or Fortnite. In fact, it’s a practice followed by professional players in many competitive games. Other genres, such as MOBAs like Dota 2, have seen a similar shift.
In Dota 2, many pros reduce graphics settings to avoid the overwhelming number of particle effects created by hero abilities, cosmetic items, and map details.
During intense team fights, which are often a blur of color and movement, cleaner visuals help pros better identify key threats and react accordingly.
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The same principle applies in games like Apex Legends, where high-detail weapon muzzle flashes and environmental effects can obscure opponents. Lowering settings helps players spot enemies faster and track movement more efficiently.
Though some casual players may prefer the rich, visually immersive experience of high settings, pros cannot afford to let these aesthetic enhancements affect their gameplay. The ultimate goal is not beauty but clarity and performance.
The less your brain has to process visually, the faster it can react to crucial information. What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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