Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical shooter, offers a surprising degree of customization, extending even to the seemingly minor detail of weapon handedness. Players have the option to display their in-game firearm on the left side of the screen rather than the default right. While often considered a mere aesthetic choice, this feature can offer tangible benefits for some players, influencing comfort and even tactical visibility.
Why Some Players Opt for a Left-Handed View
The decision to switch weapon handedness in Valorant isn’t purely arbitrary; it often stems from a combination of personal preference and subtle gameplay advantages:
- Comfort for Left-Handed Players: For individuals who are left-hand dominant in real life, aligning the game’s visual representation of the weapon with their natural handedness can simply feel more comfortable and intuitive.
- Tactical Visibility: This is where the preference can become strategic. In certain tight corners or when peeking specific angles, having the weapon model on the left side of the screen can provide a fractionally clearer sightline on the right side of the screen, potentially offering a crucial visual advantage in high-stakes situations.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, many players simply find the left-handed view more visually appealing, less distracting, or just a fresh way to experience the game.
Step-by-Step: Shifting Your Weapon to the Left Hand
Changing your weapon’s handedness in Valorant is a quick and straightforward process, requiring just a few clicks within the game’s settings:
- Open Valorant: Launch the game and allow it to load to the main menu.
- Access Settings: Click on the gear icon located in the top-right corner of the screen. This will open the Settings menu.
- Navigate to “General” Tab: The “General” tab is typically the default tab when you open the settings. If not, select it from the top row.
- Scroll to “Other” Section: Within the “General” tab, scroll down until you find the section labeled “Other.”
- Locate “First Person Handedness”: In the “Other” section, you will find the option “First Person Handedness.”
- Select “Left”: Click on this option and choose “Left” from the available choices. Your weapon model will instantly switch to the left side of your screen.
- Close Settings: Simply close the Settings menu to automatically save your changes and return to the game.
It’s always a good idea to test this new setting in the Practice Range before jumping into a live match to ensure it feels comfortable and provides the desired visual experience.
100% Win Rate Smurfs
For only 16,99 €
What Changes When You Switch?
When you toggle the “First Person Handedness” setting, a few key visual elements are affected:
- Weapon Model: The most obvious change is that your gun will now appear on the left side of your screen. This mirroring also applies to any weapon skins you have equipped.
- Field of View (Subjective): While the core field of view remains the same, some players report a perceived improvement in visibility when peeking certain angles, as the weapon model no longer obstructs their view on the right side. This effect is highly personal and situational.
- Spectator Mode: An interesting detail is that if you set your game to left-handed view, any players you spectate during a match will also appear left-handed on your screen, maintaining a consistent visual experience for you.
Should You Make the Switch?
There is no inherent competitive advantage built into either the left-handed or right-handed weapon display. The choice is entirely about what feels most comfortable and effective for you as an individual player. Some find that matching their weapon hand with their dominant eye or hand helps with focus and aim, while many others are perfectly content with the default right-handed view.
Conclusion
Valorant’s left-handed view model is a thoughtful inclusion that caters to both accessibility and personal comfort. Whether you’re a left-handed player seeking a more natural alignment, curious about a new tactical perspective, or simply looking to refresh your visual experience, switching is as effortless as a few clicks in the settings.
Experiment with it in the Practice Range, and discover if this subtle change can enhance your overall gameplay experience.
Written by:
Christian