In competitive shooters like Valorant, every detail matters—from crosshair placement to graphics settings. Among the many visual options in Riot Games’ tactical FPS, one that often sparks debate is “Bloom.” While the term might sound like it relates to weapon spray patterns, in Valorant it refers to a purely visual effect.
What Is Bloom in Valorant?
Bloom is a post-processing graphics feature designed to make light sources appear softer and more realistic. When enabled, bright areas—such as ability effects, glowing weapon skins, or environmental lighting—take on a hazy “halo” or glowing aura. The result is a more cinematic presentation: light feels diffused, reflections shine more vividly, and the overall aesthetic becomes richer.
In essence, bloom alters how light interacts with surfaces and objects. Rather than appearing harsh or flat, illuminated elements pop with a subtle glow, creating a more atmospheric environment for players.
The Gameplay Impact
Although bloom is purely a visual setting and does not affect shooting mechanics or recoil spread, its influence on gameplay perception is more complex. Some players argue that bloom can reduce visual clarity, particularly in high-stakes matches where spotting subtle movements or distant enemies is crucial.
On lower-end PCs, enabling bloom may also cause a small performance dip, as the effect requires additional rendering. For this reason, competitive players—especially professionals—tend to disable bloom. Prioritizing sharper textures and maximum frame rates can provide an edge when every millisecond counts.
That said, the difference is highly situational. For casual players or those with powerful hardware, the immersive glow can make Valorant’s vibrant maps and skins look more dynamic without noticeably harming performance.
Bloom On vs. Off: A Matter of Preference
The decision to keep bloom enabled comes down to personal preference. With bloom turned on, players enjoy a more visually striking game, complete with glowing ability effects and enhanced environmental lighting. With it turned off, the visuals may appear flatter—but the payoff is often clearer visibility and higher FPS.
Most pro guides lean toward disabling bloom, recommending competitive players strip away anything that might obscure the battlefield. Still, for those who value immersion and don’t mind sacrificing a small degree of sharpness, bloom adds an extra layer of polish to Valorant’s presentation.
How to Change the Bloom Setting
Adjusting bloom is straightforward:
- Open Valorant’s Settings Menu
- Navigate to Video → Graphics Quality
- Locate the Bloom toggle and set it to “On” or “Off”
Players often tweak bloom alongside other key settings like material quality, clarity, and shadows to find the right balance between performance and aesthetics.
Beyond the Misconception
In the wider shooter community, “bloom” is sometimes used to describe weapon inaccuracy or recoil spread. In Valorant, however, bloom has nothing to do with shooting mechanics. It is purely a visual graphics effect—one that either enhances immersion or hinders clarity, depending on how you look at it.
Bottom Line:
Bloom in Valorant doesn’t alter weapon accuracy or core mechanics, but it can influence how clearly you see the game. Competitive players usually disable it for maximum sharpness and performance, while casual gamers might appreciate the atmospheric glow. Ultimately, bloom is one of those settings where the “best” choice is whatever feels right for your playstyle.
Written by:
Christian