Have you ever wondered how you’d play an FPS game like Valorant if your agent held their weapon in the other hand? In the early days, many players asked about this question, leading Riot Games to introduce a feature that allows players to switch hands in Valorant.
Don’t worry if you’re a CSGO veteran transitioning to Valorant; switching hands in Valorant is much simpler than in CSGO. With that said, let’s find out how you can switch weapon side view in Valorant and if you should do it.
Why Switch Hands in Valorant?
Switching hands might seem like a minor flick, but it can significantly impact your gameplay in Valorant. Also, you might need to switch hands from right hand side to left hand side because you prefer it, or to gain tactical advantage against the enemy team.
How to Switch Hands in Valorant
The default first-person handedness option comes as Right. Switching hands is pretty easy compared to CS: Go, which can be done by following the instructions:
- Open the Valorant Settings by clicking the gear icon.
- Select the General Tab.
- Scroll to the ‘Others’ Section.
- Find the option First-Person Handedness.
- Choose your preferred hand, left or right.
Does Switching Hands help climb ranks in Valorant?
Switching hands can feel strange initially, but many players find it beneficial after some practice. For example, I switched to left-handed mode and noticed improved visibility when peeking corners.
It took time to adjust, but now I feel more comfortable during intense matches. It eventually helped me climb the ranks from Platinum to Ascendant. However, M1GHTY, our friend who climbed the ranks with us in NA servers, found the left-hand side was too stressful for his eyes, and he stuck to the right hands and still showed his peak performance.
So, in the end, it comes to your preference whether to choose a left-hand side or the right-hand side mode in Valorant.
Tips for Adapting to Switching Hands
Switching your character’s hand to hold their weapon in Valorant might take some getting used to. To help you adapt quickly and make the most of this change, here are several tips:
- Training Range: Before jumping into ranked matches, it’s wise to begin your practice in the training range.
- Adjust Sensitivity: After switching hands, you’ll likely need to adjust your mouse sensitivity and other settings. Hit a few deathmatches or use practice mode in the range to find the settings for you.
- Short Gaming Sessions: Begin with short gaming sessions using the new setting, we recommend going for short game sessions instead of long game modes like unrated or competitive.
- Stay away from Competitive: Initially, try playing in less intense modes like Deathmatch or Spike Rush. These modes offer a chance to get used to the new weapon view in combat situations without risking derank in competition.
- Practice: Changing hands can affect your aiming accuracy, so it’s essential to practice shooting at targets. This will help you gain muscle memory, which will eventually make you good at aiming and movement, helping you climb the ranks.
- Record and Review: Always use a sound gameplay recorder to record your gameplay and review to gain a better understanding of your performance using either left or right-handed modes.
- Stick to one side: After identifying the suitable mode for you, we recommend that you stick with it instead of switching often, which will lead to de-ranking fast.
Conclusion
Switching hands in Valorant is a simple yet impactful adjustment that can enhance your gameplay experience. You can switch the left or right-hand side mode in Valorant from Settings->Other->First-Person Handedness.
Whether for comfort or tactical advantage, give it a try! You might find that switching hands transforms how you play and perceive the game. It will help you climb the ranks faster if you pick the ideal mode for you.
Alex "Ace" Thompson is a 28-year-old semi-professional Valorant player currently ranked Immortal 3 on North American servers. Balancing his passion for gaming with his career as a DevSecOps Engineer, Alex combines technical expertise with strategic gameplay insights. He shares valuable tips, gameplay strategies, and industry trends on his blog, making it a go-to resource for players looking to improve their skills and stay updated in the ever-evolving world of Valorant.
