ARC Raiders Best Controller Settings for Accuracy & Speed

ByCryspi

Last Updated:18 May 2026

🟢 Introduction

If you play ARC Raiders on a controller, you’ve probably already noticed how strange the default settings feel. Aim movement feels slow, micro-adjustments feel inconsistent, and aim assist sometimes works against you instead of helping. This becomes especially noticeable during close-range fights, where the game either drags your crosshair in the wrong direction or suddenly slows your camera movement.

After dozens of hours testing different sensitivity values, deadzones, response curves, and boost settings, one thing became obvious: ARC Raiders heavily depends on a good custom controller setup. Even small changes completely transform how aiming and movement feel.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • the best controller settings for ARC Raiders;

  • why turning off aim assist helps;

  • which response curve works best;

  • how to properly tune your sensitivity;

  • why low deadzones matter;

  • how to balance fast turning with accurate tracking;

  • why Linear feels superior in ARC Raiders;

  • what experienced players use;

  • how to improve your controller aim overall.

We’ll also cover pro controllers, stick extenders, wired mode, and other upgrades that genuinely help in PvP and extraction raids.


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🟡 Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders

Recommended Universal Setup

Setting

Recommended Value

Aim Assist

Off

Horizontal Sensitivity

100–200

Vertical Sensitivity

90–180

Zoom Sensitivity Multiplier

10–20

Scoped Zoom Multiplier

Default

Response Curve

Linear

Deadzone

As low as possible

Look Boost

Optional

Zoom Look Boost

0

Dodge Button

Shoulder Button

This setup delivers the most responsive and smooth camera control without the sluggish feeling found in the default preset.


Why Default Settings Feel Bad

The main issue with ARC Raiders is hidden input smoothing. Even with high sensitivity, the game still applies a strange layer of camera inertia.

Because of this:

  • micro-adjustments feel muddy;

  • tracking moving targets becomes inconsistent;

  • flicks feel unreliable;

  • close-range fights become chaotic.

This is especially noticeable when fighting mouse and keyboard players.


🟠 Why You Should Turn Off Aim Assist

Aim Assist Feels Inconsistent in ARC Raiders

In many shooters, aim assist helps controller players compete with mouse users. But in ARC Raiders, it behaves strangely.

In practice, it often feels:

  • too sticky in close-range fights;

  • too weak at long range;

  • disruptive during tracking;

  • annoying during target switching;

  • inconsistent during fast movement.

The result is a constant feeling that the game is fighting against your own aim.


Benefits of Playing Without Aim Assist

Advantage

What It Does

More predictable aim

No hidden slowdown

Better tracking

Pure stick movement

Faster target switching

No sticky crosshair

Better muscle memory

Consistent input

Easier recoil control

No resistance from aim assist

The first few hours without aim assist may feel uncomfortable, but most players never want to enable it again after adapting.


If you seriously want to improve your controller aim, disabling aim assist is one of the most important steps.


🔵 Best Sensitivity Settings

What Sensitivity Should You Use?

The most important rule in ARC Raiders: your sensitivity should not be low.

Slow sensitivity heavily limits:

  • turning speed;

  • tracking;

  • reaction time;

  • aggressive PvP movement.


Recommended Sensitivity Range

Type

Value

Horizontal

100–200

Vertical

90–180

ADS Multiplier

10–20

Some players even use 300+, but for most people that becomes too unstable.


Why Horizontal Should Be Higher Than Vertical

This helps with:

  • faster turning;

  • smoother movement;

  • easier horizontal flicks.

Vertical sensitivity is usually slightly lower for:

  • cleaner headshots;

  • less overaiming;

  • better recoil control.


The Best Hipfire & ADS Balance

The ideal setup is:

  • high hipfire sensitivity;

  • low ADS multiplier.

Example:

Setting

Value

Horizontal

150

Vertical

130

ADS Multiplier

15

This gives you:

  • fast turns;

  • accurate ADS aim;

  • strong movement control.


🟣 Response Curve — The Most Important Setting

What Is a Response Curve?

A response curve determines how the game interprets your stick movement.

It is the foundation of how aiming feels.

ARC Raiders offers three options:

Curve

Behavior

Exponential

Slow at first, faster later

Linear

Raw direct input

Sinusoidal

Fast at first, slower later


🔴 Exponential — Best for Beginners

How Exponential Works

Small stick movements start slowly, then accelerate as you push further.


Exponential Pros

  • easier for beginners;

  • more forgiving;

  • comfortable at long range;

  • less twitchy.


Exponential Cons

  • slow turning speed;

  • sluggish movement;

  • weaker muscle memory development;

  • harder aggressive PvP.


Exponential feels comfortable early on, but eventually it starts limiting your reaction speed and improvement.


🟠 Sinusoidal — Aggressive Alternative

How Sinusoidal Works

Small stick movements become very fast initially, then stabilize at larger stick angles.


Sinusoidal Pros

Advantage

Why It Helps

Fast micro-adjustments

Great for CQC

Excellent movement

Quick reactions

Aggressive feel

Faster tracking


Sinusoidal Cons

  • easy to overaim;

  • requires strong stick control;

  • full-stick movement feels strange;

  • hidden smoothing hurts consistency.

In ARC Raiders, Sinusoidal feels better than Exponential, but still not perfect.


🔵 Why Linear Is the Best Option

How Linear Works

Linear provides direct raw input:

  • no acceleration;

  • no slowdown;

  • no hidden aim adjustments.

Your stick directly controls your camera movement.


Why Linear Feels Better in ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders has hidden aim smoothing that conflicts heavily with Exponential and Sinusoidal curves.

Linear minimizes this issue and makes aiming feel significantly more predictable.


Linear Pros

Advantage

Why It Matters

Maximum responsiveness

No sluggish feeling

Better tracking

Pure stick movement

Strong muscle memory

Consistent input

Closest to mouse aim

Competitive advantage

Excellent for PvP

Faster reactions


Linear Cons

  • difficult to master;

  • unforgiving;

  • rough learning curve;

  • requires practice.


If you spend 5–10 hours adapting to Linear, aiming starts feeling dramatically better not only in ARC Raiders, but in most shooters overall.


🟡 Deadzone — Why Lower Is Better

What Is Deadzone?

Deadzone determines how far you need to move the stick before the game registers input.


Recommended Deadzone Values

Situation

Recommended Value

New controller

Lowest possible

Minor stick drift

5–10

Older controller

10–15


Why Low Deadzones Feel Better

Lower deadzones improve:

  • responsiveness;

  • reaction time;

  • tracking smoothness;

  • micro-adjustments.


When Should You Raise Deadzone?

Increase deadzone if:

  • your camera shakes;

  • your character moves by itself;

  • stick drift appears;

  • aiming feels jittery.


🟠 Look Boost — Should You Use It?

What Does Look Boost Do?

Look Boost adds additional turning speed after holding the stick for a certain amount of time.


Is It Worth Using?

Players are divided on this.

Look Boost Pros

  • helps fast turning;

  • compensates for lower sensitivity;

  • improves movement.

Look Boost Cons

  • reduces consistency;

  • hurts muscle memory;

  • makes tracking harder.


Best Boost Settings

Setting

Recommendation

Look Boost

Optional

Zoom Boost

0

Ramp-up Time

Personal preference

Most experienced players prefer disabling zoom boost entirely.


🔵 Button Remapping

Why Dodge Should Be Remapped

By default, dodge is placed on:

  • Circle;

  • B.

This forces you to remove your thumb from the aiming stick during fights.


Best Dodge Placement

Move dodge to:

  • LB/L1;

  • RB/R1;

  • back paddles.


Why This Helps

Benefit

Why It Matters

Aim while dodging

Better tracking

Stronger movement

Faster reactions

Better PvP

Smoother fights


🟣 Additional Controller Tips

Stick Extenders Actually Help

Stick extenders increase your aiming arc and make micro-adjustments more precise.

Popular brands include:

  • KontrolFreek;

  • SCUF;

  • Skull&Co.

Even cheap extenders make a noticeable difference.


Is a Pro Controller Worth It?

Modern pro controllers provide major advantages.

Feature

Benefit

Hall Effect sticks

No drift

Back paddles

Better movement

Trigger stops

Faster shooting

Lower latency

More responsive input


Why Wired Is Better Than Wireless

Wireless latency on standard controllers is surprisingly high.

Typical Polling Rates

Type

Frequency

Standard wireless

125–250hz

Wired

Lower latency

Pro wireless

Up to 500hz

Wired mode makes aiming noticeably smoother and more responsive.


🔴 Why High Sensitivity Makes You Better

Many players use sensitivity that is far too low because it feels safer.

But high sensitivity allows:

  • faster reactions;

  • stronger tracking;

  • better movement;

  • stronger PvP performance.


Main Advantages of High Sensitivity

Advantage

What It Gives

Faster turning

Better anti-flank reactions

Better movement

Harder to hit

Better tracking

Especially vs ARCs

Stronger CQC

Faster reactions


🟢 Best Settings by Playstyle

For Beginners

Setting

Value

Response Curve

Exponential

Sensitivity

80–120

Aim Assist

Optional

Deadzone

Medium


For PvP Players

Setting

Value

Response Curve

Linear

Sensitivity

120–200

Aim Assist

Off

Deadzone

Minimal


For Aggressive Playstyles

Setting

Value

Horizontal

Very high

Vertical

High

ADS

Low

Curve

Linear


🟡 Common Player Mistakes

Mistake

Why It Hurts

Low sensitivity

Slow reactions

High deadzone

Sluggish aim

Heavy aim assist reliance

Bad tracking

Constantly changing settings

Ruins muscle memory

Staying on Exponential too long

Slows improvement


🔵 How to Improve Your Aim Faster

Best Training Method

Step 1

Choose one setup.

Step 2

Stop changing sensitivity every day.

Step 3

Play at least 5–10 hours on one response curve.

Step 4

Practice tracking instead of only flicks.

Step 5

Gradually lower deadzone over time.


Muscle memory only develops with consistent settings. Constant sensitivity changes dramatically slow improvement.


🟢 Final Thoughts

ARC Raiders heavily depends on having a strong controller setup. The default settings feel sluggish and awkward, especially in PvP.

For most players, the best overall setup is:

  • Linear response curve;

  • high sensitivity;

  • low ADS multiplier;

  • minimal deadzone;

  • aim assist disabled.

Yes, it feels harder initially. But after several hours, the game becomes dramatically smoother and more responsive.

The most important thing is consistency. Stop changing settings constantly, give yourself time to adapt, and muscle memory will handle the rest.

Publication date:19 Apr 2026