Best MW3 controller settings to improve your aim: Sensitivity and aim assist

Are you looking to take your Modern Warfare 3 gameplay to the next level? Then you’ll need Destructoid’s ultimate guide to the best MW3 controller settings, including aim assist, aim responsive curves, FOV settings, and more.

There are lots of ways to improve your Call of Duty skills, whether it’s practicing your aim in the firing range, or watching gameplay of better players to learn from them. If you’re not using the best settings though, you’ll always be at a disadvantage, and I don’t want that for you.

That’s why I’ve put together this guide to MW3‘s best controller settings. These are the exact settings that I use every time I boot up CoD, so you know that I’ve tested these out and believe they’re top-tier.

Best MW3 Controller Settings: Inputs, aim assist, movement

Inputs

• Bumper Ping: Off
• Button Layout Preset: Tactical
• Flip L1/R1 with L2/R2: Off (Unless you play Claw, in which case, turn this on.)
• Stick Layout Preset: Default
• Controller Vibration: Off
• Trigger Effect: Off

Aiming

• Horizontal Stick Sensitivity: 5
• Vertical Stick Sensitivity: 5
• ADS Sensitivity Multiplier: 0.90
• Sensitivity Multiplier
  • Ground Vehicles: 1.00
  • Tablet: 1.00
• Verticle Aim Axis
  • On foot: Standard
  • Ground Vehicles: Standard
• Tac-Stance Sensitivity Multiplier: 0.90
• Aim Response Curve Type: Dynamic
• ADS Sensitivity Multiplier: 0.90
• ADS Sensitivity Transition Timing: Instant
• Custom Sensitivity Per Zoom: Off

Aim Assist

• Target Aim Assist: On
• Aim Assist Type: Black Ops

Motion Sensor Aiming

• Motion Sensor Behavior: Off

Gameplay

Movement

• Automatic Sprint: Off
• Sprint/Tactical Sprint Behavior: Toggle
• Auto Move Forward: Off
• Tactical Spring Behavior: Double Tap
• Grounded Mantle: On
• Automatic Airborne Mantle: Partial
• Automatic Ground Mantle: Off
• Invert Slide/Dive Behavior: Standard
• Plunging Underwater: Trigger
• Sprinting Door Bash: On
• Ledge Climb Behavior: Hold

Combat

• Aim Down Sight Behavior: Hold
• Change Zoom Shared Input: Off
• Equipment Behavior: Hold
• Weapon Mount Activation: ADS & Melee
• Weapon Mount Exit Delay: Medium
• Tactical Stance Activation: ADS & Melee
• Tactical Stance Behavior: On Toggle
• Interact/Reload Behavior: Tap to Reload
• Armor Plate Behavior: Apply All
• ADS Stick Swap: Off
• Backpack Control: Directional Buttons
• Depleted Ammo Weapon Switch: On
• Quick C4 Detonation: Grouped
• Manual Fire Behavior: Press

Vehicle

• Vehicle Camera Recenter: Short Delay
• Camera Initial Position: Free Look
• Lean-Out Activation: Melee

Overlay

• Ping Wheel Delay: Moderate
• Double Tab Danger Ping Delay: Moderate
• Killstreak Wheel Behavior: Hold

MW3 Aim Assist types explained

There are four different Aim Assist types in Modern Warfare 3, although two are very similar. Below, I explain what each means.

• Default: Traditional aim slowdown near target used in Modern Warfare games.
• Precision: Strong aim slowdown that only kicks in when aiming closer to the target. Best for accurate players.
• Focusing: Strong aim slowdown that also kicks in when narrowly missing the target. Best for players new to analog aiming.
• Black Ops: Traditional aim slowdown near target used in Black Ops games.

I tried all four of these out when MW3 first dropped. Precision puts you at a disadvantage as your slowdown kicks in later than the rest, so I wouldn’t advise using it. Conversely, Focusing’s aim slowdown is way too strong, and I hated how it felt.

I recommend using Default or Black Ops. They feel pretty much identical, but I felt like I played better using Black Ops personally. Try them both out and see which one feels the best.

MW3 Aim Response Curve explained

On top of Aim Assist types, there are also response curves to consider. There are three in total:

• Standard: Simple power curve map from aim stick to aim rate.
• Linear: Aim stick maps directly to aim rate.
• Dynamic: Reverse S-curve mapping for fine aim rate control.

The only one I don’t recommend is Linear, which I found difficult to use. Standard is solid for almost everyone, while Dynamic is probably the best due to the precision it can give you. If you do switch to it, be ready for some early pain though, as it took me about a week before I was comfortable with it.

Best MW3 FOV settings

As for FOV, I recommend you stick to 100 as your Field of View. This lets you see a good portion of your surroundings, without zooming out too far and getting that weird feeling of everything around you looking skewed.

In the end, though, it’s all personal preference, so try anywhere from 95 to 115 and see which one feels the best for you.