While Cyberpunk 2077 is a RPG at heart, there is still a lot of first person shooting and aiming going on which sometimes feels a little off. There are a few things to look at - your in game settings, and your controller’s hardware, specifically the thumbsticks.
The first place to start is your in-game settings. While the default settings are tuned by the game’s developers to appeal to the widest range of players, no two players are the same and your controls will largely be based on your personal preference. The best way to improve your aim will be to experiment with your controls and see which controls feel the best for your playstyle. There are a variety of different controller, camera, and graphics settings which can be used to improve your aim.
Control Settings
First off, go ahead into the Control menu, look for the First-Person Camera (Controller) section. In this, there should be a button labeled “Show Advanced Options”; this menu should show you a bunch of new settings you can tune to adjust your aim acceleration.
Aim acceleration is when the crosshair moves faster across the screen in the direction you’re aiming. This is not something you may want if you want to adjust and have muscle memory. Turn off the settings in this menu then test out how aiming feels. It should feel more consistent when you’re aiming, but if it still feels a little off then tuning your horizontal and vertical sensitivity is up next.
Sensitivity choices are very unique to each person, so it’s best to adjust and test out the settings until you find what works best for you.
The last thing you can adjust if it still feels a little bit off is decreasing the Inner Dead Zone. A lower dead zone will decrease the distance needed to move the joystick to begin moving or aiming in a direction, which in turn gives you a wider range of motion on each joystick. Once again, experiment to see what feels best to you.
Graphic Settings
There are a few settings you can try out to not only improve how the game looks from an aesthetic standpoint, but also so you can see better when you’re aiming.
Turn off Chromatic Aberration and Motion Blur - these settings will reduce blurriness and distortion. Film grain is another option that is definitely more based on preference, but you can also turn it off as well for a clearer view; although, it does look very fitting for the world if you leave it on.
Another step you can take in the right direction is to improve the hardware that you play on. Just like you would buy a next-gen console for performance and graphical upgrades, a SCUF controller is an investment with notable benefits and hardware upgrades that can improve your gameplay.
Paddles
The paddles on the back of each SCUF model are the most immediately obvious benefit that can augment your aim. Not only do the paddles enable your inputs to be located in a location close to your hands’ natural resting position, but they also free up your right thumb that would normally be dedicated to the face buttons.
Not having to use your right thumb for the face buttons enables actively aiming in situations which would previously be impossible. By default, you can crouch, jump, and reload while aiming. However, the back paddles on each SCUF model are programmable, allowing you to bind any of the buttons to the back paddles. Experiment with different combinations to see which playstyle suits you best, or check out our beginners tips for Cyberpunk 2077 to see which keybinds we recommend.
Thumbsticks
Having the right thumbsticks for you and how you like to play will also help improve your aim. Everyone has different hand sizes, thumb lengths, and preferences. That’s why SCUF thumbsticks are interchangeable: to match your unique preference of comfort and playstyle. In this guide, we'll be going over how to improve your aim with the right sticks.
Identify Your Playstyle
What kind of character are you playing for this run of Cyberpunk? Are you someone who prefers stealth and sniping? Or do you prefer to take a more direct aggressive approach? Which kind of weapons do you prefer? Whatever your preferred style, it’s a key part in what thumbsticks will suit you best.
Understanding Thumbstick Shape and Length
There are two parts to the thumbstick: its shape and its length. These will determine which kind will be best for you.
Choosing Thumbsticks
For aggressive players, like SMG and shotgun players, we recommend a short concave thumbstick on the left and a short domed thumbstick on the right. You’ll be quick to move and ready to quickly aim.
For defensive players, like sniper rifle players, we recommend a short concave thumbstick on the left and a tall domed thumbstick on the right. You can still move quickly, but also be the most accurate when aiming.
Taller thumbsticks are also recommended if you have larger hands for improved comfort.
Try out different thumbstick types and combinations to find the ones that fit your playstyle, or change it up when you’re on your next playthrough.
One Last Tip
If you’re still not in love with how the aiming and shooting works in this game, we recommend trying out the Smart Link Cyberware Mod (obtain at level 14 Street Cred). This can be used with Smart Link weapons which will auto target and track enemies.