Related Articles
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is here, and you’ll want to make sure you’re using the best settings. This guide covers the controllers, graphics, and audio settings in the Modern Warfare 3 menus. Optimal settings are always going to be subjective, but here we detail our preferred options for the game’s various multiplayer modes.
Here are the recommended settings for console players on PS4/PS5 and Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S:
Table of Contents [hide]Best controller settingsInputsDead Zone InputAimingAim AssistMotion Sensor AimingGameplayCombat BehaviorsVehicle BehaviorsOverlay BehaviorsBest graphics settings for consoleDetails and texturesViewBest audio settingsVolumesVoice ChatMicrophoneSubtitlesFunctionality
Best controller settings
Inputs
Bumper Ping: OffButton Layout Preset: Tactical or DefaultFlip L1/R1 with L2/R2: OffStick Layout Preset: DefaultController Vibration: OffTrigger Effect (PS5): Off
Whether you choose default or tactical button layout might depend on the type of controller you use. Modern Warfare 3 features fast and fluid movement with plenty of opportunities to slide, dive, crouch, and go prone. Tactical layout is recommended for those using a standard controller, as it maps your crouch/slide/dive button to the thumbstick, so you can be quick without ever needing to move your thumb. If you have something like a Scuf or another controller that lets you remap your buttons, you can just leave this on its default setting.
Trigger Effect is something you definitely want to turn off for PS5. The immersion might feel cool, but for more precise aiming, you want to have this effect turned off.
Dead Zone Input
Inputs Deadzone:
Left Stick Min: 0.3Left Stick Max: 0.99Right Stick Min: 0.3Right Stick Max: 0.99L2 Button: 0.0R2 Button: 0.0
Stick drift varies for each player’s controller. Thankfully, Modern Warfare 3 adds a very helpful new feature to test the deadzone on your controller, and it’s found right here inside the settings. First, start on the default Deadzone settings, then turn on the Test Stick Deadzone setting. This test will give you numbers on the bottom of the left and right stick images. Whatever numbers it gives you, you want to adjust the minimum stick drift number for that specific stick to go at least one number higher than the number you’re given.
For example: If your left stick test shows a 3 and the right stick shows a 2, you want to adjust the min drift for the left stick to a 4 and the right stick to a 3. Then test again to make sure you don’t have any more drift.
Lastly, you’ll want L2/R2 set to 0.0 to make sure you’re getting instant activation.
Aiming
Horizontal Stick Sensitivity: 6Vertical Stick Sensitivity: 6ADS Sensitivity Multiplier: 1.00Sensitivity Multiplier: Ground Vehicle sensitivity: 1.00Tablet sensitivity: 1.00Vertical Aim Axis: Vertical Aim On Foot: StandardVertical Aim Ground Vehicles: StandardAim Response Curve Type: Standard Aim Response Curve Slope ScaleADS Sens. Multiplier Focus: 0.90ADS Sensitivity Transition Time: InstantCustom Sensitivity Per Zoom: On
For the stick sensitivity, it can vary from player to player. Some pro players stay around 6-8 sensitivity with Call of Duty multiplayer, but some play at extremely high levels of sensitivity. I’d recommend trying out a 6 stick sensitivity and adjusting from there.
Aim Assist
Target Aim Assist: OnAim Assist Type: Default
Feel free to test out all the Aim Assist types, but you’ll likely just want to keep it set to Default. Precision and Focus give you a stronger aim assist that only kicks in close to the target. There’s also a Black Ops aim assist option for a traditional aim from the Black Ops series, but that seems to feel much like the default setting.
Motion Sensor Aiming
Motion Sensor Aiming: OffMotion Sensor Advanced Setting: Off
This is the PlayStation-exclusive feature of motion tracking technology to allow you to tilt the controller for aiming. This can serve as an accessibility option if needed. Otherwise, this is a setting you’ll likely want to leave off, which is the default setting shown above.
Gameplay
Automatic Sprint: Automatic Tactical SprintAuto Move Forward: OffTactical Sprint Behavior: Double TapGrounded Mantle: OffAutomatic Airborne Mantle: PartialAutomatic Ground Mantle: OffInvert Slide and Dive Behavior: StandardPlunging Underwater: TriggerSprinting Door Bash: OnLedge Climb Behavior: Mantle Only
Combat Behaviors
Aim Down Sight Behaviors: HoldChange Zoom Shared Input: Sprint/Tactical Sprint/FocusEquipment Behavior: HoldWeapon Mount Activation: ADS + MeleeTactical ADS Activation: ADS + Down ButtonTactical ADS Behavior: AlwaysInteract/Reload Behavior: Prioritize ReloadInteract/Reload Behavior: Prioritize InteractADS Stick Swap: OffWeapon Mount Exit Delay: ShortDepleted Ammo Weapon Switch: OnQuick C4 Detonation: One By One
Vehicle Behaviors
Vehicle Camera Recenter: Short DelayCamera Initial Position: Free LookLean-Out Activation: Melee
Overlay Behaviors
Ping Wheel Delay: ModerateKillstreak Wheel Behavior: Hold
Best graphics settings for console
Details and textures
On Demand Texture Streaming: OffWorld Motion Blur: OffWeapon Motion Blue: OffFilm Grain: 0.00Depth of Field: OffFIDELITYFZ CAS: OnFIDELITYFZ CAS Strength: Choose somewhere between 50 – 80
For the On-Demand Texture Streaming, it’s unclear how much data this uses turned on and left uncapped. If you have unlimited data then it can’t hurt to turn it on, but set this to off or limited if you have a data cap.
View
120 HZ Refresh Rate (If applicable): OnField of View: Choose somewhere in 90-120 rangeFirst-Person Camera View: Least 50%Inverted Flashbang: OnSpectator Camera: Game PerspectiveBrightness: Adjust brightness to your specific monitor/TVSafe Area: Adjust to your specific monitor/TV
The higher you set the field of view, the more you can see, but it also zooms everything out. For the Field of View, the settings let you go all the way to 120, but this tends to leave you feeling zoomed out too far. It’s all personal preference here, but I recommend testing somewhere between 90-120.
Best audio settings
Volumes
Audio Mix: Home Theater or Headphones Bass BoostMaster Volume: 100 Gameplay Music Volume: 75Dialogue Volume: 80Effects Volume: 100Voice Chat Volume: 80Cinematic Music Volume:
This setting is the hardest to list because it can be a lot of personal preference and dependent on what device you’re using for audio. If your sound is coming through your TV, Home Theater gives you great sound and decent footstep audio. If you’re using a headset, Headphones Bass Boost is a great option. Everything is super loud in Call of Duty games, especially the music, but you don’t need everything at max volume to make the most of the experience. Personally, I like to greatly lower the music and slightly lower the volume of everything except the effects volume. Effects is going to include the game’s precious footstep audio, so I’d never suggest turning that one down. You want to hear those footsteps at 100.
Voice Chat
Voice chat device: OnGame Voice Channel: (Depends on if you want to hear the entire lobby, party only, or friends onlyLast Words Voice Chat: On or Off (Depends on if you want the enemy who killed you to hear your death comms)
Microphone
Open Mic Sensitivity: 70Mute Yourself When Connecting: OffMicrophone Level: 100Test Microphone: Off
Subtitles
Subtitles: DefaultSubtitles Size: DefaultOpacity: 0
This is absolute personal preference. Here you can choose Default, where subtitles only appear during the campaign, or you can choose to activate subtitles across all modes, or even turn them off. There are also three subtitle sizes to choose from, so pick what size best suits your needs. There’s also an option to change the opacity, so you can lower it or increase this for better visibility.
Functionality
Mono Audio: OffReduce Tinnitus Sound: OnJuggernaut Music: OnHit Marker Sound Effects: MW
This section is also personal preference. I personally like the Reduce Tinnitus Sound turned on to reduce the sometimes extreme sound of the flashbang and concussion grenade effects. Choose what’s best for you.
Adjusting these console settings should help you get the best aim, movement, audio, and visuals for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
All The Call Of Duty Celebrity Operators, Cameos, And Characters Over The Years
See More
