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Best controller settings for Call of Duty MW3

Playing at your best requires fine-tuning.

Anthony Yates

Published: Nov 9, 2023 11:32 am

If you’ve watched any high-level CoD gameplay, you may wonder how on earth players can move like that. It’ll take hundreds of hours before you’re zipping around maps like a pro. Setting up your controller correctly is a good start. Here are the best controller settings for Call of Duty MW3.

Call of Duty MW3: Best Controller Settings

Controller settings in MW3 are split into three sections: Controller, Aiming, and Gameplay. Many settings can be left as default values, but a few will dramatically affect your gameplay.

Controller

Edit Button Layout: Default
L1 Button Ping: Off
Flip Sholder and Trigger buttons: Off
Stick Layout Preset: Default
Controller Vibration: Off
Trigger Effect: Off
Dead Zone Inputs: Custom

Your Button Layout is critical as it will completely change how Call of Duty feels to play. The most common layout is Default, but another you may consider is Tactical or Bumper Jumper. For optimal play, and so you can still aim while jumping, you always want your thumbs on the controller sticks. The Bumper Jumper layout binds Jump to L1/LB, so you can keep your thumbs planted, making it a popular choice. I use Default settings and hold my controller with a “Claw” grip.

With this grip style, my thumbs stay on the sticks while my right index finger presses the face buttons. This grip was awkward initially, but it’s second nature to me now. If you’re changing the button layout, I urge you to stick with your choice for a while, as there will be an adjustment period.

I’ve played with vibration off since I learned several pro players do the same. There are enough visual and audio cues to tell you if you’re getting shot without the controller bouncing around. Vibration isn’t the most critical setting out there, so if you like it, feel free to keep it on.

The importance of Deadzones

I could write an entire guide on Deadzones alone, but these settings will completely differ between controllers. Most control sticks drift as the device gets older, and you can turn the Deadzone settings up so the drifting doesn’t affect gameplay. You want the settings as low as possible without the drift occurring. As my controller is pretty old, my settings are five right and left, but you could get much closer to zero with newer hardware.

Aiming

Horizontal Stick Sensitivity: 7
Vertical Stick Sensitivity: 7
ADS Sensitivity Multiplier: 1.00
Sensitivity Multiplier: Default
Vertical Aim Axis: Default
Tactical Stance Sensitivity Multiplier 1.00
Aim Response Curve: Dynamic
ADS Sens. Multiplier (Focus): 1.00
ADS Sensitivity Transition Timing: Instant
Custom Sensitivity Per Zoom: Off

Aim Assist

Target Aim Assist: On
Aim Assist Type: Default
Third-Person ADS Correction Type: Assist
Motion Sensor Behavior: Off
Motion Sensor Advanced Settings: Default

There’s an intimidating amount of options here, but many can be left alone unless you’re having issues.

Stick Sensitivity is a personal preference, and there’s no “best” option. Your goal with this setting is to be able to look around quickly without negatively impacting your aim. Seven is that sweet spot for me, but anything between four and 10 is useable. Beyond 10, I would question what benefits you’re getting from such a rapid turn speed.

You can change settings for ADS Sensitivity, but any changes I’ve made to it have felt jarring and unnatural. I wouldn’t tweak it unless you’re having problems.

Gameplay

Movement Behaviors

Automatic Sprint: Automatic Sprint
Automatic Move Forward: Off
Tactical Sprint Behavior: Single Tap
Grounded Mantle: On
Automatic Airborne Mantle: Partial
Automatic Ground Mantle/Hang: Off
Slide/Dive Behavior: Tap to Slide
Plunging Underwater: Trigger
Parachute Auto Deploy: Plane Only
Sprinting Door Bash: On
Ledge Climb Behavior: Mantle Only
Slide Cancel Sprint: On

Combat Behaviors

Aim Down Sight Behavior: Hold
Change Zoom Activation: Sprint/Tactical Sprint/Focus
Equipment Behavior: Hold
Weapon Mount Exit Delay: Instant
Tactical Stance Activation: ADS and Down
Tactical Stance Behavior: On Toggle
Interact/Reload Behavior: Tap to Interact
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

Many of these settings can be left as they are, as the defaults feel good. That said, I prefer Automatic Sprint as it’s easier to transition into a slide. Automatic actions like Ground Mantle feel inconsistent, so I’ve left that off.

Interact/Reload Behavior is vital as you can loot and pick up guns faster by setting it to Tap to Interact.

While Armor Plates are a Warzone setting, I recommend changing it to Apply All. When you put plates on with this setting, your Operator will keep adding plates automatically until your vest is full, and it is much better than holding the button for the entire animation.