Best map settings in VALORANT

In the world of FPS games, information is one of the main keys to success; every bit of information can become a decisive factor in a team's victory. The small map in VALORANT (also called the minimap), located in the top left corner of the screen, might seem insignificant to new players but it is essential for becoming proficient in the game. Properly setting it up and utilizing it during the game can notably enhance your performance and benefit your teammates.

What is the minimap in VALORANT?

The minimap, also known as the radar, is the little box in the top left corner of the user interface in VALORANT. It does not just show you the layout of the map and your position, but it also provides you with vital information about your teammates and the Spike’s locations, as well as indicates where your enemies are if they are spotted by your team.

Why is using the best map settings in VALORANT important?

The minimap serves for much more than just indicating enemy positions, as it can guide you in making better strategic decisions during gameplay. It can help you deploy your abilities more effectively, aiding in finding the ideal spots to smoke or set up for specific actions. By showing where your teammates are and the direction they are facing, it gives you a better sense of the battlefield. This knowledge can assist in setting up crossfires, expecting enemies from specific directions, and coordinating your moves with your team. Not utilizing the minimap to its full potential means you're leaving behind a wealth of valuable insights. To put it simply, the right use of the map can make your VALORANT experience more informed, coordinated, and ultimately, more successful.

How do you set up the minimap in VALORANT?

1. Open “Settings” within the game.
2. Navigate to the “General” tab.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Map” section.
4. Use our guide below to adjust your settings!

Recommended VALORANT minimap settings.

Even though some minimap settings in the game depend on your personal preference, there are a few that many professional players tend to use. In this section, we will go over each minimap setting, explain what it does, and provide our recommended settings for each of them.

1. Rotate:

With this option, you can control whether the minimap rotates in sync with your in-game view direction. If you alter your view, the map adjusts to match. Set to “Fixed”, the map holds steady no matter where you are looking. Most professional players prefer to play with a rotating minimap, but this preference is completely personal and doesn't impact gameplay - choose what feels most comfortable for you.

2. Fixed Orientation:

This setting comes into play only if you've chosen the “Fixed” option in the “Rotate” setting. Here, you can decide whether the map stays the same regardless of the side you're playing on (“Always the Same”) or flips based on your current side (“Based on Side”). While this choice is largely personal, it's generally recommended to set the map to flip based on your side. This provides consistency, as you'll always start with your team at the bottom of the map, facing the opposition at the start of each round.

3. Keep player centered:

The “Keep player centered” option lets you determine if your position stays centered on the minimap, causing the map to move around you. It is highly recommended to switch this setting to “Off”. A shifting map could distract you, fail to show key locations steadily and prove generally unstable.

4. Minimap size:

This setting is quite straightforward – it determines the amount of space the minimap takes on the user interface. The higher the value of this setting, the bigger the minimap is. It is recommended to keep this setting between 1.0 and 1.2 – try it and choose the one that fits you the best.

5. Minimap zoom:

The zoom level of the minimap controls how close-up your view of the map is, and consequently, how much of the map is visible to you. It's highly advised to keep this setting between 0.9 and 1.0, as this allows you to see the entire map. This optimal view lets you keep track of teammates and spot enemies throughout the map, ensuring you don't miss crucial information.

6. Minimap vision cones:

The “Minimap vision cones” setting adds a feature to your minimap that reflects your character's viewing direction. It uses a small spherical icon in the center of the minimap that alters its orientation as you shift your gaze in the game. It's highly suggested to keep this feature “On”, as most pro players do. The reason is that it offers real-time visual feedback, enhancing your ability to understand where your character is looking, which is crucial for keeping track of potential enemy locations.

7. Show map Region Names:

This setting allows the player to choose whether the names of the positions on the map are shown. It is recommended to set this parameter to “Always”, as it significantly increases the accuracy of the communication and understanding within the team when the information or a call-out is given.