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The best stretched resolution in Valorant is a subject of heated discussion among its community. Many streamers and professional players have adopted unconventional screen resolutions to alter the game’s Field of View (FOV). Suppose you’ve wondered why your favorite streamer’s Valorant display looks different than you’re used to. In that case, it could be due to them using a stretched resolution. This guide explains how FOV works in Valorant and why you may want to use a stretched resolution.
Why You Should Use Stretched Resolution in Valorant
Valorant’s standard, or ‘native’ resolution, is set to 1920×1080. This translates to an aspect ratio of 16:9, the default for most monitors and screens today. However, stretched resolutions challenge this norm. They take the original 16:9 picture and expand it to fit into different aspect ratios like 16:10, 4:3, or even 5:3. This stretching inevitably alters the game’s visual display, sacrificing the graphic representation for different in-game benefits.
With that, you may wonder why adopt a stretched resolution in the first place? Many of Valorant professional players hail from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). In this game, stretched resolutions are popular and can offer a tangible in-game advantage due to pixel stretching. Their previous gaming experiences drive them to implement similar settings in Valorant. That is mainly due to familiarity and being used to playing with such display settings.
How to Get the Best Stretched Resolution for Valorant
The term ‘best’ is subjective when choosing a stretched resolution for Valorant. However, some resolutions have gained traction among the player base, so let’s see our options.
1280×960 (4:3)
A fan favorite from the CS:GO community, many seasoned players have seamlessly transitioned this resolution into their Valorant settings due to familiarity.
1680×1050 (16:10)
This resolution offers a middle path for those seeking a departure from the native settings, but find the 4:3 ratio a tad extreme.
1024×768 (4:3)
Recommended for players on a budget gaming setup, this resolution prioritizes performance over visual appeal.
How to Set Up Stretched Resolution Settings in Valorant?
Making the switch to a stretched resolution in Valorant is straightforward:
- Start Valorant and navigate to Settings by pressing ESC during gameplay or by clicking on the settings icon in the main menu’s top right corner.
- Head to the Video settings section and select the General tab.
- Locate the Resolution dropdown menu and pick your desired resolution and aspect ratio.
- After selecting, click Apply under Aspect Ratio Method. Finish by closing the settings. Your screen should refresh, reflecting your new resolution.
Rest assured, tweaking the resolution doesn’t tamper with your mouse sensitivity. Players can retain their preferred Valorant sensitivity regardless of the chosen resolution.
Stretched resolutions can significantly boost Valorant’s Frames Per Second (FPS). However, if boosting performance is the sole intent, players can downscale resolutions while retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio. For instance, moving from 1920×1080 to 1280×720 can improve game performance without the visual distortion of a stretched resolution.
While Valorant’s FOV remains at constant 103 degrees regardless of the resolution, stretching it can alter the UI overlay, particularly the crosshair’s appearance. Players must choose a setting aligning with their gameplay style, visual preference, and system capabilities. Whether you’re chasing performance or just a new visual experience, this guide should help you set up your ideal Valorant resolution.
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