Best controller settings for Apex Legends Season 18

Loba and Apex Legends logoRespawn Entertainment

If you want to dominate Apex Legends matches with a controller in Season 18 then you’ll need to be able to keep up with players using a mouse and keyboard. The best controller settings will give you a leg up on the enemy in Apex Legends.

Season 18 brought a variety of changes and new content to Apex Legends, numerous weapon buffs and nerfs as well as a rework for Revenant. So, it’s the ideal time to hop into matches and start winning battles.

Article continues after ad

While mastering your Legend, perfecting your aim, and learning key spots are all supremely important in the hunt for victories, movement is king when playing Apex Legends with a controller. It can be the difference between winning a gunfight or heading back to the lobby disappointed.

Here are the best Apex Legends controller settings.

Apex Legends best controller settings

Layout

Apex Legends controller settingsRespawn Entertainment
Apex Legends features different button layouts for players to try.
  • Button Layout: Evolved
  • Stick Layout: Default
  • Interact/ReloadButton: Tap to Use and Reload
  • Crouch Button: Toggle
  • Aim Button: Hold
  • Survival Slot Button: On
  • Trigger Button Deadzones: None
  • Menu Cursor Speed: Around halfway or more

For those using standard controllers to play, the best layout to master movement is the Evolved setting. This layout changes your crouch to the right stick and your jump to the left bumper.

Article continues after ad

Having your crouch on the right stick will allow you to crouch spam, a very important move when it comes to winning fights in Apex Legends. Although this will take some getting used to, as keeping your aim on point while crouch spamming is fairly difficult, once you are comfortable with it you will see an instant improvement in your mobility.

Evolved will also change your jump button to the left bumper, which again will take some getting used to, however, the freedom to jump, climb, and stay mobile while keeping your thumb on the right stick is vital to improving your game in Apex Legends.

Article continues after ad

Movement / Aiming

apex legends fpsRespawn Entertainment
Your controller’s sensitivity will determine the accuracy of your aim in Apex Legends.
  • Look Sensitivity: 5
  • Look Sensitivity (ADS): 4
  • Per Optic Settings: On
  • Response Curve: Classic
  • Look Deadzone: None / Small
  • Movement Deadzone: Small
  • Inverted Look: Off
  • Vibration: On
  • Advanced Look Controls: Off

As for the Movement / Aiming section in the settings, we’ve found that the Classic Response Curve is the best and feels most comfortable in-game. It’s also important to have your Look Deadzone at a minimum so either None or Small depending on your stick drift.

We’ve opted for Vibration On, but a lot of players may find it easier to have it Off if they feel it is affecting their ability to control recoil. Advanced Look Controls gives the player much more advanced customization options that a player will need to spend a lot of time with in order to perfect, which can be beneficial. However, we find the default option is enough to get the most out of your aim and movement.

Article continues after ad

Of course, these settings are a great template for players, but you will most likely want to play around with the Look Sensitivity and ADS Sensitivity until you find what works for you.

Gameplay

  • Button Hints: On
  • Crosshair Damage Feedback: Off
  • Weapon Auto-Cycle on Empty: On
  • Auto-Sprint: Off
  • Double-Tap Sprint: Off
  • Jetpack Control: Hold

There are a lot of Gameplay settings in Apex Legends, but these are the most relevant for optimizing performance on a controller. First off, we think it’s beneficial for Button Hints to be On, as new players may want to be reminded of how to perform certain actions.

Article continues after ad

Having said that, more experienced players may want to switch this setting and Crosshair Damage Feedback Off to reduce HUD clutter. For Weapon Auto-Cycle on Empty, we feel having this setting On means players don’t have to worry about swapping weapons manually when they run out of ammo mid-fight. This will automatically switch your weapon so you can focus on getting the kill.

Some players like Auto Sprint, especially if their analog sticks are stiff. However, we feel this setting is better switched Off, as it is much easier to walk slowly and make more discreet plays.

Article continues after ad

For Valkyrie mains, having your Jetpack Control on Hold makes it much easier to make quick escapes and movements with your Jetpack than Toggle.

Does FOV affect controller aim in Apex Legends?

apex legends fovRespawn Entertainment
Your FOV can impact your aim in Apex Legends.

Field of View or FOV can definitely affect a player’s aim on a controller. It’s beneficial to have this setting higher than the default value of 70, as it can increase the amount you see around you. However having it too high can affect a player’s aim negatively, as it reduces the size of objects and enemies that are far away.

Article continues after ad

With that being said, there’s definitely a sweet spot for controller players, but ultimately this setting is a preference and players will need to figure out what works best for them.

If you’d like to know what the sweet spot for FOV in Apex Legends is, check out our guide on the best FOV for Apex Legends.


For more on Apex Legends, check out these guides:

Who is the most popular Apex Legends character? | Will Arenas return to Apex Legends? | When is cross-progression coming to Apex Legends? | How to get Apex Legends Twitch Prime Gaming rewards | Best Legends in Apex Legends | All Apex Legends voice actors

Article continues after ad