How to Improve Your Tracking Aim in FPS Games – Guide

Table of Contents

Competitive first-person shooter games can offer either an incredibly satisfying or frustrating experience.

Your enjoyment largely depends on your ability to aim accurately and efficiently. Mastering the art of aiming can greatly enhance your first-person shooter experience, as dominating the game becomes incredibly gratifying.

On the other hand, being consistently defeated and respawning at your starting point can be discouraging. So, how can you become a better gamer and win more gunfights in first-person shooter games?

This article will discuss how to improve your tracking aim in FPS games, helping you become a more successful gamer. Enhancing this crucial skill can dramatically elevate your gaming abilities.

Understanding Tracking Aim

Tracking aim is a specific type of aiming in first-person shooter games. It involves maintaining your crosshair on the target while predicting and reacting to their future movements.

Tracking aim is especially important in FPS games that require multiple shots to defeat an opponent, such as APEX Legends, Gears of War, Halo, Destiny, Call of Duty, Overwatch, or PUBG. The longer the Time to Kill (TTK), the more essential tracking aim becomes.

While tracking aim is important in games like Valorant, it is less critical compared to longer TTK games like Halo and Overwatch. However, tracking aim is a vital skill for every first-person shooter and mastering it will help you become a better gamer.

Having good tracking aim offers a significant advantage in competitive FPS games. Accurately predicting enemy movements and landing shots with higher accuracy during gunfights will help you win more battles.

Professional players excel at tracking aim, especially Overwatch pros, where the TTK is relatively long. They spend years perfecting their tracking aim to compete at the highest levels in eSports. To elevate your gameplay and perform at a higher level, improving your tracking aim is a key skill to develop.

IDDQD, a former Overwatch pro player and active Twitch streamer, created a comprehensive aim guide. His tracking aim (and overall aim) is regarded as one of the best in the industry.

If you’re dedicated to enhancing your tracking aim, watch the video before continuing with the article. Although the guide is primarily targeted at Overwatch players, the tips can be easily applied to any competitive game.

How Can You Enhance Tracking Aim?

First, pinpoint any issues with your current aiming techniques.

If you’ve developed bad aiming habits over time, it’s essential to break them.

The most effective way to discover aiming problems is to practice and take note of every missed shot.

Ask yourself why you missed that shot. Did you predict the enemy’s movement incorrectly? Did you position your crosshair poorly? Is your sensitivity too high or too low, making it challenging to track the enemy?

To examine your gameplay and aiming methods, record your gameplay and review it. Slowing it down will reveal things you didn’t notice while playing, allowing you to quickly identify bad habits and errors.

Recognizing these issues will significantly accelerate your tracking aim improvement. Once you know which areas to concentrate on, you can begin training your aim accordingly.

Naturally, practice is crucial. To get better at anything, you need to practice, and the more you practice, the more you’ll improve.

But more on that later in the article. Let’s now explore immediate steps you can take to boost your performance.

Invest in Your Equipment

High-quality hardware is crucial for high-level gaming.

To optimize your tracking aim, ensure you have the best hardware for your playing style.

Mouse

Start by evaluating your mouse, specifically its weight. If you have a bulky, heavy mouse, it might be hindering your tracking aim.

Ideally, you should use a sleek, lightweight gaming mouse. If you’re unsure about the optimal weight, 65-80g is a comfortable range for most players. Anything lighter may be too insubstantial.

Check out our list of the lightest gaming mice and invest in one today. You’ll enjoy gaming with an ultra-light mouse!

*Important note: It may take a few days to adapt to a lightweight mouse, so don’t anticipate fantastic results on day one.

Don’t skimp on your mouse, as it is the most critical component for your tracking aim.

Find a lightweight gaming mouse that best suits your hand and play style, and stick with it!

Mouse Options: Wired or Wireless

Take note of the kind of mouse you’re using as well. Some gamers prefer a wired mouse, while others opt for a wireless one. An older wireless mouse may have lag due to its wireless functionality, which can cause issues for some players, particularly in terms of tracking aim accuracy.

Consider switching to a wired mouse if you believe your tracking is affected by a wireless one, and observe if there’s any improvement. If you already use a wired mouse, managing your cables is a common challenge. A bungee can be an excellent solution for cable management, providing ample room for mouse movement.

Both wired and wireless mice can work well for gaming; it ultimately depends on your personal preference. Try both and see which suits you best.

Check out these Aimbot gaming mice

Mouse Pad

It’s also essential to have a high-quality mouse pad.

Common issues with subpar mouse pads include slipping, sliding, and stickiness, which can significantly impair your tracking aim since steady movement across the mouse pad is required.

Investing in a suitable mouse pad can be a game-changer for enhancing your tracking aim in FPS games. As with purchasing a new mouse, you may need time to adapt to a new mouse pad. Don’t expect flawless aim immediately after changing your mouse pad.

Allow yourself time to adjust, and with some practice, you’ll begin to see your tracking aim improve if your old mouse pad was sticky or sliding around.

Monitor

Your monitor is another crucial component for your tracking aim. Find a monitor that best suits your playing style.

While curved wide-screen monitors can be excellent for watching movies and playing immersive games, they aren’t ideal for gaming. Most professional gamers use a flat 24-inch monitor.

A smaller screen allows for better orientation, easier capture of on-screen action, and improved reaction and aiming.

Additionally, a high refresh rate monitor is a must-have. Aim for at least a 144Hz refresh rate, or ideally, a 240Hz one.

The difference between a 144Hz refresh rate (let alone 240Hz) and 60Hz is significant. The display is incredibly smooth, providing an accurate view of in-game events.

This precision is crucial when tracking your opponent and keeping your crosshair on your enemy. If you’re using a 60Hz monitor, it might be one reason your tracking aim is struggling–Many competitive gamers would deem 60Hz monitors as ‘unplayable.’

To choose the perfect monitor, consult our guides. If you’re serious about enhancing your tracking aim, invest in one of the fastest gaming monitors available, as they’re exceptional for competitive gaming.

If you’re on a tighter budget, check out the most affordable 240Hz monitors or the best budget 1440p 144Hz monitors. You’ll be grateful later!

Desk and Chair Importance

Your desk and chair play a significant role in enhancing your aim, although they are frequently overlooked. A comfortable chair with proper back support can help you maintain an optimal position for making precise mouse movements. A desk with a smooth surface for your mouse pad and an appropriate height is also essential. If unsure, opt for a height-adjustable desk.

For those with a higher budget, refer to our complete guide on proper desk height for gaming and typing.

Read: Complete guide on buying a gaming chair

Aim Trainers and Other Useful Software

Various software options can help improve your tracking aim. Aim trainers, specifically designed for FPS games, are mini-games that let you practice targeting and completing challenges. Some are paid, while others are free. Check our list of the Best Free Aim Trainers to find the one that suits you best.

Investing time in aim trainers can significantly enhance your gameplay. Most professional gamers practice their aim using aim trainers. To achieve pro-level tracking aim, download an aim trainer and practice consistently.

FPS (Frames Per Second)

Your tracking aim is also affected by your computer’s frames per second (FPS). Most modern games have an FPS counter that can be added to your in-game HUD. Enable this counter to monitor your FPS constantly.

Low FPS can make tracking enemies almost impossible, so you’ll need a minimum of 60 FPS for accurate aiming in modern FPS games. If your FPS is insufficient, consider upgrading your computer components.

High FPS is crucial for tracking aim as it provides the most precise display of your opponent’s location. If you’re having issues with FPS, lower your in-game resolution and graphics quality settings to boost performance and improve aim tracking.

Skills and Mindset

You can use the following skills to improve your tracking aim.

Mouse Grip

Improving your mouse grip is often cited as an effective way to boost tracking aim. The three main grip types are claw, fingertip, and palm, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For tracking aim, we recommend using either a claw or palm grip. The claw grip is generally better for tracking aim due to its enhanced finger control, while the palm grip is more suited for flick shots.

If you’re struggling with tracking aim using a palm grip, consider switching to a claw grip, although this may impact your flick shots.

Arm and Wrist Movements

Improving arm and wrist movements can help enhance tracking aim. Many professional gamers use lower sensitivities and rely on their arm and wrist movements, rather than just their hands and fingers. This helps develop muscle memory for repeated movements.

Mindset

Be patient and maintain a positive, focused mindset while working on your tracking aim. Understand that it may initially worsen before it improves. Stick to your practice routine and remain persistent.

Final Thoughts

Improving tracking aim is vital for excelling in FPS games. Identify the root cause of your tracking aim issues before attempting to improve it, either by yourself or through a comprehensive FPS coaching platform. Ensure you have the proper hardware and software, but avoid using them as excuses for not improving.

Tracking aim is only one aspect of aiming, but it is crucial