How to Get Left Hand in Valorant

Left-handed gamers have it rough in a right-hand dominant world, especially when playing first-person shooters. Fortunately, the developers at Riot Games heeded the requests of the community and added the option to switch to a left-hand model in the game with their 1.11 Patch.

So, whether you’re a leftie or just believe that this view model gives you a competitive edge, it’s time to rejoice. Keep reading to find out how to switch hand models and learn what’s the fuss in the great left versus right-hand model debate.

How to Switch to Left-Handed View Mode in Valorant?

Check out these simple steps to change your view model from right-handed to left:

1. Launch the game.
   
2. Go to the Settings menu or press the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.
   
3. Under the General tab, scroll down until you get to the “Other” section.
   
4. Select the “Left” button under the heading, “First Person Handedness.”
   
5. Press the “Close Settings” button at the bottom of the screen to save changes and go back to the main screen.
   

Changing this setting doesn’t just affect your view of your Agent’s hands when you’re in a match. While in spectating mode, all the players that you watch will also appear left-handed regardless of whether they changed their hand model settings or not.

Does It Make a Difference in the Game to Use Left- or Right-Hand View?

Many competitive CSGO players like switching their view between left and right-handed models and hand orientation have nothing to do with it.

There is some method to the madness, though.

According to some CSGO players, using a left-hand-oriented model may help open up a large part of the lower right screen. Imagine what happens when you play with the right-hand model. In first-person shooters, that section is typically dominated by your weapon.

You may not necessarily need to see that lower corner of the screen, but many players like to be able to choose. Having left-hand models may also help lefties who already use a mouse with their dominant hand maintain accuracy without having to interpret spatial differences.

Should you make the switch? It depends on your eye dominance and your personal preferences.

Right Eye or Left Eye Dominant

Eye dominance isn’t necessarily about having a better vision in one eye versus the other eye. It’s all about how each eye receives visual input and relays that information to the brain.

You may find that there’s some association between eye and hand dominance, but it’s not necessarily a rule. While 65% of people have the same dominant eye and hand, there’s still 18% of people who have cross dominance where their dominant eye and hand are different. It is possible to find lefties who are right-eye dominant and vice versa.

What about the remaining 17% of the population?

There are some people out there that don’t have an identifiable dominant eye. In gaming, that simply means that you can choose whichever view model you prefer without potential accuracy penalties.

The Target Test

Left or right eye dominance works a little different than hand dominance, but it’s equally important when gaming. To test your eye dominance, pick out an object in the distance in the real world. Put your hands in a triangle shape with your thumbs forming the lower part of the triangle. This is your “crosshair.”

Now, aim your “crosshair” at the object in the distance, making sure that the object is in the middle of that triangle or “crosshair.” Keep both eyes open while you center the object between your hands.

Next, keep your aim on the object and close your right eye. If the object is still firmly in the middle of your hands, you’re left-eye dominant. Left-eye dominant players should use the right-hand view model.

On the other hand, if the object is no longer in the middle of your “crosshair” when you close your left eye, you’re right-eye dominant and the reverse is true. You need to use the left-hand model.

Finding out your eye dominance can help you in the game because you don’t have a weapon in the way of where you naturally focus. It may take some time to get used to playing with a weapon on the opposite side of the screen, but players may find that their performance levels improve once they get past that learning curve.

If you’re one of those players that do the test and finds that that the center image shifts no matter which eye you close, you’re in luck. You’re a part of the 17% mentioned earlier without an identifiable dominant eye and can choose a view model according to preference.

Just remember that you may have to spend a week or two getting used to the new view model in matches.

How to Fix Left-Hand Glitch in Valorant?

Some players have experienced a glitch where they couldn’t switch out of the left-hand model in the Settings menu. This glitch also makes the screen shake when playing. Fortunately, there’s a workaround until Riot Games patches the glitch.

Check out the steps below if you find yourself in a shaking, left-hand prison:

1. Launch the game.
   
2. Press “Play” and select “Custom Game.”
   
3. Go to “Enable Cheats.”
   
4. Lock in a character to override the game settings.
   
5. Open the Settings menu.
   
6. Scroll down to the “Other” section in the General tab.
   
7. Change the left-hand model setting.
   

Making the Switch

While Valorant’s addition of the “handedness” feature is not a new one, it’s still worth noting because the gaming industry has not been kind to lefties. Remember, too, that a left-hand model isn’t just for left-hand dominant people.

If you find that your accuracy isn’t as good as it should be, no matter how much you practice, you may be using the wrong hand model. Take the Target Test for eye dominance or jump right in and make the switch. Try it out for a few days in the practice range or in Unrated matches to see if your accuracy improves. If you find that it just isn’t for you, you can always switch it back to the default setting.

Which view model do you use when you play Valorant? Do you cater to your eye and/or hand dominance when playing the game? Let us know in the comments section below.