How to learn how to better control a character in shooters

Mastering character control in FPS games: my proven tips for success

Let’s be real, if you want to get good at first-person shooters (FPS), then you need to have full control of your character. You’ve seen that one guy on your team who dances around like Neo from The Matrix—dodging bullets, nailing headshots, and basically carrying the squad. Well, that could be you. FPS games like *Call of Duty*, *Counter-Strike*, or *Apex Legends* are built around fast reflexes and, most importantly, character movement. If your aim is on point but you’re moving like a beginner, you’re just giving opponents an easy target. Today, I’m hitting you up with great practical tips for how to master controlling your character in shooters and boost your performance.

Why character control matters in FPS games

If precision and aiming are the bread, then movement is the butter of any good shooter. Great character control means better positioning, dodging enemy attacks more effectively, and exploiting enemy weaknesses. In simpler terms, mastering movement AND aiming makes you a nightmare to deal with on the battlefield.

When we talk about character control in shooters, we’re covering several key skills:

• Movement: Running, strafing, crouching, and jumping all while keeping aim accuracy.
• Positioning: Understanding map control to make sure you never walk into crossfire or disadvantageous areas.
• Aiming while moving: Keeping your aim on point—even while dodging and repositioning.

So, how exactly do we get there? No worries. Let’s break down step-by-step how to control your character like a pro in your favorite shooters.

Step 1: Master your game settings

Before you even load into a game, the most critical part of character control starts with adjusting your settings. You don’t want to use the default settings most games start you with—a lot of the time, they’re either too slow or overly reactive.

Mouse sensitivity and DPI adjustments

The first thing you want to tweak is your sensitivity and DPI settings on your mouse. Too high a sensitivity will make aiming while moving extremely hard. Too low, and you’ll react too slowly. Try playing around with your mouse’s DPI (Dots Per Inch) settings to find what feels most natural.

Pro tip: Most FPS pros stick with low sensitivity settings (around 400-800 DPI) to trade small flicks of the wrist for steady control. I personally use 400 DPI with lower in-game mouse sensitivity (between 2.5 to 3.5), but experiment until you find what works best.

Change your Field of View (FoV)

Your Field of View (FoV) is what you see on-screen at any given time. A larger FoV means you’ll see more of your surroundings, which can help you spot enemies and anticipate threats. But there’s a trade-off. Too high a FoV can distort things and make targets appear smaller, while a narrow FoV gives you tunnel vision.

Most FPS games let you adjust FoV, so try ranges between 90-110 to maximize situational awareness.

Step 2: Practice movement skills (without worrying about aim)

The next trick to improving character control comes from practicing movement—without paying attention to aiming just yet. How you weave in and out of cover, strafe left and right to avoid getting hit, and move unpredictably can throw off your enemies.

1v1 movement drills

One way I like to practice is by doing 1v1 duels against friends or bots with one rule—no shooting at all. Instead, both players focus on positioning and moving around the map. It builds muscle memory for dodging attacks and maneuvering effectively, making repositioning instinctive. Just a couple of sessions equaled a huge improvement in my survival rates during actual matches.

Learn bunny hopping and strafing

Advanced movement techniques like bunny hopping and strafing can give you a serious edge. Bunny hopping involves jumping repeatedly while maintaining momentum, which makes you harder to hit. Strafing, on the other hand, is changing direction quickly while moving side to side to dodge sniper shots or bullets.

Pro tip: Introduce “counter-strafing” by quickly pressing the opposite movement key (e.g., A to D, or vice versa) to quickly halt and regain perfect accuracy. It’s particularly valuable in games like *CS: GO*, where first-shot accuracy matters a lot.

Step 3: Focus on map control

Effective movement goes beyond WASD keys—it’s about knowing the map better than your opponents. Map knowledge lets you plan your routes, avoid choke points, and take advantage of advantageous angles.

Study chokepoints and power positions

In every multiplayer map, there are spots where conflicts constantly happen—chokepoints and power positions. Spend time learning these areas by watching pro gameplay and from trial and error. Once you master these crucial locations, you’ll always be one step ahead.

Pro tip: Use in-game cameras, cinematics, or death-cams to pinpoint where enemies generally set up. Save replays of your favorite maps and learn where opponents like to push from.

Step 4: Get comfortable with strafing and aim control

Now that movement is on lock, let’s talk about aiming while moving—because being able to line up shots while on the move is what separates the mid-tier from gods. The thing is, many players stop moving entirely to shoot because they can’t do both at the same time, but that makes you an easy target.

Drill tracking exercises

Aim training tools like KovaaK’s FPS Aim Trainer or even in-game aim trainers can help improve your aim while moving. Spend time practicing “tracking” (i.e., lining up your shot on a moving target) while continuously strafing. It’ll feel weird at first, but soon you’ll be strafing, dodging, and aiming with ease.

Pro tip: In games like *Apex Legends*, where movement is more fluid, try practicing wall-runs and slidings to combine fluid movement with lethal accuracy. It’s a game-changer!

Step 5: Build muscle memory through repetition

Like any skill, movement takes practice, practice, and you guessed it, MORE practice. Building muscle memory is key to mastering character control, where things like strafing, peeking corners, or bunny hopping should come out involuntarily. This happens after hours of consistent repetition.

• Jump into quick-play matches and *only* focus on perfecting one movement technique per game.
• Warm-up using custom maps or training modes before heading into competitive matches.

The more hours you log, the more natural everything will feel over time.

Step 6: Look at professional or high-level players

You’d be surprised by how much you can learn simply from watching others. Head over to YouTube or Twitch, and look up pro players or streamers. Carefully observe how they approach different movement challenges across multiple maps and game scenarios. What do they do when an enemy walks into a small room or a wide-open area? It’s like having a free coaching session, and you can steal all the little tricks and tactics!

Extra tips for cracking your next FPS game

Prioritize communication with your team

In competitive shooters, teamwork and communication are just as important as personal skills. Controlling your character becomes easier when you’re not flying solo. Call out enemy positions, let your team know when you’re flanking, and listen to their plans. When your team is operating as one, your movements won’t be wasted, and you’ll avoid unnecessary deaths.

Never neglect warming up

Trust me, nobody becomes a better player—especially in shooters—by diving in cold. Spend at least 10-15 minutes warming up before a game session. Run through some drills, do a few 1v1 sessions, or fine-tune your aim so that when the real match begins, you’re already in peak form.

Conclusion: Stick with it, and watch your gameplay improve

Mastering character control in shooters won’t happen overnight, but with consistent practice, it will definitely pay off. You’ll find yourself dodging bullets, out-maneuvering enemies, and landing clutch shots more often with smoother movement. Just make sure to optimize your in-game settings early, practice each movement technique, and don’t rush the process.

If you’re serious about leveling up, start putting these tips into practice and watch yourself improve. Let’s continue climbing the ranks and start dominating your next online match!