How to ADS in PUBG and aim down the sights

aim in PUBG — (Image credit: PUBG Corporation)

Discovering how to ADS in PUBG and aim down the sights isn't as immediate obvious as you might think. Mainly because aim doesn't live on the left trigger like God ordained. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has an unique control system that will leave more than a few people curiously prodding various parts of the controller to work out where basic functions live. PUBG ADS and aiming is one of those things. However, coming up below we'll cover how to aim, and switch between modes so you stand more of a chance in a fight.

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How to ADS in PUBG

Unlike most games, PUBG gives you two options when aiming - a close up view for third person shooting, and a scoped, precision view down the barrel.

Here's how they work:

Third person aim - hold the left trigger down.
First person scoped - tap the left trigger. Tap again to release.

Here's a breakdown of the basic, default controls:

As well as scoping, things like the ability to change the grenade throwing motion from a lob to underarm, is handy in small spaces, as is the ability to free look, and using left on the D-pad to change firing modes. (Quick tip: burst fire and full auto for short to medium range encounters, never for range. Switch to single shot.)

In terms of other controls, the set up changes depending on what you're doing. These are the functions while actually aiming:

Aaaand driving:

The 'Change Seat' options probably the most important there for when you get in the wrong side of a car (and you will).

There's also a bunch of map specific controls, important given how important getting to the right place can be.

Inventory navigation is also crucial given how little time you want to spend in there when people might be shooting at you. Key thing here is getting the shoulder button side-to-side navigation locked in your muscle memory.

And, finally, there are swimming controls which are probably the most conventional in the whole game. The ability to 'Dive' is your friend here as it's useful to avoid attention and dodge gunfire.