The goal for the 2026 Competitive Season is to reach the 300 FPS engine cap (or the newer 360 FPS cap on updated builds) with zero micro-stutter. By editing the videoconfig.txt, we can force the “LOD (Level of Detail)” to favor player silhouettes over environmental flora, making enemies stand out even at 300+ meters.
File Path
The configuration file is located in your Windows Saved Games directory.
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Saved Games\Respawn\Apex\local\videoconfig.txt
Pro Tip: After editing, you must right-click the file > Properties > check Read-only. If you don’t, the game will overwrite your custom values on launch.
Technical Configuration (The 2026 “Predator” Template)
Copy and replace the existing values in your file with these specific lines to maximize visibility and frame-time consistency:
"VideoConfig"
{
"setting.csm_enabled" "0" // Completely disables Sun Cascaded Shadows
"setting.csm_coverage" "0"
"setting.csm_cascade_res" "0"
"setting.r_lod_switch_scale" "0.4" // Faster LOD transitions; boosts FPS massively
"setting.mat_depthfeather_enable" "0" // Disables DOF (blur) when aiming
"setting.cl_ragdoll_self_collision" "0"
"setting.cl_particle_fallback_base" "0"
"setting.cl_particle_fallback_multiplier" "0"
"setting.r_particle_timescale" "1.0"
"setting.mat_antialias_mode" "0" // 0 = None (Sharpest). Use 12 for TSAA if too jagged.
"setting.nx_dynamic_res_target_fps" "0"
"setting.configversion" "7"
}Parameter Breakdown:
- “setting.csm_enabled”: “0”: This is the “God-tier” tweak. It disables the sun shadow system entirely. While the game looks flat, it removes all “shadow noise” under trees and inside buildings, making enemy silhouettes instantly recognizable.
- “setting.r_lod_switch_scale”: “0.4”: This forces the game to use lower-detail models for environment assets at a closer distance. It frees up massive CPU/GPU resources without affecting player model quality.
- “setting.mat_depthfeather_enable”: “0”: Removes the subtle blur effect around the edges of your gun/sight when ADS (Aiming Down Sights). This keeps your peripheral vision sharp during gunfights.
- “setting.cl_ragdoll_self_collision”: “0”: Prevents dead bodies from calculating complex physics interactions. Useful in “hot drops” where multiple corpses can tank your frame rate.
Strategy for 2026 Competitive Performance
- The “300 FPS” Launch Option: To ensure your
videoconfig.txtisn’t held back by a software cap, add these to your Steam/EA App launch options:+fps_max 0 -novid -dev -high - NVIDIA Reflex + Boost: Even with shadows off, Apex is CPU-heavy. Enable Reflex + Boost to keep your CPU cores focused on the game’s render thread, keeping input lag under 5ms.
- Texture Streaming Budget: Set this to Medium (3GB VRAM) or High (4GB VRAM) even if you have 16GB. Going to “Insane” causes asset-loading stutters (Packet Burst) which can be lethal in 2026’s high-speed meta.
- Sprint View Shake: In the in-game “Gameplay” tab, set this to Minimal. This works with your config to ensure your screen isn’t bouncing while you try to track a target while sliding.
Key Performance Comparison (Season 27 Engine)
| Setting | Standard (Low) | Config (Zero Shadow) | Competitive Impact |
| Shadow Noise | Visible | None | Enemies in corners are 100% visible. |
| FPS Stability | Variable | Locked | Prevents drops during “Bangalore Smoke” or “Gibby Ults.” |
| Input Lag | 10ms – 15ms | < 6ms | Faster response for wall-bouncing/tap-strafing. |
| Visual Clarity | Blurry (TAA) | Sharp | Easier to track targets at long range with a Wingman. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does my game look “blurry” even with these settings?
Ensure Adaptive Resolution FPS Target is set to 0. If it’s higher than 0, the game will dynamically lower your resolution to hit that target, causing a muddy image.
Is r_lod_switch_scale lower than 0.4 safe?
You can go as low as 0.3, but going lower may cause “Loot” (shields, guns) to not render until you are right on top of them, which is a massive competitive disadvantage.
Will disabling CSM (Sun Shadows) get me banned?
No. This setting has been used by competitive players since 2019. It is a standard engine command.
My screen flickers after changing the config!
This can happen if you set setting.csm_enabled to 0 on certain AMD GPUs. If this happens, set it back to 1 and set setting.csm_coverage to 0 instead.
Conclusion and Expected Results
By manually stripping the shadow systems via videoconfig.txt, you are transforming Apex Legends from a cinematic experience into a high-visibility competitive tool. You can expect rock-solid frame times, zero “dark spots” where enemies can hide, and maximum responsiveness during high-movement maneuvers.