Sentinels’ Tyson “TenZ” Ngo is one of the most gifted aimers to ever play Valorant. From his Valorant crosshair settings to his mouse grip and how he configures his PC, players have been seeking to emulate TenZ’s aim by mimicking his gear and setup.
He has hit seemingly impossible shots time and time again, cementing his reputation as arguably the most skilled player in the game.
Now, there’s one more thing for players to try out – the unique way in which TenZ holds his mouse.
What are the different types of mouse grip?
Mouse grip styles can be broadly categorized into three categories: palm, claw, and fingertip. While each style is largely a matter of personal preference, certain grip styles can still be more advantageous for aiming.
The style you prefer will also influence the mouse you choose, because different mouse shapes are more suited to a specific grip style.
Palm grip
As its name suggests, your palm covers most of the mouse here. This is the most natural and relaxed way to hold your mouse and it’s also the most common grip style. However, it is also the least agile, leaving little room for precise micro-adjustments.
Claw grip
In the claw grip, your hand forms an arch, reducing the number of contact points with the mouse. This allows for better control using your wrist and easier back and forth movements.
Fingertip grip
The fingertip grip lets you control the mouse with just your fingertips. In fact, your palm almost never touches the back of the mouse. This is generally considered the most precise grip style, allowing for very minute adjustments. That said, it is also the most fatiguing of all three styles and doesn’t lend itself as well to tracking.
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TenZ shows his mouse grip and how he aims
As it turns out, Sentinels’ star player favors the claw grip.
“Push your palm to the bottom base of the mouse,” he said. “Have your middle finger raised between the scroll wheel and the right-click.”
Players should also use both their wrist and arm to control their mouse, according to TenZ. In general, you want to use your arm for wide, gliding motions, and your wrist for smaller movements.
“Move your arm to find targets. As soon as I find where a target is, I stop and pivot with my wrist. That’s how it works. Most of my aim is just me pivoting my wrist,” he explained.
You may or may not be able to replicate this grip style comfortably, depending on your mouse and hand size. TenZ was using the Finalmouse Starlight-12 Small in this video, which is considerably smaller than most mice.
And while the claw grip might work for TenZ, it might not be the best for everyone. There is no single best way to hold your mouse to guarantee better aim, so you should just find the mouse grip you’re most comfortable with and practice with it to improve your mechanics.
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