Should I Turn Z-Blur On or Off in Escape From Tarkov? (2023)

When you play a game for a while, especially FPS games, you automatically start to look at the settings, mostly because you need more performance or just want to know what’s behind the settings options.

We’ve already covered various settings options on our blog, and you can find our previous articles on these topics here.

In EFT, there is the Z-Blur effect in the graphics settings. But what is it, and how does it affect my system?

Let’s go!

Note: This article was written in English. Translations into other languages may not provide the same linguistic quality. We apologize for grammatical and semantic errors.

What Does Z-Blur Mean in Gaming?

The Z-Blur effect is basically the same as the Motion Blur effect found in many first-person shooters. Originally, such effects came from photography and described a blur limited to certain areas in an image with moving objects.

Example of Motion Blur effect in photography

This effect is created by the speed of the object in combination with the exposure time.

This effect is also used in video games, especially in racing games, first-person shooters, or action adventures, i.e., in all games with fast movements.

It is used to simulate high speed visually, a good example being so-called tunnel effects, which are often used in racing games, for example. While the center of the screen or the focused object is sharply drawn, the view at the edges blurs.

So you can say it is a cinematic effect that is meant to make the game look more realistic.

In EFT, the blurring effect occurs when you turn your head or move quickly.

How Do You Activate Z-Blur in EFT?

To enable the Z-Blur effect, you can simply check the box next to the Z-Blur option in EFT’s graphics settings; when it’s filled in, it’s enabled. Don’t forget to confirm the changes when you leave the menu, and then the effect is active.

Z-Blur (Motion Blur) Settings in Escape From Tarkov

Does Z-Blur Lower FPS in EFT?

Z-Blur is an additional operation that needs to be handled by your system in addition to the standard rendering, and unless you have a high-end system, Z-Blur can be noticeable in the FPS.

Does Z-Blur Increase Input Lag in EFT?

As with the FPS, an additional process makes more work for your system, so it should typically also lead to an input lag, but I could not detect any noticeable input lag in my tests, so I can assume that the input lag is only minimally increased.

Of course, again, it depends on your system. I did my tests with a high-end system, so I can’t judge whether weaker systems might experience more input lag issues.

Comparison Z-Blur On or Off in EFT

Pro:

  • realistic blur during fast movements

Contra:

  • minimally less FPS
  • minimally more input lag
  • opponents can be harder to see or focus on

Final Thoughts – Turning Z-Blur On or Off in EFT?

Effects like Z-Blur have their raison d’être in story mode games, where you want to enjoy the game’s graphics and immerse yourself in the game and story.

They make the gaming experience more immersive and realistic. And even in racing games, well-done Blur effects certainly make a big difference to immersion.

However, as soon as you enter a competitive situation against other human opponents, nice blurring effects are rather a hindrance because you might see the opponent too late or more indistinctly.

In addition, there are minimal FPS losses and minimal increased input lag.

With my history as a pro gamer in CS 1.6 and a competitive gamer in PUBG and Valorant, I’m sure you can imagine that I’m not a fan of blur effects in shooters.

After all, with over 6,000 hours of PUBG, I’m no longer happy about the excellent blur effect but only annoyed when I see my opponent worse than he sees me, and I lose a duel because of it. Any setting that increases such effects is then deactivated, of course.

Every competitive gamer and especially every pro gamer will disable the Z-Blur effect immediately after installing and launching a first-person shooter. 🙂

Masakari out – moep, moep.

Former pro gamer Andreas "Masakari" Mamerow has been an active gamer for over 35 years, more than 20 of them in the competitive scene (Esports). In CS 1.5/1.6, PUBG and Valorant, he has led and coached teams at the highest level.
Old dogs bite better...

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