SCUF Valor Pro controller review — Starter weapon

I don’t feel like I’ve ever seen so many gaming controllers on the market. Most of the big accessory makers have their own version of what low-end and premium is, to varying degrees and differing pricing. SCUF has been around longer than most, but a lot of their options tend to sit at the top of your budget. Releasing an entry-level unit while not decreasing your quality isn’t always easy, but SCUF has managed to provide their innovation in the Valor Pro controller with only a few caveats.

Opening the box you’ll find the SCUF Valor Pro wired controller, its detachable USB-C cable, two additional styles of thumbsticks, and two covers for the inside back buttons. While some companies skimp on the USB-C cable, SCUF brought their A-game, with a ten foot braided cable that is high in quality. Starting at $99.99, there's plenty included at that price.

Looking at the Valor Pro, it definitely looks the part of a SCUF controller. The biggest drawback some will find with this controller is it being wired, but seeing the price tag shrink by one hundred dollars makes me completely fine with the choice. Alongside that, you might be surprised to find many pros gravitate towards wired controllers. Input lag is non-existent with a direct connection, and higher polling speeds are available. Given the detachable nature, it also makes it easy to replace your USB cable if need be, and there isn’t a deep well for the USB-C port so you can use any cable you like. That said, it’s good to use the included cable as it’s designed for the maximum connectivity to the device you’re using it with.

SCUF has also added their awesome customization to the Valor Pro with removable magnetic faceplates. I’m a bit disappointed these aren’t universal, as the Instinct Pro’s faceplate won’t fit on the Valor Pro and vice versa, but it makes sense. SCUF plans to add plenty of faceplates (including influencer variants) to their store, so you’ll be able to make your Valor Pro your own without buying an entire new controller.

This is SCUF’s first Xbox controller that isn’t simply a first-party controller that’s been fitted with their featured functionality. SCUF has learned a lot in their time with Xbox controllers. They’ve used that in crafting a design that mimics it enough – like having the same placement for face buttons, thumbsticks, and triggers – for the player to be comfortable while allowing them to make a few key adjustments to improve the controller further. When you pick it up, you’re definitely going to think of the Xbox controller, but it’s more than just smoothed edges. Also nice: the rubber grip on the handles that adds a nice and comfortable texture as you’re holding it.

There are several SCUF features on the Valor Pro: anti-drift thumbsticks, an audio control system, back buttons, and instant triggers. Starting with the thumbsticks, these are Hall Effect powered, digital readers that allow for a less abrasive manner of tracking the thumbstick movements. In short, this allows your controller to last longer because the input isn’t wearing down as quickly, which is a big deal considering how expensive controllers can be.

On the SCUF Valor Pro, this is great, but it’s taken a good bit of time for me to adjust to it. Even though I use Hall Effect sticks with my daily use controller, these are almost stiff in comparison. SCUF mentioned in a call that they had worked hard to make sure these would have a near one-to-one feel to the other Xbox controllers they make, and while I’d say they feel similar, the precision took quite some time for me to adapt to. If you grab a Valor Pro, you’ll need to be patient as you acclimate to the pull of these thumbsticks. Being able to change out said thumbsticks is great as well, giving you options as you try to get the best out of the Valor Pro.

Continuing into the back buttons, you’ll find them familiar if you’ve used the Instinct Pro (our review for that one here). While I wasn’t as fond of how those sat in the grip, these are better, spread apart a bit more and the inside ones able to be pulled for input. I’m still not sold on these being the best; even though they’re responsive and the outer ones are fine, the inner ones still don’t sit comfortably in my hands, forcing me to adjust the way I grip my controller to use them. Again, it’s an adjustment in general using a new controller, but other controllers place these inner back buttons in better locations to naturally fall into your grip. If you only prefer to use two buttons, it is nice that SCUF has given you the option of covering up the two inside ones, keeping you from accidentally activating one if you don’t need them.

The instant triggers are a direct copy from the Instinct Pro, and that’s perfectly fine. Those triggers were fantastic, feeling almost like mouse clicks when switched on. There are only two settings, the full pull and instant clicks, and I’d argue SCUF has the best triggers available on the market. The only issue I have is what’s above them: the bumpers. Seemingly with more real estate due to the faceplate design, the bumpers wrap further outside the controller from the top. Because of this, it’s incredibly easy to accidentally press them with your trigger fingers. I’ve thrown so many random grenades with how these are placed, and it might be the only real problem I’ve encountered with the Valor Pro.

An addition that isn’t necessary but appreciated is audio control. I’ll usually be using this on PC, so it won’t work as well, but on Xbox this is such a beneficial extra. Two control wheels sit on either side of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the left for your game audio, and the right for your chat audio. This allows you to independently control both levels, along with pressing them in to mute the entire channel. I won’t need it, but if you play on Xbox, it’s a fantastic new function.

After using the Valor Pro for a few weeks while grinding Call of Duty, I can definitely point to it working well and offering quality control for my gameplay. The initial experience wasn’t great; my K/D looked awful as I adjusted to it, but over time I was back to wrecking lobbies as per usual. There’s still something off for me with the back buttons, either due to my smaller hands or the grip design, but they still did their job. A side benefit, it feels great with non-competitive games; I enjoyed playing around with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black using the Valor Pro.

Being able to quickly adjust your setup between these games is vital, and SCUF has a handle on that. There’s a profile button on the back of the controller which opens up not only different profiles, but remapping your controller on the fly. With three different profiles available to customize, you can simply hold down the profile button until the Xbox indicator flashes, then press both the button you want to map and the back button you’re choosing to map it to, and you’re done. Simplicity makes things go quickly, and that’s exactly what SCUF has provided here, just like with their other controllers.

Unfortunately, like their other controllers, there isn’t an app for additional digital adjustments. I’m a little surprised by this omission, especially as this is a fully custom controller by SCUF. In the world of controllers, being able to make minor changes, like adjusting deadzones or full remapping of controls, is important. It’s something that can be rectified, but with no current plans for one by the team, I’m curious if it’s a benefit we’ll ever see.