The SCUF Valor Pro Wired Controller is a premium, Xbox-certified controller designed for pro gamers. With a long history of controller refinement, SCUF is well known for its designs, and the Valor Pro aims to build on this pedigree. Featuring four programmable buttons, interchangeable thumbsticks and three onboard programmable profiles, the Valor Pro offers impressive features and functions for gamers to use on both PC and Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One.
Weighing 260 g, the Valor Pro feels solid in hand while being lighter than the official Xbox controller (in part because it has no batteries). In terms of size and layout, the Valor Pro mimics the latter’s design, with some welcome quality-of-life refinements. For starters, the bumpers offer a full wraparound design that provides more surface contact for trigger fingers. The result is a comfortable and responsive bumper actuation.
The triggers, likewise, provide a more refined experience as well, thanks to the two-mode selector linked to each trigger. Known as the instant trigger system, similar to the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, the triggers and be adjusted between a full range of motion trigger, ideal for racing sims for throttle control, and a mouse-like click response associated with FPS titles. In both cases, the system works exceptionally well with the mouse mode even offering a satisfying clicking sound that will be familiar to PC gamers.
“The Valor Pro builds on SCUF’s pedigree of high-quality controllers, offering pro-level customization and responsiveness in a premium package.”
Shifting to the thumbsticks, SCUF has followed the trend of most modern controllers by offering Hall Effect switches to eliminate stick drift. To further bolster the Pro elements of the Valor, the thumbsticks can be hot-swapped for convex thumbsticks (with concave being the default) and come as an additional accessory in the box. Swapping the sticks is exceptionally simple thanks to the removable magnetic faceplate which incidentally can also be swapped for other colours. Once the faceplate is removed, the thumbsticks are simply pulled out and replaced with the desired model. It’s simple and smart and makes customizing the controller a very user-friendly experience.
As for the thumbstick response, I’m quite impressed with the accuracy and response of the controller. Aiming is tight and responsive with no noticeable dead zone or input lag. Titles such as DOOM Eternal that require quick reactions play well, with the Valor Pro keeping up with the hectic, reactionary shooting required. Despite my general reluctance to use controllers for shooters, I was impressed at how well the Valor Pro managed the task. It is smooth and responsive.
Another reason the SCUF Valor Pro impressed me so much during FPS testing was due to the four programmable paddles and onboard profile switching. Out of the box and with no software required, The Valor Pro can be customized with three separate gaming profiles, each mapping the paddles to different functions. While the purpose is to allow for profile selection based on game genre, I found it incredibly helpful to leverage the three profiles for one title.
“Thanks to Hall Effect sensors, the Valor Pro eliminates stick drift while maintaining ultra-responsive accuracy in fast-paced games like DOOM Eternal.”
In the case of DOOM Eternal, which has an objectively complex control scheme, the profiles can be used to manage the controls so that you never have to take your fingers off the thumbsticks. A profile switch is located on the back of the controller, and thanks to instant profile swapping, I was able to easily navigate the hectic world of DOOM Eternal with an ease I haven’t historically experienced.
By assigning the back paddles to several key operations required to play DOOM Eternal across different profiles, I could quickly swap profiles to activate abilities without taking my thumbs off the sticks. It’s a slick system that offers an impressive amount of customization. As for programming the paddles, it’s a fairly easy process that took no time to master, thanks to online instructions.
As for the paddles themselves, there is a lot to like. The positioning, for example, is perfect, with all four paddles easily reachable by both your middle and ring fingers. If you only want to use two of the paddles, you can swap the two inner paddles for blank plates (included with the controller) that deactivate those two inputs. Swapping the plates is simple and, once again, requires no software support. All of this speaks to the excellent overall design of the Valor Pro and is a testament to SCUF’s years of experience.
“SCUF has taken everything great about the Xbox controller design and refined it, adding a premium feel with rubberized grips and responsive buttons.”
On the topic of design, the handgrips are rubberized, offering both comfort and security while in use. The overall feel of the SCUF Valor Pro in hand is excellent. The controller remains comfortable even after several hours of gameplay, and its lighter weight means less fatigue. SCUF has taken everything great about the Xbox controller design and refined it, adding SCUF-quality attention to detail.
For console gamers, the SCUF Valor Pro offers another quality-of-life improvement with its audio control system. If you prefer using the 3.5 mm jack for a wired headset, you’ll find a complete audio management system located on either side of the jack. The left side manages overall game volume and headset mute, while the right side controls the chat-to-game volume ratio and mic mute. Tactile and audible click feedback give the audio controls a premium feel and response. Once again, it’s a simple yet premium design element.
As a wired controller, the Valor Pro includes a 10-foot braided USB-C cable to connect to Xbox or PC. For console players, the cable length is ideal for sitting back from larger TVs while still providing enough slack for movement during intense gameplay. The cable feels rugged and durable, making it well-suited for long gaming sessions. PC gamers benefit from a 1000 Hz polling rate, ensuring a lightning-fast response every time they play.
There is a lot to love about the SCUF Valor Pro, but one question remains: who is it for? In short, it’s for everyone, with pro gamers benefiting most from its quick response and customization. It carries a premium price tag of $109.99, but in this case, it feels justified. The customization, smart design, and quality of the build all help validate that price. Hall effect switches, instant triggers and programmable paddles allow the Valor Pro to live up to its name, while its snappy response and exceptional comfort make it ideal for both pros and casual players alike.
The Valor Pro from manufacturer SCUF is an excellent wired controller. It offers exceptional customization and quality in an easy-to-use package. From swappable thumbsticks to programmable paddles and onboard profiles, the SCUF Valor Pro is a premium controller. My only question is, can I get it in red?
