Getting started with Beat Saber

Learn the basics of playing Beat Saber and understanding its settings. Go at your own pace: you can jump straight to the section that interests you.

First steps

1

Match the colours

Each hand holds a virtual saber. Cut each block with the saber of the same colour.

2

Follow the arrows

The arrow shows which way to cut the block. A block with a dot can be cut in any direction.

3

Recognise obstacles

Bombs are spiky balls: avoid touching them with your sabers. Walls are obstacles you avoid with your head.

Understanding settings

The modifiers change the rules of a game. Some make it easier, others increase the difficulty. They can also affect the score.

On the song selection screen, find the settings panel and the Modifierstab. Names and layout may vary with the game version and language.

Options to know

No Fail
The song continues even if you make repeated mistakes, allowing you to discover a track all the way through.
1 Life
A single mistake ends the game.
4 Lives
You have four lives. Each mistake costs one; the game ends when they run out.
No Bombs
Bombs are removed from the game.
No Walls
Wall-shaped obstacles are removed.
No Arrows
You can cut blocks without following a specified direction. You must still use the saber of the correct colour.
Ghost Notes
Blocks disappear as they approach you. Remember their position and cutting direction.
Disappearing Arrows
Arrows disappear before the blocks reach you. The blocks remain visible: remember the cutting direction.
Small Notes (beta)
Blocks appear smaller, making them harder to read.
Pro Mode (beta)
Cut detection is less forgiving. Movements need to be more accurate.
Strict Angles (beta)
The game requires you to follow the arrow’s direction more precisely.
Zen Mode
Blocks, bombs and walls are removed. Enjoy the music and scenery without trying to score points.
Slower Song
The song slows down, giving you more time to follow the blocks.
Faster Song
The song speeds up and requires quicker reactions.
Super Fast Song
The song speeds up more than with Faster Song. Elements follow one another much faster.
Before starting a song

Check which options are active and the score effect shown in the game. Change one setting at a time to understand what it does.

Player options

These options adjust height, sound and the game’s appearance. They are presented in menu order.

Automatic player height
The game estimates your height from the headset’s position.
Player height
Set your height manually when automatic height is disabled. This option is greyed out while automatic height is enabled.
Left-handed mode
Adapts the note layout for left-handed play.
Sound effects volume
Adjusts the volume of game sound effects, including cutting sounds.
Adaptive sound effects
Automatically adjusts the volume of sound effects in relation to the music.
Note jump duration type
Controls how the game sets the notes’ approach time. Dynamic mode uses the track’s settings; static mode lets you choose a duration.
Note jump offset
In dynamic mode, adjusts the distance at which notes appear and therefore the time available to read them before cutting. It does not change the song’s rhythm.
Fixed note jump duration
In static mode, sets the notes’ approach time. This option is greyed out when dynamic mode is selected.
Environment effects
Chooses the level of visual effects in the scenery. All Effects is one available choice.
Expert+ environment effects
Adjusts the scenery’s visual effects for tracks played on Expert+ difficulty.
Trail intensity
Adjusts the visibility of the light trails left by moving sabers.
No text or HUD
Hides text and information displayed during play. HUD means heads-up display: the information visible in the game, such as your score.
Advanced HUD
Shows additional information about your performance during play.
Reduce debris
Reduces the visual fragments produced when you cut blocks.
Hide note spawn effect
Hides the visual effect accompanying the appearance of notes. The notes themselves remain present.
Arc visibility
Adjusts the visibility of arcs, the curved lines connecting some notes.
Arc haptic feedback
Enables or disables controller vibrations linked to arcs. Haptic feedback is the sensation you feel in your hands.

Solo-only options

Restart on failure
Automatically restarts the track when the game ends in failure. This option applies to solo play.
One setting at a time

Try a change, then return to the previous setting if it does not suit you. If blocks seem too high or too low, ask us for help when you visit.

Environments

The environment is the virtual scenery around you during a song. The Environments section lets you choose scenery other than the game’s default.

Override default environments
Enable this option to use the environments you select below. Disable it to restore the scenery chosen for each song.
Normal environment
Choose the scenery for standard levels, where notes come towards you from the front. The First is one example of an available environment.
Circular environment
Choose the scenery for levels where notes can come from different directions, such as 90° or 360° modes. Glass Desert is one example of an available environment.
Scenery and visual effects

To adjust the scenery’s visual effects, also use Environment effects in Player options.

Colours

The Colours section lets you customise the colours used in the game.

Override default colours
Enable this option to use your chosen palette. Disable it to return to the game’s default colours.
Colours
Choose a palette from the list. The coloured dots give a preview. The pencil button lets you edit a custom palette, such as Custom 0.
Colour override type
Choose which elements use the custom colours. Selecting Notes only limits the override to notes.
Colours that are easy to tell apart

Choose two colours you can easily distinguish while playing. The principle stays the same: cut each block with the saber of the matching colour.

Find out more

Coming to this guide

Step-by-step illustrations, difficulty levels and examples to help you choose settings.

Understanding Beat Saber scores : points, chains, arcs and multipliers.

Unfamiliar with a word? Browse the glossary.

Discover the game with us

Try Beat Saber and Racket Pinball during a free introduction at Espace de Quartier Pâquis.

Request a free introduction

For information from the developer: official Beat Saber website and official terminology (English).