For most players, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is best set to Performance: its 60 FPS target favors responsive parkour, combat, camera movement, and ship aiming. Choose Balanced if you have a 120 Hz display and prefer its 40 FPS middle ground with broader ray-tracing effects. Choose Fidelity only if you would rather prioritize image quality at a 30 FPS target. On PS5 Pro, Performance is an especially strong default because extended ray tracing is available in every mode and the console uses PSSR 2 reconstruction.
At a glance
| Mode | Best for | Frame-rate target | Display requirement | Ray-tracing and image-quality notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Responsive movement, combat, and ship aiming | 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro | No 120 Hz requirement stated | Standard ray-tracing level on base PS5; extended ray tracing on PS5 Pro, which also uses PSSR 2 reconstruction |
| Balanced | Players seeking a middle ground between fluidity and visual richness | 40 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro | 120 Hz-capable display required | Extended ray-tracing features |
| Fidelity | Players who prioritize visual quality over responsiveness | 30 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro | No 120 Hz requirement stated | Highest visual-quality presentation; extended ray tracing |
The FPS figures are Ubisoft’s published mode targets, not independent measurements of every scene or a guarantee that a target is maintained at all times. Specifications reflect Ubisoft’s published information available as of October 2026.
Which graphics mode should I use on a base PS5?
Use Performance as the default on a base PS5, especially with a standard 60 Hz television or monitor. Its 60 FPS target is the most useful trade-off for play that depends on quick movement and aiming.
Performance: the most responsive default
Parkour, close combat, camera movement, and naval aiming all benefit from a more responsive presentation. Performance targets 60 FPS on base PS5. Ubisoft describes its ray-tracing level in this mode as standard, while global illumination remains ray-traced in every mode.
For players who value control response over the fullest lighting and reflection treatment, the difference in target—60 FPS rather than 30 FPS—is the key reason to choose Performance. It is also the straightforward option if the display does not support 120 Hz.
Balanced: richer visuals at a 40 FPS target
Choose Balanced if your display supports 120 Hz and you want a compromise between Performance and Fidelity. It targets 40 FPS and includes extended ray-tracing features, including ray-traced specular reflections on base PS5.
Balanced is not a 60 FPS mode: its appeal is the middle ground between the 60 FPS Performance target and the 30 FPS Fidelity target. If responsiveness is your priority, Performance is the better fit; if the extended visual effects matter more and you accept a lower target, Balanced is the alternative to Fidelity.
Fidelity: the visual-priority option
Fidelity targets 30 FPS and prioritizes the highest visual-quality presentation. On base PS5, it includes extended ray-tracing features, including ray-traced specular reflections.
Choose it when image quality and visual richness matter more to you than faster response. The trade-off is most noticeable in actions where camera movement or timing is important, so it is a deliberate preference rather than the best all-purpose setting.
Is Performance mode better on PS5 Pro?
For most PS5 Pro players, yes. Performance keeps the 60 FPS target while the Pro offers extended ray tracing in every mode and uses PSSR 2 reconstruction, making it a stronger visual compromise than Performance on base PS5.
On base PS5, choosing Performance means accepting the standard ray-tracing level rather than the extended specular-reflection features offered by Balanced and Fidelity. On PS5 Pro, Ubisoft says extended ray-traced specular reflections are available across all three modes. That changes the trade-off: Pro players can favor the 60 FPS target without losing access to the extended ray-tracing feature set.
When Balanced still makes sense on PS5 Pro
Balanced remains a reasonable choice if your display supports 120 Hz and you prefer a 40 FPS presentation over the faster response of Performance. Select it for that preference, not because the 120 Hz display changes its published target to 120 FPS.
When to use Fidelity on PS5 Pro
Fidelity is for a specific priority: the highest visual-quality presentation at a 30 FPS target. If you do not actively prefer that slower presentation, Performance is the more balanced everyday choice on Pro.
Does Balanced mode require a 120 Hz display?
Yes. Ubisoft specifies a 120 Hz-capable display for Balanced mode, which targets 40 FPS on both PS5 and PS5 Pro. A 60 Hz display should generally use Performance or Fidelity instead.
A 120 Hz-capable display is necessary for Balanced, but it does not turn the mode into a 120 FPS option: the published target is 40 FPS. The relevant compatibility chain can include the display, the console’s output configuration, and the connection between them. The available specifications do not establish a universal cable model requirement, so do not assume a particular cable is necessary without checking the requirements for your own setup.
- 60 Hz display: choose Performance for responsiveness or Fidelity for the visual-priority presentation.
- 120 Hz-capable display: Balanced becomes an option if you want its 40 FPS target and broader ray-tracing features.
- 4K/120 Hz setup: confirm that the display and console output are configured for the capabilities you intend to use; the mode specification alone does not verify every part of a particular setup.
How should I choose between FPS and visual quality?
Start with the way you want the game to feel, then use ray-tracing features as the tie-breaker. Performance favors response, Balanced splits the difference for 120 Hz display owners, and Fidelity favors visual quality.
| Your priority | Recommended mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Responsive parkour, combat, camera movement, and naval aiming | Performance | Its published target is 60 FPS on either PS5 model. |
| A 40 FPS middle ground and extended ray-tracing features | Balanced | It targets 40 FPS and requires a 120 Hz-capable display. |
| The highest visual-quality presentation | Fidelity | It prioritizes image quality at a 30 FPS target. |
| Strong response on PS5 Pro without giving up extended ray tracing | Performance | PS5 Pro makes extended ray tracing available in every mode and uses PSSR 2 reconstruction. |
For base PS5, the clearest visual-feature distinction is that Balanced and Fidelity include extended ray-traced specular reflections, while Performance uses the standard ray-tracing level. Ray-traced global illumination is retained in every base PS5 mode. On PS5 Pro, extended ray-traced specular reflections are available in all modes, so your choice can focus more directly on the preferred frame-rate target.
Did Title Update 1.0.8 change the PS5 graphics targets?
Ubisoft’s Title Update 1.0.8 notes do not explicitly say whether the PS5 frame-rate targets or graphics-mode allocation changed. The latest published official specifications still describe Performance at 60 FPS, Balanced at 40 FPS, and Fidelity at 30 FPS, but the update notes alone do not confirm that every rendering target was preserved.
Ubisoft published the notes on October 26, 2026, for release on October 27. The company called 1.0.8 the final major content update and said smaller quality-of-life updates would follow. Its listed fixes include stability improvements, a fix for damaged Jackdaw visuals, and a fix for enemy animation snapping. These notes provide update context, not a new confirmation of the graphics modes.
What are the best PS5 settings for Black Flag Resynced?
For a 60 Hz setup, begin with Performance. On a 120 Hz display, try Balanced if the 40 FPS target and richer ray-tracing features suit your preference; use Fidelity when you intentionally want the visual-priority 30 FPS presentation. On PS5 Pro, Performance is the strongest general-purpose recommendation because extended ray tracing remains available across modes.
For most players, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is best set to Performance: its 60 FPS target favors responsive parkour, combat, camera movement, and ship aiming. Choose Balanced if you have a 120 Hz display and prefer its 40 FPS middle ground with broader ray-tracing effects. Choose Fidelity only if you would rather prioritize image quality at a 30 FPS target. On PS5 Pro, Performance is an especially strong default because extended ray tracing is available in every mode and the console uses PSSR 2 reconstruction.
At a glance
| Mode | Best for | Frame-rate target | Display requirement | Ray-tracing and image-quality notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Responsive movement, combat, and ship aiming | 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro | No 120 Hz requirement stated | Standard ray-tracing level on base PS5; extended ray tracing on PS5 Pro, which also uses PSSR 2 reconstruction |
| Balanced | Players seeking a middle ground between fluidity and visual richness | 40 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro | 120 Hz-capable display required | Extended ray-tracing features |
| Fidelity | Players who prioritize visual quality over responsiveness | 30 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro | No 120 Hz requirement stated | Highest visual-quality presentation; extended ray tracing |
The FPS figures are Ubisoft’s published mode targets, not independent measurements of every scene or a guarantee that a target is maintained at all times. Specifications reflect Ubisoft’s published information available as of October 2026.
Which graphics mode should I use on a base PS5?
Use Performance as the default on a base PS5, especially with a standard 60 Hz television or monitor. Its 60 FPS target is the most useful trade-off for play that depends on quick movement and aiming.
Performance: the most responsive default
Parkour, close combat, camera movement, and naval aiming all benefit from a more responsive presentation. Performance targets 60 FPS on base PS5. Ubisoft describes its ray-tracing level in this mode as standard, while global illumination remains ray-traced in every mode.
For players who value control response over the fullest lighting and reflection treatment, the difference in target—60 FPS rather than 30 FPS—is the key reason to choose Performance. It is also the straightforward option if the display does not support 120 Hz.
Balanced: richer visuals at a 40 FPS target
Choose Balanced if your display supports 120 Hz and you want a compromise between Performance and Fidelity. It targets 40 FPS and includes extended ray-tracing features, including ray-traced specular reflections on base PS5.
Balanced is not a 60 FPS mode: its appeal is the middle ground between the 60 FPS Performance target and the 30 FPS Fidelity target. If responsiveness is your priority, Performance is the better fit; if the extended visual effects matter more and you accept a lower target, Balanced is the alternative to Fidelity.
Fidelity: the visual-priority option
Fidelity targets 30 FPS and prioritizes the highest visual-quality presentation. On base PS5, it includes extended ray-tracing features, including ray-traced specular reflections.
Choose it when image quality and visual richness matter more to you than faster response. The trade-off is most noticeable in actions where camera movement or timing is important, so it is a deliberate preference rather than the best all-purpose setting.
Is Performance mode better on PS5 Pro?
For most PS5 Pro players, yes. Performance keeps the 60 FPS target while the Pro offers extended ray tracing in every mode and uses PSSR 2 reconstruction, making it a stronger visual compromise than Performance on base PS5.
On base PS5, choosing Performance means accepting the standard ray-tracing level rather than the extended specular-reflection features offered by Balanced and Fidelity. On PS5 Pro, Ubisoft says extended ray-traced specular reflections are available across all three modes. That changes the trade-off: Pro players can favor the 60 FPS target without losing access to the extended ray-tracing feature set.
When Balanced still makes sense on PS5 Pro
Balanced remains a reasonable choice if your display supports 120 Hz and you prefer a 40 FPS presentation over the faster response of Performance. Select it for that preference, not because the 120 Hz display changes its published target to 120 FPS.
When to use Fidelity on PS5 Pro
Fidelity is for a specific priority: the highest visual-quality presentation at a 30 FPS target. If you do not actively prefer that slower presentation, Performance is the more balanced everyday choice on Pro.
Does Balanced mode require a 120 Hz display?
Yes. Ubisoft specifies a 120 Hz-capable display for Balanced mode, which targets 40 FPS on both PS5 and PS5 Pro. A 60 Hz display should generally use Performance or Fidelity instead.
A 120 Hz-capable display is necessary for Balanced, but it does not turn the mode into a 120 FPS option: the published target is 40 FPS. The relevant compatibility chain can include the display, the console’s output configuration, and the connection between them. The available specifications do not establish a universal cable model requirement, so do not assume a particular cable is necessary without checking the requirements for your own setup.
- 60 Hz display: choose Performance for responsiveness or Fidelity for the visual-priority presentation.
- 120 Hz-capable display: Balanced becomes an option if you want its 40 FPS target and broader ray-tracing features.
- 4K/120 Hz setup: confirm that the display and console output are configured for the capabilities you intend to use; the mode specification alone does not verify every part of a particular setup.
How should I choose between FPS and visual quality?
Start with the way you want the game to feel, then use ray-tracing features as the tie-breaker. Performance favors response, Balanced splits the difference for 120 Hz display owners, and Fidelity favors visual quality.
| Your priority | Recommended mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Responsive parkour, combat, camera movement, and naval aiming | Performance | Its published target is 60 FPS on either PS5 model. |
| A 40 FPS middle ground and extended ray-tracing features | Balanced | It targets 40 FPS and requires a 120 Hz-capable display. |
| The highest visual-quality presentation | Fidelity | It prioritizes image quality at a 30 FPS target. |
| Strong response on PS5 Pro without giving up extended ray tracing | Performance | PS5 Pro makes extended ray tracing available in every mode and uses PSSR 2 reconstruction. |
For base PS5, the clearest visual-feature distinction is that Balanced and Fidelity include extended ray-traced specular reflections, while Performance uses the standard ray-tracing level. Ray-traced global illumination is retained in every base PS5 mode. On PS5 Pro, extended ray-traced specular reflections are available in all modes, so your choice can focus more directly on the preferred frame-rate target.
Did Title Update 1.0.8 change the PS5 graphics targets?
Ubisoft’s Title Update 1.0.8 notes do not explicitly say whether the PS5 frame-rate targets or graphics-mode allocation changed. The latest published official specifications still describe Performance at 60 FPS, Balanced at 40 FPS, and Fidelity at 30 FPS, but the update notes alone do not confirm that every rendering target was preserved.
Ubisoft published the notes on October 26, 2026, for release on October 27. The company called 1.0.8 the final major content update and said smaller quality-of-life updates would follow. Its listed fixes include stability improvements, a fix for damaged Jackdaw visuals, and a fix for enemy animation snapping. These notes provide update context, not a new confirmation of the graphics modes.
What are the best PS5 settings for Black Flag Resynced?
For a 60 Hz setup, begin with Performance. On a 120 Hz display, try Balanced if the 40 FPS target and richer ray-tracing features suit your preference; use Fidelity when you intentionally want the visual-priority 30 FPS presentation. On PS5 Pro, Performance is the strongest general-purpose recommendation because extended ray tracing remains available across modes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Balanced mode run at 120 FPS on a 120 Hz screen?
No. Ubisoft’s published target for Balanced is 40 FPS; 120 Hz is the display requirement for the mode, not its frame-rate target. The published mode targets are not independent measurements of how every scene performs.
Are the published FPS targets guaranteed in every scene?
They are mode targets in Ubisoft’s specifications, not a scene-by-scene performance test or a guarantee of a perfectly locked frame rate. The available update notes do not add a newer confirmation of sustained performance.
Is Title Update 1.0.8 the last update for the game?
Ubisoft described it as the final major content update, while saying smaller quality-of-life updates would follow. That wording does not mean no further updates of any kind are planned.