What is hitscan?

In video games, hitscan refers to a type of weapon or attack where the game instantly determines if a shot hits its target. Unlike projectile-based weapons, which simulate the travel time of a bullet or other projectile, hitscan weapons fire an invisible "ray" from the weapon to the target. If the ray intersects with an enemy's hitbox, the hit is registered immediately.

Here's a breakdown of important aspects:

• Instantaneous Hit Detection: The key characteristic is the near-instantaneous nature of hit detection. There's no travel time or projectile to visually track.

• Raycasting: The game uses raycasting, which involves drawing a line (the "ray") from the weapon's origin point to the point where the player is aiming.

• Accuracy: Hitscan weapons are often perceived as more accurate, especially at longer ranges, due to the absence of projectile physics or bullet drop considerations. However, accuracy can still be affected by factors like recoil or spread.

• Advantages: Faster response time, easier to aim, and simpler to code.

• Disadvantages: Can feel less realistic compared to projectile weapons, and may require careful balancing to avoid being overpowered.

• Examples: Classic examples of hitscan weapons include the sniper rifle in Counter-Strike and the railgun in Quake. Common weapons like pistols and rifles in many FPS games use hitscan as well.

• Hitboxes: The game determines if a hit is registered by seeing if the ray intersects an enemy's hitbox.

• Lag Compensation: Due to the instantaneous nature of hitscan, games with online multiplayer components often employ lag compensation techniques to account for network latency and ensure a fair experience.