Shooting Styles - Advanced Combat Animation System for FiveM

Shooting Styles revolutionizes FiveM combat by replacing default shooting animations with customizable combat stances and firing styles. This animation overhaul gives players control over how their character handles weapons, from tactical two-handed grips to aggressive one-handed stances. Law enforcement, gang members, and civilian gun owners can now express their character's combat training and personality through their shooting form. Whether you're running a strict police department with by-the-book tactics or a street gang with wild shooting styles, this script delivers the visual authenticity that elevates combat roleplay.

What's Included in This Animation System

You're getting a complete combat animation replacement system with multiple shooting stance options for every weapon category. The script detects weapon type and applies appropriate animation sets, supporting pistols, SMGs, rifles, and heavy weapons with category-specific stances. Players can switch between shooting styles on-the-fly using configurable keybinds or menu selections.

The system includes professional tactical stances (two-handed grip, isosceles stance, weaver stance), aggressive street styles (sideways grip, one-handed extended, low ready), and specialized combat forms (point shooting, retention shooting, cover-based firing). Each animation set has been motion-captured and refined for realistic weight distribution and recoil management that matches real-world shooting techniques.

Key Features That Transform Combat Gameplay

• Multiple Stance Categories - Tactical, aggressive, defensive, and specialized shooting styles for different combat scenarios and character types
• Weapon-Type Detection - Automatically applies appropriate animations based on pistol, rifle, SMG, or heavy weapon categories
• Real-Time Switching - Change shooting styles mid-combat with configurable keybinds or radial menu selection
• Accuracy Integration - Optional accuracy modifiers tied to stance selection (tactical stances improve accuracy, aggressive styles increase spread)
• Movement Animations - Includes walk/run animations while aiming that match selected shooting style
• Cover System Compatible - Works seamlessly with cover-based combat scripts and maintains proper weapon positioning
• Character Persistence - Saves player's preferred shooting style across sessions and respawns
• Performance Optimized - Minimal resource usage (0.00-0.01ms resmon) with efficient animation streaming

Available Shooting Stances

• Isosceles Tactical - Modern law enforcement stance with squared shoulders, two-handed grip, proper sight alignment
• Weaver Combat - Classic combat stance with bladed body position, push-pull grip tension
• One-Handed Extended - Aggressive street style with arm fully extended, sideways or straight grip
• Gangster Sideways - Tilted weapon grip with aggressive posture (reduced accuracy, high intimidation factor)
• Low Ready Position - Weapon pointed down at 45 degrees, quick transition to firing position
• Point Shooting - Instinctive shooting without sight alignment, faster target acquisition
• Retention Shooting - Close-quarters stance with weapon pulled tight to body
• Cover-Based Firing - Reduced exposure stance for shooting from behind cover

Perfect For These Roleplay Scenarios

• Police departments requiring tactical shooting standards for trained officers
• Gang territories where members use aggressive street shooting styles
• Military/PMC factions with specialized combat training protocols
• Gun range training scenarios where characters learn proper techniques
• Character development showing skill progression (new players start with poor form, improve over time)
• Intimidation roleplay where shooting stance communicates threat level
• Heist planning where crew members practice specific firing positions

Technical Specifications

• File Size: ~8 MB (includes all animation dictionaries and stance configurations)
• Performance Impact: 0.00-0.01ms resmon (negligible resource usage)
• Animation Streaming: Efficient streaming system loads only active stances to minimize memory usage
• Weapon Categories: Supports pistols, SMGs, assault rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns, heavy weapons
• Keybind Configuration: Fully customizable controls for stance switching
• Database Integration: Optional persistence system saves player preferences

Installation Guide

1. Extract the shooting-styles resource to your server's resources directory
2. Add ensure shooting-styles to your server.cfg file
3. Configure available stances in config.lua (enable/disable specific styles for your server)
4. Set up keybind controls or integrate with your existing menu system
5. Configure accuracy modifiers if using gameplay balance features (optional)
6. Set up permission restrictions if limiting certain stances to specific jobs/groups
7. Restart server and test all stance transitions with various weapon types

Framework Compatibility

• ✅ ESX - Full compatibility, optional integration with esx_jobs for role-based stance restrictions
• ✅ QBCore - Works with qb-core permissions, can restrict tactical stances to police/gang jobs
• ✅ QBOX - Complete compatibility with job and permission systems
• ✅ Standalone - Functions independently without framework dependencies, all players access all stances

Configuration Options

The script offers extensive customization to match your server's gameplay balance and roleplay standards. Server owners can enable or disable specific shooting styles, restrict tactical stances to trained characters (police, military), or make aggressive styles exclusive to gang members. Accuracy modifiers can be configured to reward proper technique or penalize unrealistic shooting forms.

Keybind configurations support both keyboard and controller inputs. You can set up a simple toggle system (cycle through stances with one key) or a radial menu system (select from visual stance previews). The menu can display stance names, descriptions, and accuracy impacts to help players make informed tactical choices.

What Makes This Combat System Stand Out

Most FiveM combat scripts focus on damage values and weapon stats while ignoring the visual component of combat. Shooting Styles addresses this gap by making combat look as good as it feels. When players see an officer using proper isosceles stance versus a gang member firing sideways, the visual difference immediately communicates training, discipline, and threat assessment.

The animation quality separates this system from basic stance mods. These aren't stiff, lifeless poses - each stance includes proper weight distribution, natural body mechanics, and realistic recoil management. Characters lean into their shots, manage muzzle rise, and maintain proper sight pictures. The movement animations while aiming ensure that characters don't break stance when strafing or repositioning during firefights.

Gameplay Balance Considerations

The optional accuracy modifier system creates meaningful tactical choices. Players using proper two-handed tactical stances gain improved accuracy and reduced recoil, rewarding correct technique. Aggressive one-handed or sideways grips increase weapon spread but allow for faster movement speed or intimidation bonuses in robbery scenarios.

This system can be configured as purely cosmetic (all stances equal performance) or as a gameplay mechanic (stance choice affects combat effectiveness). Most servers find success with a middle ground - slight accuracy bonuses for proper technique without making improper stances unusable. This encourages learning correct forms while still allowing stylistic choices for character expression.

Roleplay Integration Tips

Police departments should establish training protocols where recruits learn proper shooting stances at the gun range before field deployment. Create certification systems where officers must demonstrate proficiency with tactical stances to qualify for patrol duty. Gang factions can develop signature shooting styles that members adopt as part of their crew identity.

Gun stores and shooting ranges can offer training services where instructors teach players how to switch stances and explain the tactical benefits of each form. This creates employment roleplay for trainers while educating new players about the system's features. Character development arcs can show progression from amateur spray and pray styles to disciplined tactical shooting as players gain experience.

Performance and Optimization

The animation streaming system ensures minimal performance impact by loading only active stance animations. When a player switches to a new style, the system unloads previous animations and streams the new set, keeping memory usage low. The script runs at 0.00-0.01ms on resmon, making it viable even for heavily modded servers with resource constraints.

All stance switches are client-side synced, meaning the server doesn't handle animation state for every player. This reduces server load while ensuring all nearby players see consistent shooting styles. The optional persistence system uses minimal database calls (only on player join/quit), avoiding performance degradation from constant saves.

Support and Updates

Purchase includes the complete shooting styles system with all stance animations, configuration files, and installation documentation. Support is available for setup assistance, framework integration questions, and configuration guidance. Updates may include new stance options, animation refinements, and compatibility patches for major framework updates.

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