The default input settings for controller are so slow it’s literally impossible to be competitive in PvP if you use them.
Here’s what I personally use after many thousands of hours of playtime and being a person who constantly fiddles with these input settings because I had trouble ever feeling like anything I picked was a good option.
Now I don’t change them, I leave them be because I know there’s nothing really better than this IMO. You can go faster and lose control or you can go slower and not be able to turn around fast enough to be competitive but this I feel is the sweet spot or very close to it.
You will need to plug in a usb mouse (can be wired or wireless) to be able to select a response curve of 2.2 most likely.
As far as aim assist settings leave it turned on and at default levels. It will help you in PvP.
The first adjustment you should make if you don’t like these settings is decide is this too fast for me or too slow for me?
Then adjust “Controller Sensitivity” in half steps and test again. Leave everything else alone especially the response curve.
The 2.2 response curve gives the most useable acceleration IMO for all ranges close and far.
Settings - Controller
Adding custom controls to the dpad and pushing in the right stick for throwables, planks, bucket and food.
Settings - Gameplay
Set Reduce hold to interact to ON, Disable Ship Sitting Spots and optionally Disable Ship Trinket Interactions recommended if you aren’t actively changing your vessel’s decorations.
Disable Auto-vote on proposed voyages
Settings - Graphics
Set Field of View to max (90), disable blur from ghostly treasure and disable screen shake from firing cannons.
Settings - Audio
Turn the Player Chat Indicator ON to know when you’re speaking in game chat.
Settings - Matchmaking
Optionally play with Xbox players only if you are playing on Xbox.