A comprehensive guide and helpful tips for newcomers to Valorant.

Austen Goslin (he/him) serves as an entertainment editor, focusing on the newest television series and films, with a special passion for the horror genre.

Valorant is the latest addition to the shooter genre from Riot Games. Distinct from titles like Call of Duty or Overwatch, it is a tactical shooter that aligns more with the style of Counter-Strike. In this game, precision is essential, collaboration is vital, and each shot can be deadly. If you’re new to tactical shooters or simply need a refresher on what makes Valorant unique, here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Fundamental rules for playing Valorant matches

A game consists of two teams, each comprising five players. Prior to the start of the game, each participant chooses a character, referred to as an Agent, who possesses a distinct array of abilities. Each team is limited to a single Agent of each type. The game is played in rounds, and the team that secures victory in 13 rounds first is declared the winner of the match.

In the game, one squad takes on the role of the Attackers while the other assumes the role of the Defenders. After completing 12 rounds, the teams exchange roles. The objective for the Attackers is to plant a bomb, referred to as the Spike, at one of the designated bomb sites scattered across the map. Meanwhile, the Defenders must protect these sites, either by defusing the Spike once it has been planted or by stopping the Attackers from planting it before the round concludes. Additionally, a round can be won by either team by eliminating all members of the opposing team, as players do not respawn during a round.

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At the start of each round, all participants in the game receive a currency known as Creds, which they can utilize in the Buy Phase to acquire weapons, armor, and abilities. The quantity of Creds awarded to players is influenced by their performance in the preceding round. Activities such as planting the Spike, securing kills, and the outcome of a round—whether a win or a loss—will provide additional Creds.

Suggestion #1: Opt for walking instead of running.

Whenever you sprint in Valorant, which is the standard movement speed, your footsteps create noise that can be detected by nearby enemies. The sound is so pronounced that a small circle appears on your minimap, indicating the range of your footsteps. To minimize this noise, you can choose to walk by holding the Shift key. While walking is slower, it enhances your shooting accuracy in case you need to fire quickly before coming to a halt, and it renders you silent, allowing you and your teammates to approach enemy locations undetected.

In Valorant, it’s advisable to walk to most locations unless (A) you’re certain there are no opponents nearby, (B) the enemy is already aware of your position, or (C) you’re in a rush to reach a destination. If you’re sure there are no enemies in the vicinity and need to move swiftly, equip your knife, as it allows for quicker movement than running with a firearm.

Image credit: Riot Games, as featured on Polygon.

Tip #2: Avoid running while shooting.

Keeping in mind the advice about movement, it’s important to understand that in Valorant, shooting while running is not effective, so it’s best to refrain from doing so. If you find yourself in motion and spot an enemy you wish to engage, make sure to come to a complete stop before you take your shot. It may take some time for your aim to stabilize, but as you practice, you’ll develop a better sense of when your shots are likely to hit the mark. Additionally, the reticle’s size changing can serve as a useful indicator of your shooting accuracy.

Mastering this skill will require practice, but one of the most common errors made by novice Valorant players is attempting to run and shoot simultaneously, only to be puzzled by their missed shots.

How does shooting while on the move work? When you walk—typically by holding the Shift key—your initial shots will hit the mark, similar to when you are stationary. This means that if you spot an enemy while walking, you can quickly begin shooting. However, after the initial shots, your accuracy will begin to decline more significantly compared to when you are not moving.

Tip #3: Recognize the right moments to conserve your Creds.

When starting out in Valorant, it might be tempting to spend all your Creds on weapons and abilities at the beginning of each round. However, it’s wiser to hold onto your Creds for more strategic purchases and to coordinate with your teammates. For instance, if you’re the only player on your team with a gun while the others are equipped with only the standard pistol, your chances of winning the round are slim. By saving your Creds for a round or two, you can allow your teammates to accumulate some as well, leading to a stronger team with weapons and armor, which significantly increases your chances of winning that round and maintaining your gear for future rounds.

Whenever you complete a round successfully, you retain the weapons you had at the end of that round. Therefore, if a superior weapon is dropped, make sure to pick it up before the round concludes. If you are eliminated, you will have to purchase new weapons, irrespective of your team’s outcome. Abilities will transfer to the next round if you haven’t utilized them, and any armor that remains intact will also carry over to the following round, provided you survive.

When you begin playing Valorant, it’s important to consider the various types of rounds. You can communicate your strategies to your teammates through voice chat, or utilize the convenient buttons on the buy menu, which include options like “Save.” Additionally, you can inform your teammates if you have a substantial amount of money available.

Conserve Ammunition

People tend to purchase minimal items in anticipation of saving for the upcoming buying phase. This could result in not making any purchases at all, or opting to buy just a pistol along with a single ability.

Complete Purchase Rounds

Each member of the team acquires firearms, typically opting for rifles or sniper rifles, along with protective gear and any necessary skills.

Compulsory Purchase Phases

Although you lack sufficient funds for a complete buy round, you and your team decide to make purchases regardless, opting for the best weapons and armor available. This strategy may be employed to surprise the opposition or because securing a victory in this round is crucial for your comeback, leaving no time to accumulate more resources.

Fractional Purchase Phases

This implies that one or two members of the team may purchase a weapon, but the rest ensure they have sufficient Creds for a complete purchase round in the next opportunity.

Image credit: Riot Games, as featured on Polygon.

Suggestion #4: Purchase protective gear.

In Valorant, acquiring weapons is thrilling, but their effectiveness is contingent on your survival. This is where armor plays a crucial role. While purchasing armor may not seem as glamorous, it is often the smartest choice. Without it, your 100 health points can quickly diminish, as just a couple of shots can take you down.

In every Full Buy Round, acquiring armor should be a top priority, even more so than securing the most powerful weapons if your budget is limited. There are two armor options available: the first, priced at 400 Creds, provides an additional 25 health, while the second, costing 1,000 Creds, offers 50 extra health. Both armor types are effective at absorbing 70% of the damage received.

Tip #5: Maintain your reticle at eye level.

Minimizing mouse movement can significantly enhance your aiming and shooting speed. While moving, it’s important to maintain your crosshair at head level, as this is where your opponents are likely to be. Many players, regardless of the shooter, tend to direct their crosshair downward. However, if you encounter an enemy while aiming low, you’ll need to adjust your aim upward. By keeping your crosshair at head height, you can make smaller, quicker adjustments to hit your target.

A great method for practice is to position your firearm at the head level of your teammates before the start of each round. This provides an excellent reference point to help you acclimate.

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