About Valorant
Valorant is a free-to-play tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Riot Games. Released in June 2020, Valorant combines precise gunplay mechanics similar to Counter-Strike with unique character abilities inspired by hero shooters like Overwatch, creating a fresh competitive experience.
Game Overview
Valorant is a 5v5 character-based tactical shooter where players choose from a diverse roster of Agents, each with unique abilities. The attacking team must plant a device called the Spike, while the defending team tries to prevent detonation or defuse it.
Core Features
- 25+ Unique Agents: Each with four distinct abilities
- Precise Gunplay: Emphasis on accuracy and recoil control
- Ability Economy: Strategic resource management for abilities
- 128-Tick Servers: Ultra-responsive gameplay
- Anti-Cheat System: Vanguard ensures competitive integrity
- Free-to-Play: All agents unlockable through gameplay
Competitive Scene
Valorant has rapidly established itself as a premier esport with massive investment from Riot Games.
VCT (Valorant Champions Tour)
Structure:
- VCT International Leagues: Americas, EMEA, Pacific
- VCT Masters: Mid-season international tournaments
- VCT Champions: Annual world championship
- Game Changers: Women's competitive circuit
Prize Pools and Salaries
- Champions 2023: $2.25 million prize pool
- Franchised Teams: Minimum $300k player salaries
- Total 2024 Prize Pool: $10+ million across all events
Top Teams (2024)
- Fnatic - European dominance, tactical excellence
- Paper Rex - APAC aggression, explosive playstyle
- LOUD - Brazilian powerhouse, Champions 2022 winners
- Evil Geniuses - NA champions, strategic depth
- DRX - Korean consistency, disciplined gameplay
Legendary Players
- TenZ (Sentinels) - Mechanical prodigy, massive fanbase
- Aspas (LOUD) - Best duelist in the world
- Less (LOUD) - Elite sentinel player
- Derke (Fnatic) - European superstar
- Something (Paper Rex) - Rising star, insane aim
Agent Classes
Duelists
Role: Entry fraggers, create space for team
Agents:
- Jett: Mobile assassin with dash and updraft
- Reyna: Self-sufficient fragger with healing
- Raze: Explosive damage with grenades and rocket
- Phoenix: Self-healing with fire abilities
- Yoru: Deceptive teleporter and clone creator
- Neon: High-speed sprinter with electric abilities
Controllers
Role: Block vision, control areas with smokes
Agents:
- Omen: Teleporting smoker with paranoia
- Brimstone: Orbital smokes and molly
- Viper: Toxic screens and decay damage
- Astra: Cosmic controller with star placement
- Harbor: Water-based walls and smokes
Initiators
Role: Gather information, set up team for success
Agents:
- Sova: Recon arrows and drone
- Breach: Flasher and stunner through walls
- Skye: Healing and flashing with creatures
- KAY/O: Suppression and utility denial
- Fade: Nightmare hunter with tracking
- Gekko: Creature companion controller
Sentinels
Role: Hold sites, provide information, support team
Agents:
- Sage: Healer with walls and resurrection
- Cypher: Information gatherer with tripwires
- Killjoy: Area denial with turret and nanoswarms
- Chamber: Defensive anchor with teleports
- Deadlock: Trapper with sonic sensors and cocoon
Game Modes
Competitive (Ranked)
Format:
- First to 13 rounds wins
- Switch sides at round 12
- Overtime at 12-12 (win by 2)
- 100-second round timer
- 45-second Spike timer
Ranking System:
- Iron (1-3)
- Bronze (1-3)
- Silver (1-3)
- Gold (1-3)
- Platinum (1-3)
- Diamond (1-3)
- Ascendant (1-3)
- Immortal (1-3)
- Radiant (Top 500 per region)
Unrated
Standard 5v5 matches without rank implications. Perfect for practice and experimentation.
Spike Rush
Quick Mode:
- 4 rounds to win
- Everyone has same weapon
- Abilities charge faster
- Orbs provide power-ups
Deathmatch
Free-for-all:
- 14 players
- First to 40 kills wins
- 9-minute time limit
- Instant respawn
- Perfect for aim practice
Team Deathmatch
5v5 Respawn Mode:
- First team to 100 kills
- Instant respawn
- Ability cooldowns
- Casual team practice
Swiftplay
Shorter Matches:
- First to 5 rounds
- Faster economy
- Same competitive rules
- 15-20 minute games
Economy System
Credits and Weapons
Starting Credits:
- Round 1: 800 credits
- Round 2+: Based on previous round result
Income:
- Round Win: 3,000 credits
- Round Loss: 1,900 credits (increases with consecutive losses)
- Spike Plant: 300 credits bonus
- Spike Defuse: 300 credits bonus
- Kill: 200 credits
Weapon Tiers
Sidearms ($0-$800):
- Classic (Free)
- Shorty ($150)
- Frenzy ($450)
- Ghost ($500)
- Sheriff ($800)
SMGs ($900-$1,600):
- Stinger ($950)
- Spectre ($1,600)
Rifles ($2,900-$3,200):
- Bulldog ($2,050)
- Guardian ($2,250)
- Phantom ($2,900)
- Vandal ($2,900)
Sniper Rifles:
- Marshal ($950)
- Operator ($4,700)
Heavy:
- Ares ($1,600)
- Odin ($3,200)
- Judge ($1,850)
Armor and Abilities
- Light Armor: 400 credits (25 HP)
- Heavy Armor: 1,000 credits (50 HP)
- Abilities: 100-400 credits each (agent-specific)
Map Pool
Active Competitive Maps
Ascent (Italy)
- Open mid, two sites
- Mechanical doors
- Balanced map
Bind (Morocco)
- Two sites, no mid
- One-way teleporters
- Aggressive gameplay
Haven (Bhutan)
- Three bomb sites (unique)
- Multiple entry points
- Rotation-heavy
Split (Tokyo)
- Vertical gameplay
- Tight corridors
- Defender-favored
Icebox (Russia)
- Extreme verticality
- Ziplines
- Operator-friendly
Breeze (Caribbean)
- Large, open spaces
- Long sightlines
- Attacker-favored
Fracture (New Mexico)
- H-shaped layout
- Attackers spawn both sides
- Unique design
Pearl (Portugal)
- Mid-focused
- No ropes or teleporters
- Traditional layout
Lotus (India)
- Three sites
- Rotating doors
- Destructible walls
Sunset (Los Angeles)
- Two sites
- Courtyard mid
- Balanced design
Weapon Meta
Rifle Debate: Phantom vs. Vandal
Vandal:
- 160 damage headshot (one-tap at any range)
- Higher recoil
- Preferred for long-range duels
Phantom:
- 140 damage headshot (one-tap only close range)
- Easier spray control
- Silenced, no tracers
- Preferred for spray transfers
Pro Player Preference: Roughly 50/50 split
Operator (AWP)
- One-shot kill to body
- $4,700 cost
- Slow movement speed
- High risk, high reward
- Requires team support
Economy Weapons
Spectre: Best SMG, run-and-gun viable Sheriff: Eco round powerhouse, 145 headshot damage Marshal: Budget sniper, 202 headshot damage
Ability Economy
Unlike weapons, abilities must be purchased each round:
Ability Types
Signature Ability: Recharges automatically or through kills Purchasable Abilities: Must buy each round (100-400 credits) Ultimate Ability: Charges through kills, orbs, or round completions
Ultimate Economy
Orb Points:
- Kill: 1 point
- Death: Lose 1 point
- Spike plant/defuse: 1 point
- Ultimate orbs on map: 1 point each
Competitive Strategies
Team Compositions
Standard Comp:
- 1 Controller (smokes)
- 1-2 Initiators (info/setup)
- 1-2 Duelists (entry)
- 1 Sentinel (anchor)
Double Controller:
- 2 Controllers for heavy smoke coverage
- Popular on maps like Icebox, Breeze
No Duelist:
- Focus on utility and trades
- Slower, methodical gameplay
Attack Strategies
Default: Spread out, gather info, find weak point Execute: Coordinated site hit with full utility Split: Attack site from multiple angles Fake: Pretend to attack one site, rotate to other Rush: Fast aggressive push with minimal utility
Defense Strategies
Standard Setup: Spread across sites with rotators Stack: Put extra players on one site Aggressive: Push for early information Retake: Give up site, retake with full team Lurk Punish: Catch rotating attackers
Skin Economy
Valorant features an extensive cosmetic system:
Skin Tiers
Select Edition: $875 VP ($10) Deluxe Edition: $1,275 VP ($15) Premium Edition: $1,775 VP ($20) Ultra Edition: $2,475 VP ($25) Exclusive Edition: $2,675+ VP (~$30+)
Popular Skin Lines
- Reaver: Dark, gothic aesthetic
- Prime: Futuristic, animated
- Elderflame: Dragon-themed, animated
- Glitchpop: Cyberpunk style
- Champions: Tournament exclusive
- Sentinels of Light: Magical theme
Battle Pass
- Costs 1,000 VP (~$10)
- 50 tiers of rewards
- Exclusive skins and cosmetics
- New pass every ~2 months
Why Valorant Succeeded
Accessibility
- Free-to-play with no pay-to-win
- Lower system requirements than competitors
- Comprehensive tutorial and practice modes
- Agent unlocks through gameplay
Competitive Integrity
- Vanguard anti-cheat (controversial but effective)
- 128-tick servers
- Consistent updates and balance patches
- Transparent communication from developers
Esports Investment
- Franchised leagues with team salaries
- Regular international tournaments
- Game Changers for women's competition
- Massive prize pools and viewership
Content Creator Support
- Built-in streaming features
- Creator codes for revenue sharing
- Regular content updates
- Community engagement
Community and Culture
Content Creators
- TenZ: Pro player, massive Twitch following
- Tarik: Former CS:GO pro, co-streaming king
- Shroud: FPS legend, Valorant enthusiast
- Pokimane: Variety streamer, Valorant regular
- Hiko: Former CS:GO pro, Valorant pioneer
Memes and Phrases
- "Diff" (skill difference)
- "Cringe" (bad play)
- "Eco Frag" (kill on save round)
- "Thrifty" (win while spending less)
- "Ace" (one player kills entire enemy team)
Getting Started
New players should:
- Complete the tutorial and practice range
- Play Unrated to learn maps and agents
- Start with simple agents (Sage, Brimstone, Phoenix)
- Focus on crosshair placement and movement
- Learn one map thoroughly before expanding
- Watch pro matches and educational content
- Practice in Deathmatch daily
- Communicate with team
Valorant combines the best elements of tactical shooters with innovative agent abilities, creating a unique competitive experience that rewards both mechanical skill and strategic thinking. Whether you're a casual player or aspiring pro, Valorant offers depth and excitement for all skill levels. ```
