Explore the World of Valorant: A Complete Guide

Want to start playing Valorant but don't know where to begin? This article will guide you from A to Z on how to play, the characters, and basic strategies to quickly immerse yourself in the world of Valorant.

What is Valorant?

Valorant is a PC game announced in October 2019 by the developer of League of Legends, Riot Games. It’s a game that combines elements from Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and, of course, League of Legends.

This is a first-person shooter (FPS) game where two teams of 5 players each compete, with one team attacking and the other defending. The main game mode, Search and Destroy, is very similar to CS:GO. The attackers' goal is to plant a bomb and have it explode, while the defenders try to prevent this. If a team is eliminated before any other win conditions are met, the opposing team wins.

Matches last 25 rounds, each round lasting 100 seconds. The first team to win 13 rounds wins the match. At the start of each round, you have 30 seconds to buy weapons and equipment for that round. If you die in a round, you must wait until the next round to respawn.

How Valorant Works

The main game mode of Valorant is typically played with two teams, "attackers vs. defenders," and your team is randomly assigned a side before the match begins. After 12 rounds, the teams switch sides, and the first team to win 13 rounds wins the match.

• If you are on the attacking team: Try to plant a bomb called Spike at one of the bomb sites on the map. If you and your team successfully protect the planted Spike for 45 seconds, it will explode, and you will win the round.
• If you are on the defending team: You and your teammates must defuse the Spike before it explodes or prevent the enemy from planting the bomb within the 100-second round limit. Additionally, if you manage to get a kill each round, you could simply eliminate the entire opposing team to win the round. So, get ready to show off your skills with your keyboard and mouse!

Before each round, there is a short Buy Phase, where you can use your money to purchase items like armor to boost your health, more effective weapons, or character-specific abilities. Unused abilities carry over to the next round, and if you survive, your remaining guns and armor will also carry over to the next round.

A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Valorant

1. Game Phases

Character Selection

At the start of each match, you can choose an agent. All players must select unique agents, and a good mix of allies is essential to ensure victory.

Buy Phase

On a random map, you will start as either the attacking or defending team. Before each round starts, you need to buy the abilities or weapons listed on the screen. Your performance determines the amount of money you receive, so you may not get a large sum depending on your early rounds. Therefore, you and your teammates should strive for the best results.

In the first round, you start with one ability and a sidearm. You need to earn money to buy better guns and abilities. Help out teammates if they’re short on cash and buy them guns if needed. Planning and winning will earn you more money to purchase items before the round begins.

Starting the Round

If you’re an attacker, your goal is to eliminate the defenders or plant/detonate the Spike. If you’re a defender, you need to eliminate the attackers or hold them off long enough. If they plant the bomb, you can also defuse it to win the round. You only have 100 seconds to execute your plan, so communication and coordination with your team are key to securing victory.

2. Which Weapons to Choose in Valorant?

There is no "best" weapon in Valorant. Your personal playstyle plays a significant role in determining which weapon you should choose. The Phantom and Vandal are two of the most popular choices in the game, but you can choose from sidearms, shotguns, rifles, sniper rifles, heavy weapons, and submachine guns.

Each map is different, and you won’t always have enough money to buy your favorite weapons, so it’s important to practice with various weapons to become familiar with them. You can visit the training area and try all the different guns to get accustomed to them.

3. Tips and Tricks for Better Gameplay

The game currently has quite a few agents and new maps being added, keeping the gameplay loop fresh in Valorant. Regardless of which map or character you’re using, the core objectives remain the same. Here are some tips and tricks to help you win more games if you’re a beginner:

3.1 Planting/Defusing Bombs

While eliminating the enemy team can also win you the round, a poorly timed rush can completely ruin your chances of winning the round. Therefore, focus on your objective of planting or defusing the bomb.

3.2 Angles

If you’re new, take advantage of high ground and small, hidden corners to surprise your enemies. The TTK (time-to-kill) in Valorant is very low, so surprising your opponents can give you a significant advantage in a fight.

3.3 Adaptability

You should be ready to adapt to the enemy team and your own team composition at all times. A single strategy might not work in every match, so players need to continuously adjust their tactics to different situations.

3.4 Coordination

The key to the game is your ability to coordinate with teammates to ensure your team’s success. Valorant is a team-based shooter, and if you can’t communicate and support your team, you won’t find success in the game.

3.5 Combining Characters

Certain characters can create great combos together. You can also combine their abilities with your weapons. Take advantage of smokes and your disruptive abilities to gain the upper hand.

3.6 Listening to Sounds

This will take a lot of practice, but try to listen to footsteps and read the sounds in the game. This will help you stay proactive in all situations, especially when the enemy is using certain abilities.

The above are some insights into the game Valorant and basic gameplay tips for beginners.

Hopefully, this article has helped you grasp the basics of how to play Valorant before joining the queue and fighting alongside your teammates. Have fun gaming with your friends and loved one