If you’re new to the world of tactical shooters, Valorant is an excellent (or toxic, IYKWIM) place to start. Released in June 2020 by Riot Games, this 5v5 first-person shooter (FPS) blends fast-paced gunplay with strategic team coordination. Whether you’re a seasoned FPS veteran or just dipping your toes into the gaming pool, Valorant offers an experience that’s challenging, fun, and seriously addictive.
But let’s get real for a second. Valorant is not the game to kick back and relax with a cup of tea. No, this one’s going to get your heart pounding, your reflexes firing, and your brain working overtime. Don’t worry though, I’ve got you covered with this beginner-friendly guide that’ll help you jump into the action.
Game Overview: What is Valorant?
At its core, Valorant is all about two teams—Attackers and Defenders—taking turns planting or defusing a bomb (called the Spike). The first team to win 13 rounds takes the victory, and boy, does it feel good to win.
Each round lasts about 100 seconds, so it’s quick and intense. Think of it like a game of chess but with guns, explosions, and abilities that can mess with your opponents in clever ways.
Here’s the deal: Valorant is free to play (your wallet will love that), but it’s currently exclusive to PC in most regions. But good news console warriors! VALORANT has officially launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil.
Game Modes: Choose Your Style
Valorant offers a few different game modes, but we’ll focus on the most popular ones: Unrated, Competitive, and Deathmatch.
- Unrated: This is your go-to casual mode. No ranks, no pressure—just pure, unfiltered Valorant gameplay. It’s a great place to get your bearings, learn the maps, and experiment with different strategies.
- Competitive: Same format as Unrated, but with one crucial twist: your wins and losses affect your rank. Want to flex on your friends? Climbing the Competitive ladder will give you those sweet, sweet bragging rights, or maybe even lose a brain cell or two. See below for the ranking list!
- Deathmatch: A free-for-all warm-up mode where the only goal is to shoot anything that moves. It’s fast-paced and perfect for improving your aim or shaking off the rust after a long day. No need to worry about planting or defusing bombs here—just shoot, respawn, repeat.
Meet the Maps: Know Your Battleground
Valorant’s maps are where the magic happens. Each map has bomb sites (labeled A, B, and sometimes C), and these locations are where attackers need to plant the Spike and defenders need to…well, defend.
Every map is uniquely designed with tactical opportunities, chokepoints, and a few cheeky spots for sneaky plays. What makes these maps extra cool is that they’re set in real-world locations, adding an immersive layer to the game’s futuristic vibe.
A piece of advice: If you’re starting out, take some time to explore the maps and get familiar with bomb sites and callout locations. It’ll pay off when you need to coordinate with your team later on.
Agents: Who Are You Playing As?
One of the things that sets Valorant apart from other FPS games is its Agents—playable characters, each with unique abilities that can drastically change how the game is played. There are four main classes of agents:
- Duelists: The in-your-face, get-the-job-done types. Duelists are often the ones to lead the charge and secure kills. As a beginner, try starting with Phoenix, a self-sustaining agent with a mix of damage and healing abilities.
- Controllers: These guys are the tacticians. They use smokes, flashes, and other abilities to control areas and block off enemy vision. Viper is a fantastic pick for beginners who like playing mind games with their enemies.
- Initiators: Their job is to start the fight, using their abilities to push enemies into bad spots or clear corners. Fade is a good starting point—her abilities are great for tracking and isolating enemies.
- Sentinels: The unsung heroes of any team. Sentinels are defensive specialists who can lock down bomb sites and support their teams. Sage, with her healing and slowing abilities, is perfect for beginners who like playing a supportive role.
Here’s a tip: To improve faster, watch the pros in action during VALORANT Champions Tour matches and try to mimic their style.
Players I recommend to watch and study from:
- Grim – Innovating with Battle Sage, he turns a support character into an aggressive force with clever off-angle plays and unexpected wall placements.
- Seoldam – Known for his mechanical skills, sharp aim, and lightning-fast reactions, Seoldam maximizes Jett’s potential and is one of the greatest players in South Korea.
- Boaster – As Fnatic’s in-game leader, Boaster is a top-tier competitive player who explains his thought process during Radiant-level games on stream, making it easy to learn from him.
- Hiko – With pinpoint accuracy and incredible map awareness, Hiko is a must-watch, especially if you want to master Sova.
- TenZ – Needless to say, he is quite literally the one who influenced thousands of people to play Valorant, the real GOAT. TenZ’s aim and flick speed are unmatched. Watching his stream is a great way to understand high-level gameplay. While copying his settings won’t instantly make you a pro, it’s a good starting point.
Weapons: What’s in Your Arsenal?
Valorant’s weapons are as diverse as its agents, but you’ll want to start by mastering a few key guns.
- Vandal: The Vandal is a favorite for its ability to one-tap opponents with a headshot, regardless of distance. It’s a high-risk, high-reward weapon.
- Phantom: If you prefer a gun with more forgiving recoil, the Phantom is your go-to. While it doesn’t pack the same one-shot punch as the Vandal, it’s quieter and more manageable.
- Operator: The big daddy of sniper rifles. If you love picking off enemies from a distance, the Operator delivers massive damage—but it’s expensive, so use it wisely.
- Sheriff: A hand cannon that punches hard, the Sheriff is perfect for those low-economy rounds when you can’t afford a full loadout but still want to make an impact.
Pro tip: If you’re new, try focusing on one or two guns to start, and practice with them in The Range, Valorant’s built-in training mode.
Tips and Tricks for Newbies
Before you dive headfirst into your first match, here are a few tips from a fellow FPS gamer to help you get a leg up:
- Aim for the Head: This seems obvious, but headshots in Valorant are critical. Train yourself to aim for the head, and you’ll be racking up kills faster than you can say “Spike planted.”
- Communicate: Valorant is a team game, and good communication is key. Even if your teammates are silent, call out enemy locations, relay important info, and stay positive.
- Master One Agent: Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to learn every agent right away. Pick one or two and really hone your skills with them. You’ll be far more effective if you specialize early on.
- Timing is Everything: Understanding the game’s timing—how long it takes to plant the spike, defuse it, and perform other actions—can give you an edge. Practice makes perfect here.
- No Toxicity Allowed: Everyone makes mistakes, especially in high-pressure games like Valorant. Be the positive teammate that others enjoy playing with, and you’ll find yourself winning more often, not to mention making friends along the way.
Get in the Game
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to jump into the fray and experience Valorant for yourself. Remember, every match is a learning opportunity, so don’t get discouraged if things don’t go your way right out of the gate.
Valorant is a game of strategy, reflexes, and teamwork, but most of all, it’s about having fun. So grab your headset, pick your agent, and get ready to plant some Spikes!
Siew Mai is a seasoned writer with over 6 years of experience, known for her natural and friendly writing style. She’s an avid gamer who loves diving into the world of esports and sharing her insights with fellow enthusiasts. Siew Mai also has a knack for finance and IT, blending these interests to provide a unique perspective in her articles. Whether she’s chatting about the latest game tactics, exploring investment tips, or discussing tech trends, Siew Mai’s genuine passion and expertise welcome readers looking to learn and enjoy.