Valorant can be a tough game to get into. It's built on the bones of CS:GO, a notoriously unforgiving shooter, but adds in colourful characters with unique abilities, too. Persevere, though, and Riot's shooter quickly becomes a cornerstone of any PC gamer's rotation of games — and since it's free, you've got nothing to lose.
Here's how to hone your skills and improve your gameplay in Valorant.
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Read More: "It’s Literally So Simple Yet So Elegant" - Shroud Explains Why VALORANT Is Easier Than CS:GO
Practice Makes Perfect
It may sound obvious, but the game's firing range is a great place to practice those wrist flicks and headshots. Through practicing, too, you'll be able to work out what the best sensitivity is for you, and mess around with your crosshair settings.
The mode offers the entire range of weaponry, as well as customisable target spawn rates, making it ideal for a warm-up even if you're an expert. You can go ahead and work out which weapons are best for you, and decide between the Valorant holy grail that is deemed the Phantom and Vandal.
Try Other Modes
If you're struggling to hit a barn door with a banjo, why not try a Deathmatch? I love it.
It sounds bizarre to try to pit yourself against other players in a free-for-all when you're not the most confident gunslinger. However, by allowing respawns, random spawn points, and a choice of weapons, it's a great way to get used to the game — albeit without using abilities.
Then there's Spike Rush, which restricts players to a set weapon in fast-paced, objective-based modes. It's a nice preamble to the game's standard bomb-planting mode, and is well worth a try if you can't stomach going the full 45-minutes for a single game. This mode is particularly great for forcing yourself to try out different guns that you may not usually play with. Who knows, you may find your new favourite weapon!
Other Key Tips
Here are some vital considerations for upping your game in Valorant, particularly if you're a newcomer:
- Avoid running where possible. Holding 'Shift' while moving allows you to move silent, albeit at a slower pace. This prevents the enemy from knowing your location, and you'll also be more accurate.
- Stop, drop, and pop. Where possible, if you're approaching an enemy, consider stopping, crouching and firing. Firing while moving is a sure fire way to fire almost anywhere but at your actual enemy.
- Shields are crucial — be sure to buy it when you get a chance before rounds.
- Use your abilities! They're there for a reason, after all. Many of them can deal extra damage, blind or block enemies, and heal yourself or your team at vital moments.
- Communicate with your teammates where possible. If you aren't using voice communications, utilise Valorant's ping system to be able to alert teammates of enemies or ask them for help.
That's all you need to know if you're wanting to improve at Valorant. You can only improve and get better if you keep playing, so go throw yourself into a game. Try out different agents to see who works best for your play style, and if you're a beginner, we recommend a healer like Sage or Skye. You'll be climbing ranks in no time!
This article was updated on 15th November 2021 by Kelsey Raynor.