Since VALORANT’s debut in 2020, the first-person shooter from Riot Games has drawn the attention of millions of gamers around the world. It also quickly became a staple in the esports scene, boasting a competitive community and action-packed tournaments.
This guide is your first-class ticket to uncovering everything you need to know about VALORANT, including a deep exploration of the different game modes, maps, and agents. But that’s not all—find out why it’s become so incredibly popular and all the steps you need to dominate on the battlefield!
More About What is VALORANT
What Type Of Game Is VALORANT?
VALORANT is a free-to-play 5v5 character-based tactical shooter game. It was created by Riot Games, the same developers as the successful multiplayer online battle arena title League of Legends. As of April 2024, VALORANT ranks as the 4th most popular esports title by peak viewership.
Launched on June 2, 2020, VALORANT masterfully blends elements from iconic team-based series like Counter-Strike and Overwatch to offer a unique gaming experience. With its mix of gunplay and agent abilities, VALORANT is a favorite among gamers seeking a fresh challenge.
How Popular Is VALORANT In 2024?
According to tracker.gg, VALORANT had over 16.4 million players as of April 2024, with ~70% being Zoomers (i.e., users born between 1995 and 2010). The daily active player count is about 5 million, surpassing Valve’s Counter-Strike 2, with a 24-hour peak of 1.5 million daily active players.
VALORANT has also received many awards and nominations, including The Game Award’s “Best Esports Game” and the Golden Joystick Award’s “Best Streaming Game” trophies in 2023. The game boasts an all-time peak viewership of 1.7 million and has awarded over $27.9 million in prize money to teams and players.
VALORANT has a bustling streaming community, too. Between April 5-19, 2024, the shooter averaged roughly 120,000 viewers. It peaked at 864,444 viewers with more than 40.9 million hours watched.
Sources: SteamDB, Esports Charts, and SullyGnome.
How Many Game Modes Are There In VALORANT?
There are currently nine game modes in VALORANT. They are Unrated, Competitive, Spike Rush, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Escalation, Premier, Swiftplay, and Replication. Each mode varies dramatically in overall skill and gameplay, ranging from casual to highly competitive.
Below, you’ll find an overview of all the game modes in VALORANT.
Unrated
This is the main game mode in VALORANT. Two teams of five players compete to either secure 13 round wins by planting or detonating the spike—or by eliminating all players on the opposing side. It’s less intense than Competitive games, making it fun for veterans and newcomers alike.
Competitive
Competitive is nearly identical to Unrated. The main difference is that all players are matched by their skill level (or rank rating), which is adjusted based on their performance in each game. To play, you must be Level 20+ and complete five placement matches.
Spike Rush
Spike Rush is similar to Unrated, except it’s much faster-paced. Instead of best-of-25 rounds, the first team to reach four round wins (i.e., best-of-seven) will be victorious. Everyone has the same weapons and shields, with fully-charged abilities apart from ults. Also, each player on the attacking team is given a spike.
Deathmatch
Deathmatch is a free-for-all. It pits 12 players against each other, with the win condition set at 40 kills (or whoever has the most kills after 9 minutes). Deathmatch centers purely on gunplay, as agents are randomly assigned and all abilities are muted.
Team Deathmatch
Team Deathmatch is the 5v5 team-based version of Deathmatch. Matches are played on four maps, and the first team to get 100 kills (or the most kills after the 10-minute timer runs out) wins. Players can change loadouts during matches and they have access to abilities, which charge up over time and after each kill.
Escalation
This is a fast-paced 5v5 Team Deathmatch-style game mode. Teams race to progress through 12 Escalation levels of weapons and ability sets. Each level requires kills to advance, and players must secure at least one kill with each weapon. The first team to complete all levels (or the furthest along after 10 minutes) wins.
Premier
Premier is a structured competitive game mode that simulates a tournament environment. It aims to bridge the gap between Competitive and the VALORANT Champions Tour. You’ll need a pre-established team of five players who can play up to two games each weekend over the one-month series. The mode includes a ban phase for maps and agents and an Overtime Priority system for 12-12 ties.
Swiftplay
Swiftplay is a shortened version of Unrated. In this game mode, the first team to secure five round wins (i.e., best-of-nine) will triumph. The only difference is that players begin each half with two points for their ult, and most games end within 15 minutes.
Replication
Teams play as the same agent in this 5v5 game mode (e.g., five Sovas versus five Jetts). Players vote on an agent in pre-match voting, and the game then randomly selects an agent from the pool. It is played as a best-of-nine Spike mode, with 80-second rounds, 45-second pistol rounds, and 30-second subsequent rounds. The first team to five rounds wins.
How Many Ranks Are There In VALORANT?
VALORANT players can earn one of 25 ranks by playing Competitive games. These ranks are divided into nine tiers, with three sub-ranks each, except for the top rank, Radiant, which is reserved for the best 500 players in each region.
Here is a breakdown the VALORANT ranks in ascending order:
- 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 players per region)
Your account must be Level 20+ to unlock Competitive game mode in VALORANT. After playing five placement matches, you’ll receive your initial rank rating and skill level. This rank will increase or decrease based on wins and losses in Competitive matches.
Pro Tip: Want to reach Ascendant and beyond? Learn how to climb the VALORANT ranks in our dedicated guide, detailing all the crucial tips and tricks to escape ELO hell!
How Many Maps Are There In VALORANT?
Riot Games has released ten maps for VALORANT (excluding maps for modes like Team Deathmatch and Spike Rush). Each map has a distinct backstory and features different layouts and choke points. These landscapes range from a peaceful Buddhist monastery to underwater cityscapes.
Some maps have extra Spike plant sites, challenging defensive setups and promoting more dynamic gameplay. These varied settings also encourage a different tactical approach to matches each time, including varied agent compositions and utility usage to dominate.
Below is a list of playable maps in VALORANT. Be sure to check out the respective pages for more detailed information about the different callouts, the best agents to use, and map-specific attacking and defensive strategies.
VALORANT Maps
Note: Fracture, Haven, and Pearl maps are disabled as of this writing in VALORANT EP 08 Act 1 (patch 8.0). The map pool is updated frequently, with only seven maps available to play at any given time.
How Do You Play VALORANT?
Each VALORANT match pits two teams of five players—attackers and defenders—against one another. The attacking team must try to plant a bomb (or “Spike”) within the defender’s territory and protect it from being neutralized by the defending team. If the Spike detonates, they win the round.
Each game comprises 25 rounds, lasting 100 seconds, with the first team to win 13 rounds claiming victory. Teams can buy weapons and gear during a 30-second buy phase each round and switch roles after 12 rounds. If the score draws at 12-12, the game goes into overtime, which players can vote to bypass.
To download VALORANT on your PC, go to playvalorant.com. While you wait for the game to install, check out the Thunderpick Blog for a selection of expertly crafted guides to help supercharge your VALORANT bets and gameplay!
How Many Agents Are There In VALORANT?
As of April 2024, there are 25 agents in VALORANT. Each agency is categorized into one of four major roles: Duelist, Initiator, Sentinel, or Controller. Each agent also has a unique ability kit to augment their gunplay and provide them with extra killing power when hunting down enemies on the battlefield.
New agents are added with each new VALORANT Episode or Act. For example, the latest additions to the roster are the Scottish troublemaker Clove (announced on March 24, 2024) and the Chinese fixer-for-hire Iso (added on Oct. 31, 2023).
VALORANT Agents
Here are all the playable agents in VALORANT:
- Duelists: Jett, Phoenix, Reyna, Raze, Yoru, Neon, and Iso
- Initiators: Sova, Skye, Breach, KAY/O, Fade, and Gekko
- Sentinels: Sage, Cypher, Killjoy, Chamber, and Deadlock
- Controllers: Brimstone, Omen, Viper, Astra, Harbor, Astra, and Clove
VALORANT Roles
All VALORANT agents are categorized into one of four roles designed to cater to unique playstyles and team compositions. In fact, these roles ensure every match is appropriately balanced, with each player bringing something unique to the table.
- Duelists: These agents are hyper-aggressive fraggers who simply love creating chaos on the battlefield. They excel at getting early kills and making space as they rush to the frontlines guns blazing, all in the hopes of locking down vital entry points.
- Initiators: As the tactical masterminds of VALORANT, Initiators challenge angles and gather intel on enemy positions to prepare a team for a site push. Key aspects of their ability kits include flashes and recon tools to clear corners or force enemies out of hiding.
- Sentinels: These agents are crucial for holding down sites and maintaining defenses. They’re the guardians of the game, boasting strong lockdown abilities like traps to slow enemy pushes or block off chokes. They can even heal and revive fallen teammates!
- Controllers: These are tacticians who can expertly manipulate the battlefield. Their abilities help them block enemy sightlines, slow pushes, or create chokepoints, providing much-needed utility and support to secure kills and key objectives.
How Do You Unlock VALORANT Agents?
If you’re starting out in VALORANT, you’ll have only five agents available to choose from: Brimstone, Jett, Phoenix, Sage, and Sova. These characters will help you learn the ropes and master the game. However, you can unlock even more agents through the following methods:
- Spending VALORANT Points: The most direct method is to purchase agents outright for 1,000 VP (~$10 or local currency equivalent) each via the in-game Store.
- Spending Kingdom Credits: You can also buy agents for 8,000 Kingdom Credits (KC) each, which you can obtain by playing any match-made game mode in VALORANT. For example, you can earn 20 KC for every Spike Rush and Team Deathmatch game you complete.
- Agent Recruitment Event: Agents can be unlocked for free by playing matches and completing daily missions to gather 200,000 XP during Agent Recruitment Events. However, these are only available for 28 days after a new agent launches.
- Welcome Contract: You can unlock one VALORANT agent each at Tier 5 (7,000 XP) and Tier 10 (12,000 XP) of the Welcome Contract, the progression system that helps new players get accustomed to the game.
- Xbox Game Pass: If you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you’ll gain access to every VALORANT agent and 20% Match XP Boost for as long as your subscription remains active. You’ll also get day-one access to new agents added to the game.
Pro Tip: You can access all VALORANT agents for free via The Range. This practice mode is a great opportunity to test-drive characters and master their abilities, helping you not only hone your skills but also find the perfect match for your playstyle!
What Are The VALORANT System Requirements on PC?
VALORANT has a relatively low barrier to entry in terms of hardware requirements. Even if you’re not rocking the latest (and greatest) rig, you’ll still enjoy a silky-smooth gaming experience without losing a competitive edge.
That’s primarily because VALORANT values strategy and skill-based gameplay over fancy graphics. Still, if you’re unsure whether you can play this game on your PC, you can compare your specifications against the official PC system requirements below.
Minimum Requirements (30 FPS)
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (with TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot)
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or AMD Athlon 200GE
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon R5 200 (1GB VRAM)
Recommended Requirements (60 FPS)
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (with TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot)
- Processor: Intel i3-4150 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 or AMD Radeon R7 240
High-End Requirements (144+ FPS)
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (with TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot)
- Processor: Intel i5-9400F 2.90 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon R7 370
VALORANT Frequently Asked Questions
Need more help? Browse our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to find the answer you’ve been searching for!
What Is VP In VALORANT?
VALORANT Points (or “VP”) is a virtual currency that can be bought with real money. You can use VP to purchase various in-game items, including weapon skins, gunbuddies, player cards, tiles, and sprays. You can also use it to buy Radianite Points to upgrade weapon skins and unlock new agents.
Does VALORANT Have Loot Boxes?
No, there aren’t any loot boxes in VALORANT. Instead, the game uses a direct purchase system, in which gamers can buy items directly from the in-game Store or via the Battle Pass. This monetization model emphasizes greater transparency and fairness for all players.
Does VALORANT Have A Battle Pass?
Yes! Riot Games releases a new VALORANT Battle Pass with each Act, brimming with tons of exclusive cosmetic rewards players can earn by progressing the tiers. Two tracks are available: Free and Premium. The Premium option costs 1,000 VP and features extra skins and items.
Where Can I Play VALORANT?
As of April 2024, VALORANT is a PC-exclusive video game. That means it is not supported on console platforms like PlayStation and Xbox. However, Riot Games has been exploring other options and is expected to bring VALORANT to consoles in the future.
Can You Bet On VALORANT Matches?
Absolutely! Many online gambling sites, including top sportsbooks like Thunderpick, let you place pre-match and live in-play bets on VALORANT esports events. Best of all, you’ll have an extensive range of betting options, including match winner, outright winner, handicap, and total bets.
What Is The Best VALORANT Betting Site?
Thunderpick reigns as the go-to destination for VALORANT esports betting. We’re fully licensed and regulated under the laws of Curaçao, and you can take advantage of competitive odds and multiple betting markets to maximize your earnings. Also, our crypto-friendly approach ensures lightning-fast transfers.
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