VALORANT

June 2, 2020 Joshua Brunhoff

VALORANT, developed by Riot Games, is a tactical first-person shooter that blends precise gunplay with unique agent abilities. Set in a near-future Earth, players select from a diverse roster of agents, each hailing from different cultures and countries, to engage in strategic 5v5 matches.

How to Play VALORANT

In the primary game mode, two teams of five players alternate between attacking and defending roles over multiple rounds. The attacking team's objective is to plant a device called the "Spike" at designated sites on the map and ensure its detonation, while the defending team aims to prevent this by defusing the Spike or eliminating the attackers. A match is won by the first team to secure 13 rounds.

Each round begins with a buy phase, where players purchase weapons, shields, and abilities using in-game currency earned from previous rounds based on performance. Mastery of both shooting mechanics and agent abilities is crucial for success.

List of Agents

VALORANT features 27 agents, categorized into four roles: Duelists, Sentinels, Initiators, and Controllers. Each role signifies a distinct playstyle and contribution to the team.

Duelists: Self-sufficient fraggers who specialize in aggressive engagements and creating opportunities for their team.
1. Phoenix (United Kingdom)
2. Jett (South Korea)
3. Reyna (Mexico)
4. Raze (Brazil)
5. Yoru (Japan)
6. Neon (Philippines)
7. Iso (China)
8. Waylay (Unknown)
Sentinels: Defensive experts focused on locking down areas and protecting teammates.
1. Sage (China)
2. Cypher (Morocco)
3. Killjoy (Germany)
4. Chamber (France)
5. Deadlock (Norway)
6. Vyse (Unknown)
Initiators: Agents who prepare the team for engagements by disrupting enemies and providing crucial intel.
1. Sova (Russia)
2. Breach (Sweden)
3. Skye (Australia)
4. KAY/O (Unknown)
5. Fade (Turkey)
6. Gekko (USA)
7. Tejo (Unknown)
Controllers: Tacticians who manipulate the battlefield by obstructing enemy vision and controlling engagements.
1. Brimstone (USA)
2. Viper (USA)
3. Omen (Unknown)
4. Astra (Ghana)
5. Harbor (India)
6. Clove (Unknown)

Glossary of Terms

Ace: When a single player eliminates all five opponents in a round.
ADS (Aim Down Sights): The action of zooming in with a weapon for increased accuracy.
Anti-Eco: A round where a team anticipates the opponents have minimal economy and adjusts their strategy accordingly.
Attackers: The team assigned to plant the Spike.
Buy Phase: The pre-round period where players purchase weapons and abilities.
Clutch: Winning a round despite being at a numerical disadvantage.
Defenders: The team tasked with preventing the Spike from being planted or defusing it if planted.
Eco Round: A round where a team intentionally spends minimal credits to save for future rounds.
Entry Fragger: The player who leads the charge into contested areas, aiming to secure the first kill.
Flank: Approaching the enemy from behind or the side, often through less-traveled routes.
Force Buy: Spending all available credits to purchase weapons and abilities, even if the economy isn't optimal.
Frag: A kill or elimination of an opponent.
Half-Buy: Purchasing cheaper weapons and abilities to maintain some economy for future rounds.
One-Tap: Eliminating an opponent with a single bullet, typically to the head.
Operator: A powerful sniper rifle known for its one-shot kill potential.
Peek: Quickly exposing oneself to gain information or engage an enemy.