If you’re new to Valorant, welcome to one of the most dynamic, challenging, and rewarding competitive shooters available today. Whether you’ve come from another FPS or are entirely new to the genre, this guide is here to break down everything you need to know—no prior knowledge assumed. From how the game works to agents, economy, and how to improve, this guide builds a solid foundation for new players eager to get into the action.

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Game Modes: What You’re Getting Into

Valorant offers a mix of serious competition and casual fun. Here’s a quick overview:

• Unrated & Competitive: These are Valorant’s core modes. They follow the same rules, but Competitive includes ranked progression. Competitive also uses a more structured overtime system (best-of-two, alternating sides).
• Deathmatch & Team Deathmatch: Perfect for warmups and practice, these modes allow you to focus purely on gunplay.
• Swift Play: A condensed version of Unrated. Great for quick matches.
• Spike Rush & Escalation: Fast-paced party modes focused on fun and variety.

When you queue into a match (Unrated or Competitive), you’ll enter Agent Select. Each player has 90 seconds to pick an agent. Teams cannot have duplicates—once a character is locked in, no one else can pick them.

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Basic Game Rules: Plant, Defend, Survive

Valorant follows a 5v5 round-based structure where one team attacks and the other defends. The attacker’s goal is to plant the Spike (bomb) at one of two or three designated sites. If they successfully defend the Spike until it explodes, they win the round. Defenders aim to stop the plant, defuse the Spike, or simply eliminate all attackers.

Each match has up to 25 rounds: 12 rounds per side, followed by a side switch. First team to reach 13 wins. If it ends 12–12, overtime rules apply:

• Unrated: One sudden death round.
• Competitive: Best-of-two format. Win two rounds in a row to close out the game.

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Agents & Roles: Who You Play Matters

Agents are the heart of Valorant’s identity. Each has four unique abilities, including one ultimate. Agents fall into four categories:

• Duelists: Entry fraggers who lead charges and win duels (e.g., Reyna, Phoenix).
• Controllers: Map manipulators using smokes or vision-blocking tools (e.g., Brimstone, Omen).
• Initiators: Provide recon and break enemy defenses (e.g., Sova, Breach).
• Sentinels: Support players focused on defense and flank protection (e.g., Sage, Killjoy).

At first, only five agents are unlocked. You can unlock more via Kingdom Credits (free currency earned by playing) or by paying real money. Every agent costs 10,000 Kingdom Credits—don’t rush it; you’ll unlock them naturally over time.

If you’re overwhelmed by the roster, start with Brimstone (Controller) or Sage (Sentinel). They’re beginner-friendly and still effective at all levels of play.

You can learn agent abilities in the main menu Agent tab, during Agent Select, or in-game by pressing F1.

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Weapons & Economy: Know When and What to Buy

Valorant’s buy phase happens before each round. Players start with 800 credits and the Classic pistol. Credits are earned from kills, deaths, Spike interactions, and round outcomes.

You can purchase:

• Weapons (Rifles, SMGs, Snipers, etc.)
• Armor (Light or Heavy)
• Agent abilities

Each weapon has different recoil, fire rate, and damage values. The two most used rifles are:

• Vandal: Headshots one-tap at any range; more recoil.
• Phantom: Better for close-to-mid-range; faster fire rate and silenced.

A full buy typically means a Vandal or Phantom + Heavy Armor, totaling around 3,900 credits.

Key Buy Rounds:

• Save Round: Spend little to save for next.
• Buy for Next: Buy light while ensuring you can afford a full next round.
• Bonus Round: After winning with cheap weapons, keep them for one more round to build economy.

Coordinate your purchases with your team—buying together increases your odds of winning a round.

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Improving at Valorant: Practice Makes Progress

You won’t be good right away—and that’s okay. Here are ways to improve:

• The Range: Valorant’s built-in training hub. Access it via the Practice button. Practice:
  • Aim and flicks via Shooting Test
  • Planting and defusing via Spike Modes
• Team Deathmatch & Deathmatch: Real-player warmups with no ability usage. Fantastic for crosshair placement and movement training.
• YouTube Guides: There’s a wealth of tutorials covering every role, map, gun, and strategy. Use these to learn lineups, movement tricks, and gun mechanics.
• Play Consistently: It may sound cliché, but Valorant rewards time and repetition. Aim to play regularly, analyze your mistakes, and steadily learn from each match.

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Final Tips for New Players

• Don’t worry about who you play at first. Just pick someone that feels fun.
• Learn abilities by using them—don’t be afraid to experiment.
• Stick with your team, especially on attack.
• Watch your credits—buy with your team and avoid splitting the economy.
• Keep your crosshair at head level, especially when peeking angles.

There’s a lot to absorb, but don’t let it intimidate you. Valorant’s community and systems are designed to grow with you. Give yourself time, embrace the grind, and soon you’ll be making clutch plays and climbing the ranks.

Good luck, and see you in the server!