Valorant
Valorant
Riot introduces Valorant Path to Pro competitive mode
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant esports will look vastly different in 2023 thanks to an announcement from Riot Games that includes an overhaul from the grassroots level. Going pro will become easier for competitive players through the new Valorant Path to Pro. Within a year of its release, Valorant has shaped an esports system that is lucrative, cut-throat, and addicting to watch. Hundreds of players have benefited from the circuit that filters the best …
Valorant
Players bash Radianite point prices in Valorant, call it a scam
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant players aren’t happy with how many Radiant points are needed to purchase skins and other in-game cosmetics. Are they even worth buying at this point? Riot Games has delivered dozens of creative in-game cosmetics that can put a strain on your wallet. Players still manage to buy these skins despite high prices, but it goes beyond that initial purchase for many players. To enjoy animations and sound elements, Radianite …
Valorant
How to play Fade, the newest agent in Valorant
Fariha Bhatti
After months of anticipation and mystery, Fade is finally here, and she didn’t disappoint. Her kit is definitely viable to climb the ranks in Valorant. But how best do you play her? We can help. Fade’s teasers made it clear that she is entering as a direct competitor to all the intel gatherers in Valorant. She was impossible to track down and had caged both Cypher and Sova, the game’s …
Valorant
Game-breaking bug lets Kay/O move after being downed
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant’s war machine Kay/O has become the perfect intel-gatherer as a major new bug drags him across the ground while he’s in a downed state. Kay/O is equipped with an initiator knife that is one of the best tools in Valorant for revealing the enemy’s plans. The agent can toss a blade that indicates the enemy count. Teams can strategize around this intel, making him a viable pick on almost …
Valorant
Valorant cascade picking leaked, could reshape the pub meta
William Davis
A new cascading method of picking characters could be coming to Valorant in the near future. On April 26, renowned Valorant leaker ValorLeaks previewed a potential overhaul to Valorant’s pick system. According to the source, Valorant might soon introduce a cascading picking system where players pick their agents one after the other. Cascading picking could have a major impact on the public matchmaking Valorant metagame. ValorLeaks mentioned that some of …
Valorant
shroud says Yoru will return to Valorant meta after Jett changes
Fariha Bhatti
Respected FPS veteran Michael “shroud” Grzesiek has made a bold prediction regarding the new Jett changes. According to the former pro player, Yoru may be seen in more competitive games after Jett’s ability gets nerfed. Will Yoru return to Valorant after the upcoming patch? Almost all new Valorant agents have found quick success in becoming an active part of the gameplay. However, that wasn’t the case for Yoru. The master of …
Valorant
Sova to get massive nerfs alongside Jett in Valorant patch 4.08
Fariha Bhatti
It’s a sad day for Sova players as word has broken that the ever-popular initiator will be getting significant nerfs in the upcoming Valorant patch 4.08. Valorant Episode 4, Act 3 is just around the corner, bringing a new face to the protocol. The debut of Fade won’t be the only thing shaking up the meta, as leaked agent nerfs sound even more impactful. Valorant patch 4.08 will likely rebalance …
Valorant
Valorant Episode 4, Act 3 Battle Pass rewards include new melee
Fariha Bhatti
Riot Games has announced a new battle pass for Valorant Episode 4, Act 3 featuring exciting rewards and a stylish melee. The new Valorant act has begun, bringing tons of new items for players to pick up. Along with a new rank grind, players can unlock exciting rewards to add some color to their competitive journey. Valorant Episode 4, Act 3 is the final battle pass for the episode, so …
RGX 11z Pro returns to Valorant in a new, upgraded bundle
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Players should prepare their wallets for the upcoming Valorant market rotation. Fan-favorite skin line RGX 11z Pro bundle is returning with the RGX 11z Pro 2, and it’s even better than before. It’s tricky to satisfy the demands of Valorant fans who like flashy colors and animations for their skins. Riot Games has been criticized many times for releasing minimal collections without special effects. Fans are pretty clear about what …
shroud talks upcoming Jett nerfs from Valorant patch 4.08
Olivia Richman
Valorant
If there’s one streamer that’s trusted for their insight into FPS games, it’s former Counter-Strike pro Michael “shroud” Grzesiek. The talented former pro has recently shared some insights on Riot Games’ upcoming Jett nerfs in Valorant. Jett has consistently remained one of the top agents in Valorant. The duelist has incredible mobility that is currently unmatched. Even with various nerfs and gameplay changes in an attempt to balance out the …
New Valorant agent Fade unveiled at VCT Masters Reykjavik
Steven Rondina
Valorant
At long last, new Valorant agent Fade has been officially revealed by Riot Games. Riot Games gave Valorant fans a special treat ahead of the VCT Masters Reykjavik finals between OpTic Gaming and LOUD. As part of the festivities, Riot Games officially revealed Valorant’s 20th agent, Fade. A new trailer was shown to give players a better look at what the new agent will have to offer on the server. …
Phoenix is the worst agent in Valorant and this is why
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
One of Valorant’s original agents, Phoenix rarely sees playtime in the current meta. Does he need buffs in order to return to his former glory? The duelist roster of Valorant is packed with tricksters who have niche abilities. Jett and Neon can pull off unique feats based on their speed. Reyna, Yoru, and Raze have their fortes, enabling them to become number one picks on specific maps. Naturally, players prefer …
Sentinels doesn’t add sinatraa, so what’s next for him?
Steven Rondina
Valorant
Sentinels has confirmed a change to its pro Valorant roster, and it doesn’t include controversial star player Jay “sinatraa” Won. Though many were expecting the streamer to return to the Sentinels roster after controversially announcing that he was looking for a new pro team at the conclusion of his previous suspension, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Instead, the Sentinels organization has confirmed the signing of Eric “Kanpeki” Xu …
Sneaky Cypher camera trick on Ascent protects the Spike every round
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Valorant’s trickster Cypher is up to no good. Again. As if he wasn’t viable enough on Ascent, this sneaky Cypher camera trick has made him a must-pick. Ascent is Cypher’s home turf. The extensive grounds of this large map need a Sentinel like Cypher to cover more area. The Sentinel locks the backlines and blocks pushes on defense. Thanks to his trailblazing kit, he’s a jack of all trades on …
New Cypher setup on Ascent A site means easy wins for defense
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Cypher’s ability to break intel on the complex layout of Ascent makes him a must-have in all comps for the map. This new Cypher setup for the Ascent A site shows that he’s just too good with his equipment to go without him. Ascent is a relatively large map with extensive bombsites that can be tricky to defend. The map is a tall order without an efficient Sentinel who’s not …
Players call out Riot for poor Valorant market, request more skin slots
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Valorant players have voiced frustration with the game’s market, claiming the four slot store is an outdated model. The community is now requesting Riot Games reconsider the shop size. In-game cosmetics are Riot’s drawing card for those who don’t play Valorant for its cut-throat FPS action. Valorant’s unique bundles have roped in dozens of fans who like to collect the sought-after skins that only a few can afford. Since the …
Jett has finally been nerfed, here’s how her new Tailwind works
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
After a year of player complaints and requests, Jett has finally been nerfed in Valorant. The agent can no longer exploit her Tailwind to instantly escape duels. Valorant currently has 18 agents in its roster, and all of them are pretty well-balanced. Regular patches have ensured that no agent has an unfair edge over the other as Riot regulates the meta. However, Jett was one duelist that the developer had …
This Viper play will win you rounds for free on Icebox
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Valorant players had to toss their post-plant lineups out the window after the massive Icebox overhaul. This new Icebox setup for the B site should make protecting the Spike easier. No other control guards the Spike like Viper can. The agent is equipped with two poison shots that can annihilate enemies in short order. The duration of these utility options makes her a viable pick on maps where protecting the …
Newly found Sova recon-shock combo is a game-changer on Split
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Split may not be Sova’s strongest map, but the intel gatherer can still find ways to shine. A new shock dart and recon lineup proves he’s still viable on all Valorant maps. Valorant initiators are highly valuable in all agent compositions. Gathering intel and relaying it to teammates offers a huge edge over opponents. It’s safe to say, initiators are a must-have on all maps but none are great on …
New Jett Updraft bug reveals enemies’ plans at round start
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Jett is replacing initiators in Valorant with a new Updraft glitch, providing an early-round advantage. As if her kit isn’t already deadly enough, the ace duelist Jett is often at the center of bugs. Thanks to Tailwind, breaking through the enemy’s defenses becomes easier with Jett on the roster. However, her Updraft is also pretty powerful as it has birthed plenty of glitched movement tactics. This new bug on Split …
Riot Games has long looked to expand its footprint beyond the success of popular MOBA League of Legends, and one of its biggest successes to date in this regard is the tactical shooter, Valorant. Blending traditional first-person shooter elements with unique and flashy hero abilities, Valorant seeks to combine the best attributes of tactical shooters and hero shooters into one cohesive experience.
Based on player feedback, the game has largely succeeded in accomplishing those aims. It’s not an easy balance, and it’s one that is arguably still tenuous, but Riot Games seems to be doing as good a job of it as most fans have hoped for.
What type of game is Valorant?
Valorant is a first-person shooter that represents a unique blend of the tactical shooter and hero shooter subgenres. There are some games that represent similar gameplay elements, but not many that offer the exact experience that Valorant puts forward to players.
The tactical shooter genre is often considered to have been defined by the release of the original Counter-Strike, a multiplayer mod for famed single-player PC title Half-Life that later became a standalone game of its own. While most multiplayer FPS games to that point emphasized prolonged battles between opposing players zipping around the game at high speeds, Counter-Strike slowed things down significantly and made players much more susceptible to each other’s firepower, requiring players to take a more tactical approach to play.
That slower and more tactical approach, combined with the lightning-quick nature of action when it does occur, proved reliably popular. That popularity can still be seen today with the ongoing success enjoyed by the Counter-Strike franchise, and it’s this gameplay type that represents the core of Valorant. It’s no accident that former Counter-Strike developers were drafted by Riot Games to help create Valorant during the game’s formative stages.
What differentiates Valorant from CS and other tactical shooters it that each of the game’s characters, called agents, wield a number of unique abilities. Some are typical for tactical shooters, like flashbangs and smokes, while others are wildly different, such as an ability that transports two players to an isolated dueling arena for its duration.
These agent abilities are more reminiscent of hero shooters, a subgenre that arguably got its start with the Team Fortress games but has best been popularized by Blizzard title Overwatch. The abilities, combind with the tactical considerations that are at the core of Valorant, separate it from most any other FPS experience available for play.
How does Valorant esports work?
Like many other popular competitive shooters, Valorant does have a thriving esports scene. That scene is differentiated by the way it’s run and controlled by developer and publisher Riot Games. Riot uses a model based on the success of its League of Legends esports scene, which sees the globe’s competitive players and team’s separated by region. These regions play out their own competitions in their sections of the world before coming together at regular intervals for international tournaments featuring the best teams from each individual region.
While League of Legends once boasted a variety of regions and regional types, Riot sought to simplify that model when setting up esports for Valorant. The game has only a handful of major regions, and these regions are held as largely equitable, each sending their best teams to international events leading up to the year-end VALORANT Champions event.
