Valorant
Valorant
Here is how to avoid the dreaded 9-3 curse in Valorant
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant is all about raw skills, but some superstitions are just too spot-on not to believe. The 9-3 curse is the worst fear of any Valorant player, no matter how qualified. Riot Games’ tactical shooter requires aim precision, game knowledge, and experience. But, all of these skills hold no account in front of a good old jinx. Valorant players firmly believe in 9-3 switch, a curse known to turn the …
Valorant
Riot rewards free VP to a Valorant player for hilarious Neon drawing
Fariha Bhatti
Riot Games has been feeling extra generous as they’ve just rewarded a fan with free 55 Valorant points for a questionable drawing. Valorant has heaps of pricey skins that not all players can afford to buy. The developer has been helpful enough to grant extra VP if someone lacks a few to buy their favorite skin. However, this player managed to get more out of the developer by drawing the …
Valorant
Is Neon too OP? New Valorant agent may not be so strong
Fariha Bhatti
Neon’s first look had away many players feeling scared, but the new agent 19 may not be as overpowered as she seems. Riot Games has just rolled out a counter for Valorant’s S-tier wind ranger Jett. The electrifying duelist, Neon, can run fast and stun enemies, two abilities that are necessary to execute aggressive plays. Neon’s kit seemed extremely viable in teasers and trailers, but is she really OP in …
Valorant
These are the best agents to play on Split in Valorant
Fariha Bhatti
Split is one of the smallest Valorant maps, and a few agents can particularly excel at tackling its tight choke points. We have compiled a list of the best agents on Split that may increase your odds of winning. Split can be a tricky location to tackle if you’re too aggressive or passive. Finding a balanced approach is crucial to winning on this enclosed map. For this same reason, not …
Valorant
Riot is removing the popular Widejoy meme and fans aren’t happy
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant players are always eager to get in-game bugs removed, but they want this particular glitch to stay. Here’s what Widejoy means to Valorant and its players. Valorant has a lot of iconic memes including ones that have been recognized by Riot Games as well. From “rebibe me Jett” to a lobster spray, the developer has encouraged the community to meme around the game. But it seems that Valorant’s most …
Valorant
Could the new Valorant home screen be hinting at agent skins?
Fariha Bhatti
Episode 4’s main menu suggests that Riot might be taking its in-game cosmetics to a whole another level. Valorant is known for its cut-throat gameplay and extravagant weapon skins that keep getting better. However, the Episode 4 Act 1 home screen may be teasing a brand new feature for Valorant agents. Players are hopeful that Killjoy’s white outfit might bring agent skins to the game. Riot Games transformed the first-person …
Valorant
Is Neon the key to reaching Valorant Map 8?
Nicholas James
Neon, the lightning-empowered Radiant, is the latest agent to join both the game Valorant and the in-lore Valorant Protocol. Thanks to clues in Neon’s promotional media, voice messages inside Valorant, and even more, it looks like Neo is the key to getting access to the next map. Valorant’s next map seems likely to be set in Lisbon, Portugal, on the mirror version of Earth 1 in a darker timeline with …
Valorant
Leaks show big Yoru changes are coming to Valorant very soon
Olivia Richman
Yoru players may finally be getting the buffs and rework needed to make him a viable agent in Valorant patch 4.03. Yoru is often found at the bottom of Valorant tier lists. Despite a lot of hype surrounding the agent when he was first announced, his kit has left a lot to be desired. Fortunately, developers announced in late 2021 that some impactful changes are on the way. Now, a …
Valorant players won’t be able to instalock in future acts
Nicholas James
Valorant
Valorant players won’t have to worry about teammates rushing to grab agents as soon as the match starts in a mad dash to make sure they get who they want. Instalocking can be a frustrating experience for a team since players often prioritize their own preferred agent over the team’s composition. According to recent leaks, Riot Games is working on a solution to this problem with cascading pick orders. According …
shroud predicts Neon won’t see play in competitive Valorant
Olivia Richman
Valorant
Popular first-person shooter player and streamer Michael “shroud” Grzesiek has shared his initial thoughts on Valorant’s newest agent, Neon. Neon is the 18th agent to come to Valorant (or the 19th depending on how you count them). Her focus is on speed, and she’s looking to be even faster than dashing agent Jett. In addition to bursts of radianite-powered sprints, Neon has energy bolts and an energy wall, making her …
These are all the abilities for new Valorant agent 19, Neon
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Valorant’s very own supersonic hero, Neon, has finally arrived. She’s quick, fierce, and shoots laser blasts from her fingers. It’s well-known that Valorant agent 19 Neon draws her power from light, but we now have exact details about Neon’s abilities. The thunderous heroine will join the squad on January 12, and Jett players should gear up for a major shift as a result. “Everything about Neon came back to that …
Spectre gets nerfed, account levels restricted in new patch 4.0
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Patch day is here in Valorant, bringing crucial weapon changes for Ares, Bulldog, and Spectre users. New Valorant patch 4.0 will heavily impact the game’s gunplay. Valorant agent 19 officially arrives on January 12. The developer has rolled out a new patch that proves that learning the new agent isn’t all players need told be worrying about. A change to account levels and further map changes are also set to …
These are all the Valorant Episode 4 Act 1 battle pass rewards
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
The battle pass for Valorant Episode 4 Act 1 is finally here, and it includes a romantic card, three skin lines, and cute new gun buddies. Valorant Episode Disruption begins on January 12, which means there’s not much time left to complete the battle pass grind. However, new images prove that upcoming content is much more exciting and could be worth saving your energy for. Episode 4 includes exciting cosmetics …
New Valorant bundle Protocol 781-A has skins talking
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Prepare your wallets! A new gun bundle has just dropped for Valorant, and it brings talking skins to Valorant for the first time. Riot Games has rolled out some upbeat and vivid skin bundles recently. Fans of minimal and darkly-themed weapons have long requested a Phantom upgrade after the Ruination bundle. The latest Valorant line is unlike any other. The dystopian guns have a robotic aesthetic and a voice-over for …
How many people play Valorant in 2022? Stats prove ongoing popularity
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Riot Games’ first-person shooter was easily 2021’s most popular shooter game. The developer hasn’t released official stats, but we might know how many people play Valorant. In 2020, Riot Games dipped its toes into the FPS category previously dominated by Valve’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. In 2022, Valorant has garnered a massive player count while co-existing with CSGO, ultimately dominating and reshaping the shooter genre. Millions of players have logged into …
Trailer reveals launch date, skills of new Valorant agent Neon
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Riot Games has finally given the first official look at the kit of new Valorant agent Neon. Agent 19 seems to be lightning-fast and has sonic-style hair. Valorant’s most anticipated duelist so far has officially been revealed, and she’s everything players wanted. A mobility ranger that swoops in and hits enemies like an electric shock. Neon bears the tag 19, and she hails from the Philippines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtx8CgjRmqE Her first look …
How to use Valorant’s favorite Sentinel, Killjoy
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Killjoy might be a bit boring to play compared to some of the more dynamic agents in Valorant, but she’s one of the deadliest Valorant agents. Here’s how to play Killjoy effectively without compromising on kills. Killjoy is equipped with some of the most potent abilities in Valorant. When used correctly, the cutesy genius of Germany can annihilate an entire enemy team. Killjoy’s abilities include two Nanoswarms, a Turret, an …
Valorant player brings a real functional Killjoy turret to life
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Killjoy is easily one of the most likable Valorant characters. A new fan-made turret shows the fanbase’s love for the genius of Germany. Valorant protocol is loaded with ferocious agents with dark stories and lore. The squad would have been a little dreary if it weren’t for Raze and Killjoy’s upbeat voice lines. This new functional turret in real life is proof of players’ adoration for Killjoy, one of the …
Valorant map Ascent recreated in Fortnite’s creative mode
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Fortnite players have taken a liking to Valorant’s iconic locations. This player has brought an entire map to Fortnite’s battle arena. Battle royale and FPS players may not have much in common, but they both appreciate a good arena. Valorant’s Ascent is known for its automatic doors and summery scenery. This Fortnite player has taken his love for the map to a whole level. A player named Neverty has brought …
This new wallbang on Haven is too OP for Odin users
Fariha Bhatti
Valorant
Players are already on a fence about Valorant’s triple-site map, and this new wallbang on Haven makes it even more controversial. Some of the wackiest Valorant glitches were first detected in Valorant’s triple-locale Haven. From Skye’s magic flashes to Viper’s running wall, the map is known for its bug factor. This new discovery isn’t exactly a glitch, but it doesn’t help fix Haven’s reputation. An overpowered wallbang has been discovered …
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.
