Want to become a stronger Valorant player but just don’t know how or what you have to do to get there? As one of the most popular free-to-play shooter games on the market, many players around the world want to be the very best when it comes to this addictive game. But instead of rushing to become the top player, you should be taking a slow and steady approach. Below, we’ve listed four incredible tips that players should take into consideration if they want to see improvement in their gameplay and skill. If you follow these tips, we’re sure you’re going to see satisfying results.
1. Embrace the Map Awareness
One key step toward becoming a better Valorant player is to always have map awareness. Knowledge is power, and in this game, the more you know about your surroundings, the better your chances of survival. So how do you improve map awareness exactly? First, it’s all about understanding the layout of the arena, knowing common hiding spots, plant locations, and sniper vantage points. To improve on this, you can play custom games that give you time to explore the map, without any pressure of getting knocked down by enemy opponents.
Next, keep an eye on the mini-map. It’s not just a fancy decoration meant to look cool, it’s your real-time source of information. It shows enemy locations when they’re spotted, indicates where your teammates are, and can even reveal spike locations. Providing you with all the info you need to make an informed move, use the mini-map to strategically decide where to rotate or to predict where enemies might next attack you.
2. Perfect Your Aiming and Shooting
Aiming and shooting in Valorant isn’t just about having fast reflexes, it’s also about understanding the game’s unique mechanics. For starters, recoil and bullet spread play a significant role in this game. Each weapon has a different recoil pattern that you should learn to use and control effectively to your advantage. To do this, spend time in the practice range learning these patterns, but also how to counteract them. After all, practice makes perfect.
On another note, just remember that when you’re shooting while moving, it also impacts your accuracy. So when you find yourself making a shot, try to stand still to gain maximum precision. Lastly, also consider the importance of weapon economy - never blow all your credits on an Operator if you’re just as effective with a Phantom or Vandal!
3. Master the Agent Abilities
The fun part about Valorant is that each agent comes with a unique set of different skills and abilities; though, this also means that you should know how to use them effectively. Understanding each agent’s skillset can be a real game-changer, so spend some time experimenting to get a good feel of their abilities and how they can be best utilized.
And once you find an agent that best fits your play style, you can delve even deeper. Learn the best spots for Cypher’s spy cams, master the perfect curve on Phoenix’s flash, or discover the sneakiest teleport spots for Omen. These abilities can be used both defensively and offensively, so make sure you learn the ins and outs of your favourite character so you can get really creative with it.
4. Communication is Key
Finally, but arguably most importantly, good communication with your teammates can make or break a game in Valorant. This isn’t some solo-player game, it’s a team game. This means effective coordination with your squad can make a huge difference. It’s not just about calling out enemy locations, but it’s also discussing strategy, sharing plans, and even boosting team morale. We all know there’s nothing worse than playing with a team that’s already lost before the game has begun.
Try to communicate your ideas clearly and efficiently, without cluttering or spamming the voice chat. Let your team know where you’re going, what abilities you’re about to use, and if you’ve spotted any enemies, make sure you let them know right away. A word of advice? Positivity can win you the game. Encourage your teammates, celebrate their successes, and maintain a respectful, constructive attitude, even when things aren’t going as planned.
Valorant is certainly a game of depth and complexity, but with a solid grasp of these four areas, you’re going to see some major improvements in your gameplay. Sometimes all you need is some extra practice, so always be patient with yourself and try to enjoy the process. It’s all about steady improvement as you learn from your mistakes and successes in each game. But at the end of the day, just try to have fun! Valorant is a great game for doing that.