Valorant's rise has been meteoric since its release. Its player base is rapidly growing, and new players are joining the game on a frequent basis. New players diving into the game might struggle with Valorant, especially in competitive mode. There is a lot that goes into climbing the ranked ladder, and not everyone finds it that easy.
Valorant is much more than a generic FPS game, and players can’t just rely on their shooting skills in order to climb effectively. Here are some tips that will not only help new players, but the experienced ones as well. Following these tips will significantly improve one’s gameplay, which will ultimately help in climbing.
10 Individual Performance Matters
Winning is not the only criterion for climbing the ranked ladder in Valorant. Unlike most multiplayer games, where the ranks solely depend upon winning or losing, Valorant takes several aspects into consideration. In addition to winning or losing, individual KDA, the winning margin, and the level of the players playing in the lobby all affect the overall calibration. Even though the primary goal should always be winning the game, players shouldn’t lose sight of their own individual performance.
9 Pay Attention To Minimap
Most new players barely focus on the minimap while playing a game of Valorant. The minimap, which is located on the top left corner of the screen, is a great way of locating enemies without directly taking a peep. Each time an opposing Agent comes in contact with your team, their icon will be briefly displayed on the minimap. Using this intel, players can rotate or strategize accordingly. The general rule of thumb is to take a look at the minimap every 3 seconds.
8 Practice On Every Map
The map selection in Valorant is completely random, and unlike CS:GO, players don’t get to choose a map before the start of the game. As of now, there are four maps available in Valorant, and each map is completely different from the rest.
Before jumping into competitive mode, players should take the time to practice on each map. This will significantly improve a player’s efficiency in every game, as they will be already familiar with all the nuances of each map.
7 Play A Small Pool Of Agents
Even though it is recommended to learn the basics of every Agent in Valorant, one should only main a few to be more effective. A large pool is beneficial because pocket picks and counter picks greatly help in being versatile. However, knowing how to actually play a few Agents perfectly helps with becoming a better player to climb. Investing time into every Agent is usually not worth it, and one should generally stick to a small pool of Agents.
6 Focus Enemies That Are Broke
Pressing ‘Tab’ in-game will pop up the scoreboard, and on the right side of the scoreboard, players will be able to see both teams' credits. Identifying players that are low on credits and specifically targeting them will put them further behind. It’s a great way of intimidating the opposing team, which will ultimately increase the overall chance of winning. It’s also easy to go against players that are low on credits, as they will most likely have a low-tier weapon.
5 Communication Is The Key
As basic as it sounds, most players, especially beginners, don’t communicate while playing Valorant. Communication is crucial for better results, and not doing so will only put your rank in jeopardy.
Exchanging intel in-game will significantly help you and your team, and overall, it will make the playing experience much simpler. Although it’s recommended to use voice chat, there is also a ping system that can help communicate.
4 Play In A Party
Playing solo in ranked mode will always be daunting and exasperating. It’s not easy to carry every game on your back, and every player needs a little support at some point. Although climbing individually is totally possible, it’s not always easy to do so. It’s better to play in premade parties, where everybody is already familiar with each other. This will not only make the playing experience much more enjoyable, but you’ll also have better team coordination. Playing with premades will also result in smoother communication, and overall, it’s a more effective way to climb.
3 Just A Few Ranked Games At A Time
Although the idea of playing continuously for a long period is very tempting, it’s definitely not the right thing to do. Players should only play a few games matches at a time, especially the ranked ones. Playing continuously for long periods will not only take a toll on your mental and physical health, but it will also significantly lower your concentration. Ultimately, your progress will become stagnant, and you will see a dip in your overall performance. It’s better to stick to a few matches at a time and remember to take breaks regularly.
2 Know When To Play Defensively
Rushing in and dying immediately is one of the most common mistakes that most Valorant players make. Although Valorant is a fast-paced game that promotes aggressive gameplay, it’s not always the best strategy to pursue. It’s crucial to analyze opponents and their playstyle before making a move. Rushing in could be a surprise tactic used for catching players off-guard, but repeating it every round won’t make the game any easier for you.
1 Never Jump Straight Into Ranked Queue
Just like traditional sports, it’s important to warm-up before the actual games. Players should avoid starting their grind by directly diving into the ranked mode. It is better to play a few unrated games before actually playing the ranked games. This will not only warm up your reflexes, but it will also build a rising momentum, which is very important for climbing effectively. Practice matches eliminate jitteriness, and you’ll be better prepared for ranked matches.