Getting Started

Getting Started Guide for Valorant

Welcome to Valorant! This guide is designed to get you through your first hour, help you avoid common pitfalls, and set you up for success. Valorant is a free-to-play 5v5 tactical shooter only available on PC (Windows). There is no character creation; instead, you unlock "Agents" with unique abilities.

First Hour Walkthrough

1. Install and Launch – After installing via the Riot Client, log in with your Riot account. The game will download a small update. Launch the game.
2. Initial Tutorial (Mandatory) – You are automatically taken through the Shooting Range tutorial. This teaches basic movement, shooting, and ability usage. Complete it fully—it only takes about 5–10 minutes. You cannot skip it.
3. Agent Selection – After the tutorial, you are prompted to choose your first Agent. You start with 5 locked agents; you can unlock one for free immediately. Recommendations for beginners: Phoenix (self-healing, easy to use), Sage (healer, supportive), or Brimstone (simple smokes). Do not pick Reyna or Jett yet – they require precise mechanics.
4. First Match (Unrated) – The game places you into an Unrated match (classic 5v5, no rank pressure). Expect to be matched with other new players. Use this time to learn map layouts, economy (when to buy), and communication.
5. Post-Match Rewards – After the match, you earn XP (Account XP and Agent XP). Leveling your account unlocks more agents (via Agent Contracts). Leveling your agent unlocks cosmetics. Do not spend your first currency (Radianite Points) yet.
6. Become Familiar with the Shop – After your first match, explore the Store, Battle Pass, and Collection tabs. Do not buy anything yet – focus on earning free currency first.

Character Creation (Agents)

Valorant does not let you customize a player character. Instead, you choose from a roster of Agents – each with 4 unique abilities (one signature ability, two purchases, and one ultimate). New players unlock their first Agent free during the tutorial. To unlock more agents, you:

• Earn Account XP (by playing matches or completing daily/weekly missions) to level up your account. Each level gives a Kingdom Credit – 8,000 Kingdom Credits (KC) unlock a specific agent.


• Complete Agent Contracts: Activate an Agent Contract from the Agents tab, then play matches to earn Agent-specific XP. After reaching Tier 5, you unlock the agent permanently (faster than accumulating Kingdom Credits for most).

Tip: Start by unlocking Sage, Brimstone, or Phoenix – they are forgiving. Avoid high-skill agents like Jett, Reyna, or Chamber until you understand core mechanics.

Controls (PC Only – No Console)

Valorant is only on PC. The default keyboard and mouse controls are:

Important: Go to Settings → Controls to adjust mouse sensitivity. A common beginner sensitivity is 400–800 DPI with in-game sensitivity 0.3–0.6. Use the Shooting Range to fine-tune.

UI Overview

After launching a match, your screen includes:

1. Minimap (Top-left) – Shows allies (green dots), enemies (red dots when spotted), and objective sites (A/B). Learn to check it often.
2. Kill Feed (Top-right) – Shows kills, abilities used, and spike plant/defuse.
3. Health & Abilities (Bottom center) – Your health (blue bar), shield (thin blue bar), ability cooldowns (icons), and ultimate points (dots).
4. Weapon & Ammo (Bottom right) – Current weapon, ammo count, and reload prompt.
5. Economy (Bottom center, above health) – Your credits during buy phase. Buy armor, weapons, and abilities.
6. Spike (bottom center) – If you are the spike carrier, a small icon appears.
7. Radar / Ability Icons – Surrounding the crosshair for agent abilities.
8. Enemy Location Tips – Gunfire and footsteps trigger directional arrows.

Before the round, the Buy Phase shows a store overlay (press B) – you have 30 seconds to buy.

Essential Early Objectives

• Learn 2–3 maps: Start with Bind and Ascent. Practice callouts (e.g., A Long, B Short).


• Master crosshair placement: Always aim at head height while moving. Do not aim at the floor.


• Understand economy: Don't buy expensive rifles (Vandal/Phantom) every round if you have low credits. Know when to save (rounds where you lose) and when to force-buy (at 4,000 credits).


• Use abilities: As a beginner, spam your basic abilities (C and Q) often – they recharge or can be bought. Don't hoard them.


• Communicate: Use the ping system (Z) or voice (V) to share enemy location. No toxicity.




What to Do First (Day One Checklist)




• [ ] Complete the Shooting Range tutorial.


• [ ] Unlock your first Agent (recommend Phoenix or Sage).


• [ ] Play 1–2 Unrated matches to get familiar with controls.


• [ ] Adjust mouse sensitivity to comfortable level (e.g., 0.5 at 800 DPI).


• [ ] Enable Raw Input Buffer in settings for better aiming.


• [ ] Adjust crosshair: Settings → Crosshair → Use a beginner preset like cyan crosshair with center dot.


• [ ] Set up keybindings to your liking (e.g., change walk to toggle if preferred).


• [ ] Play a round in the Shooting Range to practice spraying patterns (Vandal and Phantom).


• [ ] Activate an Agent Contract (e.g., Sage) from the Agents tab – you'll unlock the agent after reaching Tier 5.


• [ ] Do not spend money on cosmetics; earn free skins through battle pass or events.


• [ ] Watch a 5-minute beginner video (optional) on map callouts.




What to Avoid




• Don't sprint everywhere: Walking (Shift) reduces noise. Running gives away position.


• Don't buy heavy armor every round: Sometimes light armor (400 credits) is enough if you are saving.


• Don't peek into corners without checking: Use clearing angles with slight mouse movements.


• Don't buy an Odin or Ares every round – they are expensive and noisy; learn rifle play first.


• Don't spam abilities wastefully: Use smokes and flashes when teammates push, not randomly.


• Don't play ranked immediately: You need account level 20 (several hours) and at least 5 agents unlocked. Until then, play Unrated and Spike Rush to learn.




Early Resource Priorities




• Kingdom Credits (KC): Earned from daily missions (first win gives 1,000 KC). Use to unlock agents (8,000 each). Do NOT spend on anything else – agents are essential for ranked and variety.


• Radianite Points (RP): Rare premium currency. Never spend on radianite for upgrading skins unless you are a paying player. Save for later.


• Valorant Points (VP): Purchase-only. Beginners should not buy VP. If you do, use only for battle pass (1,000 VP) – it gives skins, radianite, and XP.


• Account XP: Levels unlock additional agents (via Kingdom Credits). Prioritize daily missions (first win).


• Agent XP: Complete Agent Contracts to unlock new agents faster. Activate one contract at a time until you have multiple unlocked.




Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Peeking while walking: Always peek using A/D (strafe) while counter-strafing (tap opposite key to stop instantly). Do not hold W while peeking.
2. Reloading after every kill: Often unnecessary. Ammo is plentiful; reload only when safe or out of combat.
3. Not using abilities: Many beginners forget to heal (Sage), flash (Phoenix), or smoke (Brimstone). Bind ability keys to your mouse1/4 if easier.
4. Ignoring the minimap: Glance at it during rotations to track teammates and potential enemy positions.
5. Overcommitting to a fight: If you take damage, fall back to heal or trade. Dying unnecessarily hurts your team's economy.
6. Buying the same weapon every round: Learn when to buy different weapons – sometimes a Sheriff and light armor is better than saving for Vandal.
7. Spraying from long range: Tap or burst at long distances (3-4 bullets). Spraying is only effective close range.



Summary for Day One



Play 3–4 Unrated matches. Focus on:

• Crosshair placement (head level)


• Economy management (buy when team does, save when you lose)


• Communication (ping enemies)


• Using at least one ability per round

After day one, you will understand the basics. Over the next week, practice agents one at a time. Good luck – and have fun!