Eveything you need to know about getting started in Valorant

Valorant launch eartlier in 2020 to great fanfare as it offers amazing gameplay and features for FPS afficionados, it has rapidly won the hearts of the gaming community. The game has even picked up some affectionate nicknames amongs fans here in Brazil, we call it 'Vava' here in Brazil it has been a huge here with gaming creators, fans and as a result it is one of the most streamed titles of the year.

So what is all the fuss about?

Not to worry, if you feel like you have missed the boat on this great game sure to being immersed in another title or simply have not heard of I am here to give you a crash course to set you up for success and explain tips and everything you need to know to get started

What makes Valorant awesome is it has some great game modes: 

Unrated, Competitive, Spike Dispute, Playoff and Personalized Game, all set across four maps called: Blind, Haven, Split and Ascent

The unrated mode is a great way to begin and fine tune your skills before attemping any ranked matches. Generally two teams of 5 v5 play against each other, what makes the game so cool is that you have a selection of different agents with a wide range of abilites and attrubutes to chose from

The characters in the game all have unique skills and specific functionds within the game, the weapons are all the same, although you need to earn coins within the game in order to buy your preferred loadout, the team that wins the most will have more money and preferable items to select at the start of each round

I found it cool to play with a variety of differenty agents to see which one you identify with the most, choosing at least 2 agents to start with and learning their skills and special moves is important. For example I love playing with Sage, but if someone chooses this character before I can, I often go for Sova. My advice is to focus on trying not to get in the way or injuring your own team as this is a sure fire way for the rest of your team to think you are not helpful and frustrating to play with

One team is the attacking side with an objective to plant a bomb, which in Valorant is called the 'Spike', and no its not named after a cute Puppy! The defending team need to defend the Spike from being planted or... if in the event the opposing team does plant the Spike it needs to be disabled in order to prevent a big expolosion where your side will lose the round as a result.

A top tip is to not be shy and communicate! Speak to your team and work together, even if is just by typing. Teamwork is the best way to develop more tactical gameplay, you can help inform where the enemies are lurking and best ways to win, even if that means the ocassional bit of camping. I know its a frustrating tactic, but if a camper is succesful and your team the are quickly cherished!

Once you are ready you might want to try the the highly competitive 'ranked' mode. This mode has the same objective as the unranked mode. However this mode is where you will earn your creds within the game amongst fellow gamers. In competitive mode you can increase your ranking and score within the game, this is where you have to focus and bring your A game by channeling your inner Rambo! Especially so if you play with Odin, then wearing a red band around your forehead is highly appropriate!

In the classic Spike match, two teams are fomed jused like in the previosu two modes. Each team will have 5 v 5 although now both team have the bomb! The weapons are the same for everyone and the agents skills are already fully loaded, you don't need to save up and buy speacial moves like in the other modes. This game mode is fantastic for peopel looking for a faster and more dynamic gameplay experience. 

Mata-mata is the most recent mode added to the game. This mode for me is really fun becuase you dont really have that much control over anything. It's sort of down to chance and luck, you just choose your weapon, the agents are random and the skills are blocked and its a free for all deathmatch style format. In this mode I love picking off people from a distance, so watch out my friends if you are not careful you might be an easy target for me to take advantage of!

In the personalized game you assemble the teams with your friends and have fun, you can even play in conventional mode (withoug classification), playoff or spike dispute

Now you have all the info about Valorant, its time to jump into the game and have fun!