Valorant Launches on Console: How to Get Started in Riot’s Tactical Shooter

After several years of being exclusive to PC platforms, Valorant is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. 

Valorant is a team-based tactical shooter from Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends. “Tactical” means the game favors slower-paced, more deliberate gameplay based on positioning and ability usage — more Rainbow Six Siege than Call of Duty, though the closest comparison is Counter-Strike. But Valorant also features various agents with unique abilities, akin to Apex Legends and Overwatch.

In Valorant’s primary game mode, you play as an agent on a team of five players, facing off against an opposing team as you alternate planting or defusing the spike. There are quick modes called Spike Rush and Swift Play and other game modes such as free-for-all and team death match, which are great for warming up and practicing with different guns.

Each match takes place on one of several maps with different styles and layouts — from cramped monasteries to seaside ruins with long sightlines. One team starts as the attackers, with the goal of eliminating the enemy team and planting a bomb, known as the “spike.” The other team defends the map, attempting to wipe out the attackers before they can plant, and defusing the bomb if it does get planted. In Competitive and Unrated modes, teams switch sides after 12 rounds, and the first team to win 13 rounds wins the match — though Competitive mode requires teams to win by at least two rounds.

Players on PS5 and Xbox will get content and updates at the same time as PC players, including new agents, new maps and shop skins. However, Riot says that in order to maintain competitive integrity, there will not be cross-play between PC and console.

Valorant takes inspiration from a variety of games and blends them into a unique experience. The game is free to play, so it’s easy to get started. Here’s everything you need to know.

Artwork of Omen holding a rifle Artwork of Omen holding a rifle

Screenshot of agent purchase screen Screenshot of agent purchase screen

Agents can be unlocked with free in-game currency, or you can pay for more immediate access.

Riot Games/Screenshot by CNET

How to unlock Valorant’s ranked mode

After you complete the tutorial, you’ll have access to most of Valorant’s game modes. However, the game’s Competitive mode is locked until you hit account level 20, which will take most players approximately 25 hours to hit. Riot, like most game developers, wants to make sure you have a basic understanding of the game before you start competing in ranked mode. 

The fastest way to hit level 20 is playing every day to get the First Win of the Day bonus, which is worth one-fifth of a level. Finishing games also raises your account level, with bonuses for winning.

Silhouettes of weapons in Valorant Silhouettes of weapons in Valorant

Valorant offers a variety of guns to suit different playstyles, but the biggest question you’ll have to answer is whether you prefer the Phantom or the Vandal.

Riot Games

2. Valorant is an objective-based game

Many rounds turn into frag-fests, with each team trying to wipe out the other, but that’s not a guarantee of victory. Attacking teams are trying to plant the spike, so defeating all the enemies does mean they win the round. But defending teams can still lose rounds even after killing their opponents, if they don’t defuse the spike in time. Similarly, attackers can still earn extra credits by planting the spike, even if they lose the round. 

If you’re the last one left on your team, you can still hurt your opponents even if the round feels unwinnable. Each enemy you kill before the end of the round means another person on their team has to spend money to buy guns and armor. Resetting your opponents’ economy like that can turn around matches if they’ve been aggressively spending while your team was saving. Plus, you never know when you might clutch out a round win.

3. ‘If you’re not a good shot today, don’t worry. There are other ways to be useful.’ 

That’s a quote from Sova, one of the Valorant agents. It’s also a good reminder to the players that, yes, mechanical skill will take you far — very far — in the game, but it’s not everything. Good aiming mechanics won’t save you from bad positioning if your opponent sneaks up from behind or the entire enemy team rushes you at once. 

Valorant is a tactical shooter, and some people are better at the tactics than the shooting. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you get taken out early in a round, watch the mini map to see where enemies are and what ultimates are available, and make concise suggestions based on that information. If you’re still alive, knowing where to place smokes, when to rotate across the map and when to pop ultimate abilities can be just as crucial to victory as landing headshots.

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