VALORANT Beginner's Guide

New to VALORANT in 2026? How a match works, how to pick your first agent, how buying works and which modes to play before ranked.

VALORANT is Riot's free-to-play 5v5 tactical shooter on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It mixes precise, one-shot-headshot gunplay with agents who have special abilities. This guide covers what a brand-new player needs to know in late 2026 (patch 13.09).

Step 1: Understand a match

5 vs 5Two teams of five. One side attacks, the other defends, and you swap sides at halftime.

Plant or stop the SpikeAttackers win a round by planting the Spike (the bomb) and letting it detonate. Defenders win by defusing it.

One life per roundIf you die, you're out until the next round – unless a healer like Sage revives you. Wiping out the enemy team also wins the round.

First to 13In a standard match, the first team to win 13 rounds takes the game. At 12–12 it goes to overtime.

Step 2: Pick your first agent

There are 30 agents in four roles. Your first few agents are free, and you can unlock more by playing. Pick a role that sounds fun – see the full agent list.

DuelistTakes the first fight. Try Phoenix or Reyna.

InitiatorScouts and flashes for the team. Try Sova or Skye.

ControllerPlaces smokes to block vision. Try Brimstone.

SentinelHolds sites and watches flanks. Try Sage or Killjoy.

Step 3: Learn how buying works

At the start of every round you spend credits on weapons, shields and abilities. Read our weapons guide for what each gun does.

CreditsYou earn credits each round for kills, plants and win or loss. Spend them in the buy phase before the round starts.

Full buyA rifle (Vandal, Phantom or the new Warden) plus heavy shields and your abilities.

Eco roundWhen money is short, the whole team saves and buys only a pistol or nothing, so everyone can afford a full buy next round.

Don't forget abilitiesMost abilities cost credits too. A cheap flash or smoke can win a round.

Step 4: Play the right modes first

UnratedA full-length match without rank pressure – the best place to learn.

Swiftplay & Spike RushShorter, faster matches – great when you have less time.

Deathmatch & Team DeathmatchNo Spike, just shooting. Perfect for warming up your aim.

CompetitiveRanked play from Iron to Radiant. Unlocks at account level 20.

Step 5: Learn the maps

Seven maps are in the competitive pool right now: Abyss, Bind, Corrode, Haven, Lotus, Summit and Sunset. Start with one or two and learn them well. All maps and their quirks are on our maps page.

Habits that help everyone

Crosshair at head heightKeep your aim where heads will appear, and stop moving before you shoot.

Learn the calloutsEach spot on a map has a name. Knowing them lets you tell your team where enemies are.

Talk to your teamEven short pings and calls like "two B" make a big difference.

Watch the replay in your headAfter each death, ask why you died – position, timing or aim – and fix one thing at a time.

Want the lore? Watch the story from the start on our cinematics page. And for the newest changes, read our patch 13.09 notes.

Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.