On Valorant, many new details were released on March 2nd. The shooter from Riot Games, eagerly awaited by professional players, is more similar in gameplay to CS:GO, but visually resembles Overwatch.
What is Valorant? Valorant is a new free-to-play shooter from the makers of LoL, set to release in Summer 2020 and will have a beta beforehand. It was originally announced as Project A and is primarily aimed at fans of tactical shooters.
On March 2nd, various websites and professional players were allowed to share their experiences with Valorant. Previously, there was only a leak with several images showing maps and initial abilities.
However, there are now many new details. We focus on the gameplay of the shooter and present 5 things you absolutely need to know about it.
1. The gameplay is similar to CS:GO
Valorant may look like Overwatch, but in terms of gameplay, it is inspired by shooters like Counter-Strike. The firearms with their various shooting patterns are at the forefront.
There are precision weapons for shots from long distances, weapons for shorter ranges, and even the classic knife for close combat. A headshot generally ensures that an opponent is taken out immediately.
The precise controls and reactions to hits, coupled with the low health points of the characters, lead to fast-paced, varied, and fun matches.
Even the movements in terms of speed, the ability to crouch, but no option to run, strongly resemble Counter-Strike, as our colleagues at GameStar describe in their preview report.
2. Characters have abilities, but they are not that important
The characters in Valorant, called agents, all have distinct personalities and different abilities. The website Polygon has already provided detailed information on 8 agents from the shooter.
Each character in the game has 3 abilities and an ultimate. However, these are not always available:
- Every character always has access to the first ability.
- The other two abilities must be purchased, but they are retained over several rounds until the charges are consumed.
- The ultimate must be charged by getting kills.
All abilities are intended to play a subordinate role, as a CS expert revealed beforehand. They are meant to be seen more as tactical supplements, as the video above illustrates.
Walls or domes are used to keep opponents away from specific areas or to sneak up unnoticed. Kills, on the other hand, are generally achieved with firearms.
3. Characters cannot be switched
Even though the abilities play a secondary role, they do have different advantages and disadvantages regarding attacking or defending on the map.
However, at the beginning of a match, you select a character that cannot be changed afterward. You must play on both sides with him, as you face off against each other in 12 rounds like in CS:GO.
4. Tactics take center stage
At the beginning of a round, you can purchase weapons and abilities. These can then be used in the match and carried into the next round if you win.
In the currently known 5v5 mode, the goal is to eliminate the opposing team. The attackers, called “The Spike,” also have a bomb that can be planted at various locations.
Tactical skill and team coordination play an important role:
- Who goes where?
- Who uses which weapons and abilities?
- How do we control the terrain?
The maps are also modeled after Counter-Strike. They are straightforward and easy to read, have multiple spots for planting bombs, and offer various options for defenders.
5. Valorant will likely be competitive
In the tests, it has been reported that Valorant has both a casual and a ranked mode. Additionally, the balance and overall structure are said to be perfectly suited for eSports.
Though GameStar reports that Riot Games does not want to enforce eSports officially, all the foundations have been laid for Valorant to potentially succeed there.
However, the situation is different for the LoL auto-chess Teamfight Tactics. Currently, there are complaints that Riot isn’t doing enough for the competitive scene:
The maps are also modeled after Counter-Strike. They are straightforward and easy to read, have multiple spots for planting bombs, and offer various options for defenders.
5. Valorant will likely be competitive
In the tests, it has been reported that Valorant has both a casual and a ranked mode. Additionally, the balance and overall structure are said to be perfectly suited for eSports.
Though GameStar reports that Riot Games does not want to enforce eSports officially, all the foundations have been laid for Valorant to potentially succeed there.
However, the situation is different for the LoL auto-chess Teamfight Tactics. Currently, there are complaints that Riot isn’t doing enough for the competitive scene:
