In the shooter hit Valorant, you start matches with a pistol and must equip yourself with the right tools before each round. How the match shop works and where you can get the currency Credits is explained here.
Valorant entered closed beta on April 7 and is considered by some genre fans to be the next big star in the shooter scene. Here, we take a closer look at the shop. All information about the beta can be found here:
How does the shop work? In Valorant, agents start with a pistol and can stock up on additional items at the beginning of each round. Similar to Counter Strike, you carry over saved or newly earned “Credits” into the next round, allowing you to improve or specialize.
The buying phase lasts 30 seconds and simultaneously gives the teams the chance to position themselves on the map. The defenders have significantly more room for maneuver than the attackers.
The match shop offers weapons, abilities, and shields
What can I shop for? Here you have the choice between 3 categories of items:
- Weapons
- Abilities
- Shields
There are 17 weapons in 6 categories to choose from. Assault rifles, snipers, shotguns – everything a modern Valorant agent needs to lead their team to victory.
Additionally, there is a small selection of energy shields that absorb some damage but will break after a certain number of absorbed damage points.
You can also refill the abilities of the agents here. Each character has 3 unique actions, and two of them can only be refilled with Credits. One ability charges automatically over the rounds but can also be purchased. Everything about the abilities and the individual agents can be found here:
Here’s the complete shop overview:
What information does the shop provide? You get detailed descriptions for all items, except for your ability refills. If you ever want to try out a new weapon, the shop gives you all the information you need to get started right away.
The shop also informs you how many Credits you have and how many you will have at least at the start of the next round. The calculation assumes that you lose the round and do not gather any additional Credits. This way, you always know where you stand after shopping in the next round, even if things don’t go well.
In the point overview, you can also view the balances of your teammates and enemies at any time.
Each round must be recalculated
When should I buy? Since the Credits apply to all rounds, it’s best to communicate with your team. You should always make sure you have a strong primary weapon in each round. If you survive the round, you keep the weapon from the previous round. You can then spend the money on shields or your abilities.
If you already have a primary weapon in hand and buy a new one, your agent will drop the old one directly in front of them. This way, you can also share weapons with your teammates if someone miscalculated and is begging for a gun.
What about selling? Items you bought in a round can also be sold back immediately. If you accidentally click the wrong item or there’s a last-minute tactical change, you can still buy the right one.
Earn Credits through wins, kills, and spikes
Where do Credits come from? The match currency is earned through round completions, kills, or planting the bomb (spikes). If your team loses several rounds in a row, you get more cash. Here are the specific payouts:
- Team payouts
- Round win: 3,000 Credits
- Round loss: 1,900 Credits
- 2 rounds lost: 2,400 Credits
- 3 rounds lost: 2,900 Credits
- Player payouts
- Kills: 200 Credits
- Planting spikes: 300 Credits
If a team loses 3 rounds in a row, the unlucky ones get almost as many Credits per player as the winners. This gives teams that struggle in the match the chance for good equipment and a comeback.
How does the shop affect the game? This gameplay element leads to tactics of the rounds blending a bit. Teams must ensure that they have enough cash available in every round so that all agents can equip themselves properly.
When do I buy a shield, when do I indulge in my strong Q or C skills? What happens if I go down and need to buy a new primary weapon? These questions give the competitive shooter greater tactical depth, and the balance can significantly influence some rounds.
Take your time and think of strategies on how to best work with the Credits. But don’t play too much Valorant, or you’ll get nothing else done. The developers have played it so much themselves that Riot had to rein them in to finish the game.
