Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical first-person shooter, features a diverse cast of agents, each with unique abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, understanding how to counter each agent is crucial for success. In this article, we’ll delve into strategies and tips for playing against every Valorant agent.
Valorant Agent
1. Duelists
Jett
- Ability Overview: Jett’s agility and mobility make her a formidable opponent. Her dash ability allows her to quickly reposition or escape engagements.
- How to Play Against Jett:
- Predictive Positioning: Anticipate Jett’s dashes and pre-aim common angles where she might appear.
- Trade Kills: If Jett gets a kill, trade her out immediately to prevent her from snowballing.
- Deny Her Space: Limit her movement by controlling choke points and denying her dash routes.
Phoenix
- Ability Overview: Phoenix is a fiery duelist who can heal himself and create walls of fire.
- How to Play Against Phoenix:
- Bait His Abilities: Force Phoenix to use his fire abilities early in the round, leaving him vulnerable.
- Avoid His Ult: When Phoenix activates his ultimate, play defensively and wait for it to expire.
- Predict His Position: Expect him to reposition after using his fire wall.
2. Initiators
Sova
- Ability Overview: Sova excels at gathering information with his recon bolt and shock darts.
- How to Play Against Sova:
- Destroy His Recon Bolt: Shoot down Sova’s recon bolt to deny enemy vision.
- Avoid Predictable Shock Dart Spots: Learn common shock dart locations and avoid them.
- Listen for Audio Cues: Sova’s abilities emit distinct sounds; use them to track his movements.
Breach
- Ability Overview: Breach disrupts enemies with seismic blasts and flashes.
- How to Play Against Breach:
- Stay Out of Line of Sight: His flashes are devastating; break line of sight when you hear them.
- Spread Out: Avoid grouping up to minimize the impact of his seismic charges.
- Predict His Ultimate: Breach’s ultimate can stun through walls; be prepared to dodge it.
3. Controllers
Viper
- Ability Overview: Viper controls areas with toxic gas and a wall of poison.
- How to Play Against Viper:
- Learn Her Wall Patterns: Viper’s wall placement is predictable; adapt your positioning accordingly.
- Monitor Her Fuel: Her abilities consume fuel; force her to use it strategically.
- Avoid Standing in Her Poison Cloud: It deals significant damage over time.
Omen
- Ability Overview: Omen teleports and blinds enemies.
- How to Play Against Omen:
- Predict Teleports: Omen’s teleport locations are fixed; anticipate them.
- Listen for Audio Clues: His teleport sound is distinctive; react accordingly.
- Counter His Ultimate: When Omen uses his ultimate, watch for the telltale shadows.
4. Sentinels
Cypher
- Ability Overview: Cypher gathers intel with cameras and tripwires.
- How to Play Against Cypher:
- Destroy His Equipment: Shoot down his cameras and tripwires to limit his vision.
- Check Common Spots: Cypher often hides near his gadgets; pre-aim those spots.
- Bait His Trapwire: Trigger his trapwire without committing to a fight.
Killjoy
- Ability Overview: Killjoy sets up gadgets to control areas.
- How to Play Against Killjoy:
- Spot Her Nanoswarms: Look for her nanoswarms and destroy them.
- Avoid Her Lockdown: When she activates her ultimate, disengage or destroy it.
- Predict Her Turret Placement: Her turret locations follow patterns; learn them.