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Top tips and tricks for new VALORANT players in 2023

VALORANT: The Best Agents, Tips, and Tricks for New Players

VALORANT, Riot Games’ tactical first-person shooter, is experiencing rapid growth and is expected to have an exciting 2023. As the game gains popularity on Twitch, its esports ecosystem is also attracting more viewers.

If you’re a new player installing and playing VALORANT for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the best agents, tips, and tricks to help you get started.

Best Agents for New VALORANT Players

For new players, the extensive list of available agents in VALORANT can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the different classes. To make it easier for beginners, we’ve picked one agent from each of the four classes: sentinel, controller, duelist, and initiator.

Sage

Image via Riot Games

Sage is the easiest sentinel to learn. You don’t have to worry about setting up complex utility like Killjoy or Cypher, and there aren’t high expectations from your team. Sage is useful for slowing down the enemy team’s pushes and can even wall off areas to prevent being overwhelmed. Healing is a straightforward tool for team support, and her Resurrection ultimate can give your team a significant advantage.

Brimstone

Image via Riot Games

Brimstone is the ideal controller for beginners. With the ability to place precise smokes and easy-to-use utility, Brimstone can effectively support the team in most situations. Firing the Incendiary grenade on the bomb during attacks may be the most challenging skill to learn, but the Stim Beacon and Orbital Strike abilities are straightforward.

Reyna

Image via Riot Games

Reyna is the best choice for beginner duelists. Her ability kit allows any player to follow a basic rotation: blind with Leer, kill, then Devour or Dismiss depending on the situation. One thing new Reyna players should remember is that they don’t have to use Devour or Dismiss if they don’t need to. If no one peeks after a kill with no damage taken, save the abilities for later use.

KAY/O

Image via Riot Games

KAY/O is the recommended initiator for beginners. His abilities allow you to negate or temporarily disable opposing abilities, reducing the team’s worries when holding or defending sites. Additionally, being able to identify which agents are in the radius of your ZERO/point knife is a valuable tool.

It’s perfectly fine to experiment with different agents and find the one that suits your playstyle, even if they’re not on this list.

Tips and Tricks for New VALORANT Players

Find Your Optimal VALORANT Crosshair and Settings

One of the best features in VALORANT is the ability to copy and share crosshair codes. You can easily copy the code of your favorite pro player or grab one from someone you’re spectating in-game. While there are ideal crosshairs for ranked play, the most important thing is to find one that you’re comfortable and consistent with.

Warm Up Before Diving into a Full VALORANT Match

After setting up your crosshair and settings, it’s essential to warm up and get in the zone before playing a full game of competitive or unrated. Spike Rush, Deathmatch, Escalation, and the training range are all viable options for preparing yourself before queuing up.

Play Together

Playing well as a team is crucial for winning, especially when you’re just starting out. It’s best to queue with familiar teammates, but even with random teammates, effective communication is key. Use ping and text chat if you don’t have a microphone. Make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to buying, saving, and managing the in-game economy.

By following these tips and choosing the right agents, you’ll be well-equipped to dive into the world of VALORANT. Good luck and enjoy the game!

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