Ping in VALORANT: The Difference Between Life and Death
Ping in VALORANT is more than just a technical term; it can make or break a player’s performance. It measures the time it takes for data to travel between a player’s computer and a server on the internet. On May 30, 2021, Sentinels won the first international VALORANT tournament, VCT Stage Two Masters Reykjavík, with incredibly low ping. Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, the team’s star player, received MVP honors for his exceptional performance in the grand finals. However, as TenZ himself admitted, the remarkable feeling of playing on LAN didn’t last long.
The Impact of LAN Play on VALORANT
Starting with the inaugural VCT Americas split, online qualifier matches will no longer be a challenge for the region’s top players. The 10 partner teams will now engage in at least eight consecutive weeks of LAN competition. spoke to TenZ about how playing VALORANT on LAN differs from online play.
“VALORANT feels amazing on LAN,” said TenZ. “When I first played, I had really bad internet, so it was a weird experience.”
The Effect of Ping on TenZ’s Gameplay
Before competing on LAN with Sentinels in Reykjavík, TenZ played his VCT 2021 matches from Canada. Playing with high ping forced him to develop an aggressive style of play, constantly peeking and overheating in matches. However, after multiple LAN events, TenZ believes his overheating issue has significantly decreased.
Advantages of LAN Play in VALORANT
Playing on bad ping not only led to aggressive playstyles but also affected gameplay mechanics. On LAN, players enjoy more precise and responsive gameplay, allowing them to hold angles comfortably. Peeker’s advantage becomes less of a concern, and even holding an angle can result in victory. TenZ highlighted the “crispy” responsiveness and comfort that LAN play provides.
In January 2022, TenZ moved to Los Angeles in anticipation of the LAN-based league announced by Riot Games. Despite the ping advantage that Texas offered, TenZ chose LA because he wanted to acclimate to the city and be prepared for the upcoming LAN matches.
“I’ve always had really bad internet, so I was excited about the franchise thing,” said TenZ. “Constant LAN matches and being able to experience the crowd—it’s amazing for both the teams and the fans.”
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