Best Valorant Agents For Beginners: The Complete Guide
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Choosing the right agent is crucial for newcomers in Valorant, and our guide on the best Valorant agents for beginners is here to help.
Valorant, a tactical first-person shooter by Riot Games, offers a variety of agents, each with unique abilities and playstyles. This article will explore the top picks for new players, making it easier for you to dive into the game and start enjoying your Valorant experience.
What Are The Best Valorant Agents For Beginners?
Below, you will find a list of what we consider the best Valorant agents for beginners. They offer a mix of support, control, and offensive capabilities that are easy to understand and effective in gameplay, making them ideal choices for new Valorant players.
Sage
Sage is the quintessential support agent, perfect for beginners who want to make a significant impact on their team. As a healer, Sage can keep her teammates in the fight with her Healing Orb, which restores health over time.
Her Barrier Orb creates a solid wall that can block enemies and fortify positions, while her Slow Orb reduces enemy movement speed, giving your team a tactical advantage. Sage’s ultimate ability, Resurrection, allows her to bring a fallen teammate back to life, making her an invaluable asset in any match.
Brimstone
Brimstone is a versatile controller agent, ideal for beginners who want to master strategic gameplay.
With his Sky Smoke ability, Brimstone can deploy multiple smokescreens to obscure enemy vision, perfect for taking control of key areas. His Stim Beacon boosts the fire rate and movement speed of nearby teammates, making it easier to overwhelm enemies.
The Incendiary grenade creates a damaging field of fire, while his Orbital Strike ultimate calls down a devastating laser beam from the sky, capable of wiping out enemies in its radius.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a self-sufficient duelist, great for beginners who prefer aggressive playstyles and solo engagements.
Phoenix’s abilities revolve around fire, providing both offensive and healing options. His Curveball flashes around corners, blinding enemies, while Hot Hands is a fireball that heals Phoenix and damages foes.
Blaze creates a wall of fire that blocks vision and heals Phoenix if he passes through it. His ultimate ability, Run It Back, allows Phoenix to mark his current location and, if he dies during the ability’s duration, he respawns at the marked spot with full health.
Sova
Sova is a reconnaissance expert, excellent for beginners who want to gather intelligence and support their team with valuable information.
Sova’s Recon Bolt reveals enemies in its line of sight, providing crucial intel for your team. His Shock Bolt deals damage to enemies caught in its blast, while the Owl Drone allows you to scout ahead and tag enemies for your team to see.
Sova’s ultimate, Hunter’s Fury, fires three energy blasts that can penetrate walls and deal massive damage, making it a powerful tool for eliminating enemies from a distance.
Killjoy
Killjoy is a master of area control, perfect for beginners who enjoy setting traps and controlling the battlefield.
With her Nanoswarm grenades, Killjoy can deploy invisible grenades that deal significant damage over time. Her Alarmbot hunts down enemies, reducing their defenses when it explodes.
The Turret provides additional firepower and can alert you to enemy positions. Killjoy’s ultimate ability, Lockdown, releases a device that detains all enemies in its radius after a short countdown, giving your team a major strategic advantage.
Who are the characters in Valorant?
Valorant has a variety of playable agents, each with unique abilities that suit different styles of play. Agents are divided into four categories: Duelists, Controllers, Sentinels and Initiators. Here are some of the best-known agents in each category:
Duelists:
Controllers:
- Brimstone
- Omen
- Viper
- Astra
- Harbor
Sentinels:
- Sage
- Cypher
- Killjoy
- Chamber
Initiators:
- Sova
- Breach
- Skye
- KAY/O
- Fade
These are some characters available in Valorant, and the list may grow as new agents are released into the game.
How To Choose The Best Valorant Agent For Beginners?
Selecting the right Valorant agent as a beginner can significantly impact your overall gaming experience. These are key factors to consider when choosing your first agent:
Playstyle Preference
- Aggressive: If you prefer taking the lead and engaging enemies head-on, duelists like Phoenix may be your best choice.
- Supportive: If you enjoy helping your team with healing or strategic advantages, support agents like Sage are ideal.
- Strategic Control: If you like controlling the battlefield with traps and smokes, consider controllers like Brimstone.
Ease Of Abilities
Beginners should opt for agents whose abilities are straightforward and easy to understand. Agents like Sage and Brimstone offer abilities that are intuitive and effective without requiring complex strategies.
Versatility
Choose agents that can adapt to various situations. For instance, Phoenix can heal himself and damage enemies, making him versatile in both offensive and defensive scenarios.
Team Composition
Consider how the agent fits within the team’s overall strategy. A balanced team typically includes a mix of duelists, controllers, sentinels, and initiators. If your team lacks a specific role, filling that gap can be beneficial.
Learning Curve
Some agents have a steeper learning curve due to their complex abilities. Beginners may find it easier to start with agents like Brimstone or Phoenix, who offer powerful yet simple abilities.
Personal Enjoyment
Ultimately, the best agent is one you enjoy playing. Experiment with different agents in practice modes to see which abilities and playstyles resonate with you the most.
Community Feedback
Engage with the Valorant community through forums, videos, and guides. Community feedback can provide insights into which agents are considered beginner-friendly and effective in various scenarios.
Is Valorant A Good Game For Beginners?
Valorant can be a fantastic game for beginners who are willing to learn and enjoy tactical, team-based shooters, but it does come with some challenges.
This is a list of both the positive and challenging aspects that Valorant presents to new players:
Positive Aspects For Beginners
- Diverse Agent Abilities: Wide range of agents with unique abilities to match various playstyles.
- Strategic Depth: Emphasizes teamwork and tactical gameplay.
- Practice Modes: Offers shooting ranges and custom games for skill improvement.
- Supportive Community: Extensive resources like guides and tutorials available.
- Frequent Updates: Regular updates and new content from Riot Games.
Challenges For Beginners
- High Skill Ceiling: Requires precise aiming and strategic thinking.
- Competitive Environment: Intense matches can be intimidating.
- Complex Abilities: Some agents have abilities that are difficult to master.
- Communication: Effective teamwork and voice chat are crucial.
Why Avoiding Lag Is Crucial For Valorant Beginners?
Avoiding lag in Valorant is crucial for beginners as it directly impacts their overall gaming experience and performance.
Lag can cause delays in movement and shooting, making it difficult to react to enemies in real-time. For new players still getting accustomed to the game’s mechanics, consistent lag can be especially frustrating and hinder their learning process.
One effective tool for minimizing lag is ExitLag, a service designed to optimize your internet connection for gaming that works by rerouting your connection through the most efficient paths, reducing ping and packet loss.
Like this, new players can focus on developing their skills and strategies, leading to a more enjoyable and competitive Valorant experience.