VALORANT Agents: Biographies and Abilities

VALORANT became so popular that many pro-players tried it more than once, some even switching to the game full-time. The shooter from Riot Games is easy to study and dive into even for newbies, but it's hard to master. 

As you know, we’ve launched a new tournament — WePlay! VALORANT Invitational, and by this article, we want to introduce you to the characters of the game, to be correct - agents. This article will help you get comfortable with the game and have an understanding of agents' abilities.

There are eleven agents at the moment in four main roles: Duelist, Initiator, Controller, and Sentinel. Each character has four abilities: one primary, which they get for free every round, two that they have to buy (they will remain for several rounds until used), and one last ability that needs to be charged by killing opponents, planting or defusing the spike, or collecting particular black spheres on the map.

Let’s get to know them.

Duelists

Duelists are self-sufficient killers and front-line fighters. Teammates can expect high performance and aggressive play from them. Their skills deal direct damage and are useful in the midst of battles - it allows duelists to achieve success in the game.

Jett

Homeland: South Korea. Jett is one of the most challenging characters, but in skilled hands, she is one of the most powerful VALORANT agents. With her ability to quickly smoke areas with the Cloudbust ability, she can throw herself into a fight or get away with Tailwind and climb to unattainable heights using Updraft. Jett is the most mobile agent of all. If you learn routes and spots, you can easily navigate to advantageous positions. And if you need to inflict damage, then her ultimate ability, Bladestorm, will also shine in skillful hands.

Abilities:

Q - Updraft: propels Jett into the air. It has two charges. It allows you to climb into places inaccessible to other characters or overcome obstacles created by other characters (for example, Phoenix's firewall). This ability is also valuable in that it opens up great opportunities for maneuvers when you can surprise an enemy even in the heat of battle. Please note that you can use this ability to reach enemies at high altitude. It's quite difficult to shoot while jumping, but the effect of surprise can play to your advantage.

E - Tailwind: propels Jett in the same direction as she moves. If she is standing still, she will propel forward. It allows you to quickly overcome a short distance, catching up with the enemy or vice versa, and going into cover. This ability is great in situations where you need to make a sharp jerk between shelters or to leave for a safe place. It will help to catch not very experienced players by surprise - you can easily get around them from the rear. In some situations, Tailwind goes well with Cloudburst. With this, you can instantly break into a point and start planting/defusing the spike. Of course, you will need some support from the team.

C - Cloudburst: instantly throw a projectile that expands into a brief vision-blocking cloud on impact with a surface. It creates a sphere that interferes with the visibility of players. It is not necessary to throw in a straight line, and you can bend the flight path by holding the mouse button after the throw and direct it, for example, around the corner. The sphere will be established after a collision with any obstacle. It has two charges.

X - Bladestorm: Jett is armed with several throwing blades that do direct damage, but kill the target in one shot to the head. The trick is that when you kill the enemy, she restores all the daggers. Left-click throws one dagger a long distance. Right-clicking throws all daggers a short distance. With certain skill, you can restore daggers for the entire round by killing your opponents.

Raze

Homeland: Brazil. Unlike other agents, Raze loves grenades and explosions. A lot of explosions. That is why she has a whole arsenal of grenades and various explosives.

Abilities:

Q - Blast Pack: Raze throws an explosive pack that attaches to surfaces. The pack explodes, dealing damage and repelling nearby players. But it does not damage Raze herself. Thus, it can be used as a mechanic for quickly and strongly pushing against walls or floors or getting into otherwise unattainable spots.

E - Paint Shells: It is a free ability, but for 200 credits, you can buy a second grenade. Raze throws a grenade that explodes, dealing damage, and releases smaller grenades, which also explode with a slight delay. This is a very strong ability: the first explosion can kill an enemy without armor, and if he gets hit by the clusters too, even armor will not save him.

C - Boom Bot: Raze releases a drone in front of her. It rolls and changes its direction after contact with an obstacle. If it sees an enemy, it rushes towards him and explodes. This is a very strong ability - you can let out in zones of limited visibility, and the enemy simply can not do anything but shoot it or get 'sploded on. You can also let it go around a corner. Launching it in an open confrontation is not worth it - the drone is destroyed by a couple of shots.

X - Showstopper: quite a classic bazooka, inflicting huge damage in the radius of the missile hit.

Phoenix

Homeland: U.K. Phoenix is a very selfish character. His skills practically leave no room for interaction with the team unless you follow closely and reap the benefit of his vision-impairing effects.

Abilities:

Q - Curveball: throws a sphere that, after a short time, blinds all players looking in the direction, including Phoenix himself. The sphere cannot be cast in a straight line; it will be twisted left or right.

E - Hot Hands: allows you to throw a fireball that explodes after a short delay or when it hits the ground. Fire deals damage to all enemies within the radius of defeat, but at the same time heals Phoenix himself. You can throw the ball with the left or right mouse button: The right mouse button will throw it under his feet, while the left throws it a distance.

C - Blaze: creates a wall of fire that damages any player who tries to pass through it, including allies. In addition, it blocks visibility, and it can be curved during the cast by turning the crosshair with the mouse button pressed.

X - Run It Back: marks your current location, making it so that if you die while this ability is active or when its duration expires, you will be reborn in the marked place with full health. In this case, the appearance of Phoenix changes; he is on fire. You can always know that he is in this form. The ability is great for a quick rush in a critical situation and rebirth in a safe place.

Reyna

Homeland: Mexico. An extremely aggressive agent - this is the style that suits her to the full potential. The mechanics of Reyna’s abilities are tied to spheres of souls that fall from killed enemies. Absorbing spheres with various abilities, you will receive various effects.

Abilities:

Q - Devour: absorbs the opponent’s sphere, restoring his health. If the restored health is more than 100 units, then it goes into the "overheal" and acts as an additional temporary shield, but not more than 50 units. “Excess” health gradually decreases over time. This ability is combined with the ultimate: under the action of the ult, each kill will restore health automatically.

E - Dismiss: using the sphere of the soul, Reyna becomes invulnerable for 2 seconds, but cannot use weapons. You can interrupt an ability at any time. This ability is combined with the ultimate: under the influence of the ult, Reyna also becomes invisible.

C - Leer: creates a ball in the form of an eye, restricting the view of enemies who look at it. An adversary can easily destroy a ball. The eye can be thrown through the walls.

X - Empress: increases the rate of fire, reduces cooldown, and speeds up the use of your skills. In addition, opponents become highlighted in red. With each kill, the duration of rabies is extended. Other skills can be used under the effect of the ultimate ability, getting additional effects from them.

Controllers 

These agents control the battlefield, reducing visibility, blocking walkways, etc. They are one of the most demanding knowledge of the map and the ability to feel timings. On the other hand, they know a little bit of everything and can show themselves in all situations.

Omen 

Homeland: Unknown. Omen is the best agent for those who want to forget about their abilities and just shoot. His origin is unknown—the most mysterious character.

Abilities:

Q - Paranoia: released a shadow that limits the view of all who touches it. The effect goes away in a few seconds.

E - Dark cover: releases a sphere that expands at the selected point. A sphere hides your location.

C - Shrouded Step: short-range teleport with a loud sound effect and monstrously long cast animation that leaves the hero unarmed.

X - From The Shadow: teleport Omen anywhere on the map. At the endpoint, the character’s shadow appears first, and if it is killed, Omen remains alive, but teleportation is canceled. After the teleportation is complete, Omen is invulnerable for several seconds.

Brimstone

Homeland: USA. Brimstone is former military, and an excellent agent for those who, at the beginning of all rounds in CS:GO, offer teammates to arrange grenade throws. With the help of his signature skill, this character can independently throw three smoke grenades at any point on the map without resorting to teammates.

Abilities:

Q - Incendiary: throws a grenade that rains down a field of fire on enemies, causing damage and spills a puddle of fire.

E - Sky Smoke: causes a smokescreen to anywhere on the map, but within a certain radius from you, reducing visibility for all players.

C - Steam Beacon: sets a steam beacon on the ground, which increases the rate of fire of all who are nearby: allies and opponents. Use carefully. It has two charges.

X - Orbital Strike: causes a destructive orbital strike, which within a few seconds, deals damage to all enemies in the affected area. You can call it anywhere on the map. But it only deals damage to players in the open space. 

Viper

Homeland: USA. Viper is an interesting character. She has her own unique resource - toxin, which is spent on applying abilities.

Abilities:

Q - Poison Cloud: throws a gas spray on the ground. When activated, it sprays a poisonous cloud and expends the toxin to maintain it. Just like with the curtain, the spray gun remains on the ground until the end of the round, but it can be picked up and, after a short recovery time, thrown back.

E - Toxic Screen: throws a wall of sprayers on the ground, and after pressing the button again, they shoot up and create a wall of gas. After activation, the atomizers begin to consume fuel and turn off when it runs out. At the same time, the sprayers will not disappear and will stand until the end of the round - in the presence of fuel; it can be reused. It is important to understand where to place the nebulizers and when to use them for maximum efficiency.

C - Snake Bite: shoots a shell with acid. When it hits the ground, acid spills and causes damage to anyone who enters it. Has two charges.

X - Viper's Pit: sprays a huge toxic cloud. It remains as long as Viper is inside it. All enemies inside the cloud are highlighted for Viper (but not for allies). The cloud greatly reduces the visibility of enemies and constantly deals damage, but if you leave it, then health will gradually recover. A very powerful ability combined with experienced players can cut down entire enemy teams when used correctly. The ability is difficult to use in defense - enemies can always turn around and go to another point. But in the attack after laying the spike, the ultimate gives Viper a good chance to win the round. 

Initiators

Initiators' main goal is to obtain information about opponents and distract them. These agents are very important tactical characters and are irreplaceable in a close-knit team.

Breach

Homeland: Sweden. Breach is a perfect agent for team play - his abilities allow him to do challenging tactical things on the map. He’s especially useful in narrow corridors and streets. 

Some of his skills like Flashpoint and Aftershock can pass through textures (walls), while simultaneously causing massive damage.

Despite the support role, Breach is quite capable of solo actions — his simple abilities and ultimate working in an incredible radius and dealing tons of damage.

Abilities:

Q - Flashpoint: launches a blinding charge that can be thrown through the wall. Blinds all players for 2 seconds, including allies, who will look at the flash.

E - Fault Line: causes a seismic explosion. When the button is held down, the fault range is adjusted, and after release, the ability is activated. This stuns everyone, including allies, for 3 seconds.

C - Aftershock: launches a nuclear charge. It can penetrate walls, the explosion causes heavy damage to everyone who fell into its affected area.

X - Rolling Thunder: Breach's ultimate is actually an improved version of his signature ability. The skill releases the same wave, which not only stuns the enemies but also throws them into the air, causing little damage. In addition to considerable damage, enemies under this skill will be thrown back a little, which can slightly overwhelm them. After activation, the charge creates an earthquake, but not across the entire area of damage, as you can see on the map immediately before the charge is activated, but in small parts. If you coordinate this with the team and try to make a point, the effect can be quite good.

Sova

Homeland: Russia. Sova is an initiator, archer, and scout, so he rushes into fights and arranges a commotion on time. His abilities allow the team to get enough tactical information so that teammates know exactly what they will face. His “proprietary” and strategically most important ability is the Recon Bolt, which allows him to reveal enemy positions. This ability makes Sova a very powerful agent in both attack and defense.

Even if the terrain scan doesn’t show anything, you can still use it to narrow down your location options. But, despite the fact that Sova excels in intelligence, and he is a very powerful agent due to his abilities.

Abilities:

Q - Shock Bolt: Sova fires a bolt that explodes and emits a destructive pulse of static energy. Damages in an area-of-effect. You can choose to have the arrow bounce up to two times to get it around corners. The ability has only 2 charges.

E - Recon Bolt: a bolt shot that deploys a sonar to illuminate enemies. Sound waves mark opponents in a radius and they can be seen through walls and on the minimap, but only if the enemy has no obstacles blocking the line of sight on the enemy. In addition, the sonar can be broken, which is what you need to do when playing against Sova. Has a recovery time of 35 seconds.

C - Owl Drone: launch a drone to detect enemies on the entire map. The drone is controlled in real-time and you can fly it around the map, but your character is defenseless. From the drone, you can shoot a marking dart at the enemy that pulses three times, revealing their location.

X - Hunter's Fury: Sova releases up to three deadly energy and explosive bolts that pierce the entire map. Each hit on the enemy inflicts huge damage on him and marks the enemy on the map. Having fired the first shot, you have a few more seconds to take two more or the skill will be canceled. Opponents in a few moments see the place of flight of the arrow and have a chance to dodge.

Sentinels

These agents are support and defense. They heal allies and correctly limit the movement of the enemy to your positions.

Sage

Homeland: China. Sage is an analog of a medic and support character, but there are many ways to play her quite aggressively. Her basic skills are tied to healing, resurrecting, and blocking the map, but this does not mean that you should always sit in the rear. In addition, Sage can set a high barrier once per round. The outcome of many battles depends on this support agent.

Abilities:

Q - Slow Orb: This slowing sphere is an extremely powerful ability that you can buy in the amount of two pieces per round. Unlike smoke, they also unmask and slow down players. Spheres throw like grenades, so many use them only with direct visibility, this is quite risky since you will be vulnerable at the time of the throw. However, on each map, there are special points that you just need to find and remember. They will allow you to use the sphere as efficiently as possible without putting yourself at risk. In tandem with Brimstone, Viper, or even Omen, you can fully control the map.

E - Healing Orb: heal any friendly agent for 100 health in 30 seconds, making it generally useful throughout the round.

C - Barrier Orb: creates an impenetrable wall. You can rotate it during installation. One of the longest obstacles in the game - it lasts about 40 seconds and can tightly seal the passage you need. It will not be possible to break it silently and the enemy will reveal himself in the event of a breakthrough.

X - Resurrection: allows you to resurrect a dead ally with full health. An ally is not resurrected immediately after use, but after a few seconds. It's a powerful ability that can change the course of any fight in your favor. But there are several other points to consider when using it. For example, if you are in a round where your team has an advantage, it is sometimes worthwhile to return an additional player to further increase your chances. And finally, rebirth can be useful if your team has little money. You can take a live player with a weapon with you to the next round - if you are saving and you have a rebirth, then take a partner with you.

Cypher

Homeland: Morocco. Cypher is an observer agent in VALORANT who was designed to control the movement of enemies on the map. He has gadgets that he uses to find and track the enemy. Cypher is good because of the information he provides, while the whole team doesn't have to put themselves at risk to obtain it.

Abilities:

Q - Cyber Cage: installation of a trap with remote control. When activated, creates a cell that slows down enemies. The trap can be destroyed.

E - Spycam: installs a video camera that helps track the movement of enemies. The first use of the skill sets the camera, the second lets you look through it. In camera view, you can release a tracking dart that will mark the location of the enemy. The camera can be removed and installed again. In addition, it can be destroyed, but then you will have the opportunity to install a new one after a while.

C - Trapwire: allows you to set a tripwire between two walls. Enemies trapped are immobilized for a while and marked on the map. If the wire is not destroyed, it will blind the enemy. It is not visible to the opponent until they get very close to it and can be reused if it is not destroyed.

X - Neural Theft: extracts from the body of the killed enemy information about the location of the remaining enemies. This skill can be charged by killing enemies, or by collecting spheres on the map. Once you kill an enemy agent, there is a time frame to activate this ability. This will show your entire team where the enemies are.

***

VALORANT is a team game and you should think wisely who to pick to lead your squad to success in a round or match. As you can see, all 11 agents are unique and different in their abilities. Even if only five of them are available at the beginning of the game, you can unlock others during your playing path.

The situation in the game often depends on a player's skill (and a lot of played games, of course) and the ability to understand and predict the enemy's actions.

We hope that Riot Games will continue to release new agents with exciting abilities.