Valorant Starter Agents: A Guide for New Players

Embarking on the journey through the vibrant and strategic world of Valorant, beginners may find themselves surrounded by a myriad of choices when it comes to selecting their character, or in game parlance, their agent. With an array of abilities, roles, and styles housed within each agent, understanding the ins and outs of the Valorant characters can be pivotal to not just enjoying the game, but also climbing the competitive ladder. Especially considering the initial learning curve, identifying the best agent in Valorant for beginners is paramount.

Easiest VALORANT Agents for Beginners

Navigating the initial steps in VALORANT can be significantly smoother with the right agent choice, Phoenix, Sage, Brimstone, KAY/O, and Killjoy often top the list as the easiest agents for beginners. Each one brings to the table a utility that’s not just straightforward but also incredibly vital in various contexts within the game.

Phoenix, with his self-sufficient and aggressive kit, introduces beginners to the mechanics of flashes and area control in a forgiving manner. Sage, on the other hand, underlines the importance of spatial control and team sustainability, a lesson crucial for thriving on VALORANT’s diverse maps. Brimstone offers a simple yet effective insight into using smokes, teaching new players the art of strategic obscuration and distance play.

For those transitioning from CS:GO, KAY/O might feel like slipping into a familiar pair of shoes, with his flashes and ability-suppression utility mirroring mechanics that are pivotal in CS:GO gameplay. Overwatch players might find a comforting familiarity with Killjoy, whose deployable utility and info-gathering bots might remind them of certain characters from their previous gaming adventures.

Embarking on your VALORANT journey, it’s pivotal to immerse yourself fully into understanding your chosen agent’s kit. It's a journey of several matches, multiple engagements, and gradual mastery. And remember, versatility is key in VALORANT, so while you’re mastering one agent, keep an eye on learning the ropes with a few others too, ensuring you always have a familiar fallback in any match.

Pheonix

Phoenix, the fiery Duelist that always catches my eye, especially for newcomers in VALORANT. Available straight away, his role, in essence, is to pave the way, creating spaces and opportunities for the team. His ability kit, a blend of offense and self-sustain, really lets players dive into action promptly.

Curveball, for example, has turned many rounds in my favor with its unexpected flash, while Hot Hands has saved me from the brink more times than I can count, damaging foes and healing me in a pinch. Blaze offers that versatile tool, a wall that either deters enemies or crafts a safe(ish) passage.

His ultimate, Run It Back, is like a second shot at bravery, enabling bold plays without the full risk. Honestly, it's quite the safety net for beginners, offering room for exploration and aggression without hefty consequences.

Phoenix, with his self-healing and upfront combat style, feels like a great fit for those who lean towards a bit of assertiveness in their gameplay, if played CS:GO you will definitely find him quiet pleasing to play if you are new to Valorant or transforming from another FPS.

Sage

Stepping into VALORANT with Sage feels like you’re bringing a calming presence to the chaotic battlefields. As one of the agents you get to choose from at the start, and positioned as a Sentinel, her skill set primarily orbits around healing and crafting strategic barriers, making her a cornerstone for team sustainability and defense.

Her Barrier Orb isn’t just a wall; it’s a statement, often dictating engagements and territorial control. Similarly, her Slow Orb doesn’t merely decelerate opponents but alters their tactical decisions, forcing them to reconsider their paths. The Healing Orb, aside from being a lifeline for you and your teammates, is often a beacon of hope in those nail-biting clutch situations. Unlike the self-reliant Phoenix, Sage's playstyle nudges her to stay woven into the team's formation. Her ultimate, Resurrection, isn’t just an ability; it's a tide-turner in VALORANT’s no-respawn scenarios, bringing teammates back from the brink and potentially shifting the round's outcome.

For newbies, especially those still refining their aim and movement, Sage offers a balance environment. Your impact isn’t merely measured by your kill count but by your ability to sustain your team and construct meaningful barriers with your wall. Since her kit subtly encourages you to stick with your team, she’s an excellent pick for those looking to evolve from a lone wolf to a team player.

Brimstone

Brimstone! The steadfast captain of our VALORANT lineup and a solid pick right from the get-go. This guy doesn’t just bring a military vibe to the table; he carries a kit that’s all about having your team’s back. We’re talking Sky Smoke, Orbital Strike, that spicy Incendiary, and the friendly Stim Beacon.

Now, Controllers, they usually carry a bit of a learning curve in VALORANT, don’t they? It's not just about knowing your way around the map but also dropping your utilities without accidentally rolling out the red carpet for the enemy team. But, if you’ve got your heart set on mastering the Controller vibes, Brimstone might just be your guy to kick things off.

Diving into his abilities, his Incendiary is all about landing a fiery surprise where the enemy least expects it. Those Sky Smokes? A godsend when you need to block off those prying enemy eyes or make a swift, obscured exit. The Stim Beacon gives that sweet rapid-fire and a little speed nudge to any mates in its radius, while his Orbital Strike, if landed just right, can turn an enemy setup into chaos.

Brimstone, with his stoic demeanor and beard that's seen things, might come off as your typical FPS old guard, but he’s here to help ease you into the ropes of VALORANT. From managing smokes, mollies, to getting a grip on shooting and positioning, getting cozy with Brimstone’s utility will set you up with a solid base for understanding the game. Plus, even if you're not snagging all the frags, mastering his support play ensures you’re always an asset to your team.

KAY/O

KAY/O, the robot with a plan, isn’t available right from the get-go in VALORANT, needing an agent contract activation to unlock his potential. Slotted as an Initiator, his mission on the team revolves around pinpointing enemy locations and, quite frankly, being a real nuisance to them with his kit, which includes FRAG/Ment, FLASH/Drive, ZERO/Point, and NULL/Cmd.

His FLASH/Drive is your classic, throw-and-cover-your-eyes flashbang. It’s a blast but remember, it doesn’t discriminate and will blind your teammates too if they’re caught looking. For those who’ve clocked hours in CS:GO, this ability will feel like bumping into an old friend due to its similarity to the classic flashbang grenade from that game.

FRAG/Ment is all about that explosive presence, sticking to the floor and giving enemies a shocking surprise if they’re caught in its blast radius. The ZERO/Point, a suppression blade, doesn’t just stick; it denies, adhering to surfaces and putting a dampener on enemy abilities for a bit. NULL/Cmd? It’s a suppressor's dream, dampening enemy abilities in its radius while giving KAY/O a bit of a pep in his step and firepower.

KAY/O’s charm, especially for beginners, lies in the familiarity of his utility if you’ve dipped your toes into other shooters. That traditional flashbang utility can be a comforting constant amidst the chaos of learning a new game. His abilities lean more towards info-gathering and enemy disruption than perhaps an agent like Skye, positioning him as a friendly option for new initiators in the VALORANT world.