The different classes in Valorant
In Valorant, you play a very unique agent. However, all characters are part of larger groups. At the moment, Riot Games' FPS offers you four distinct classesIn this guide, we explain the differences between them, their expected roles, and the Agents found in each class, namely Controllers, Duelists, Initiators and Sentinels. In this guide, we explain the differences between them, their expected roles, and the Agents found in each class.
Overall, a good composition is considered to include at least one agent from each class in the game. In this way, you have different utilities to cover all eventualities. However, this rule is not set in stone and may depend on how comfortable you are with the different agents, but also on the style of play of your team.
The Controllers
Also known as SmokersThis class is essential in any good composition. As the name suggests, these agents are map control experts. Controllers are expected to do two essential things. Firstly, they are expected to break dangerous lines of sight, so as to blur the vision of enemies, and secondly, they are expected to provide cover for their allies to facilitate their movements. In addition, they can slow down opponents, prevent them from disarming the Spike or inflict damage. Because of their importance in team strategies, they often take on the role of in-game leaderThey have to communicate well with their teammates.
If they are commonly called Smokers, it is for a good reason... Most of these Agents have of smoke to ensure their role. Only Viper has no smoke as such; it diffuses poison in the form of an orb or a retractable wall. Nevertheless, they all have their own special features that make them unique. With its ultimate, Omen can teleport anywhere on the map, while Viper can confine itself in a mass of poison. Astra and Harbor can stun enemies with certain abilities, while Brimstone will be able to inflict damage as needed.
Please refer to our dedicated guides to learn more about each Agent.
The Duelists
This category of agents consists of rather independent fighters. In a team, Duelists bring the aggressive forceThe Duelists are expected to have the necessary skills to enter the site and quickly gain the upper hand over the opposing team. Duelists are expected tothey are the first to engage in combat and destabilise enemies as much as possible. Although they are more solitary, this does not mean that these agents should never play with their teammates.
Duelists have a variety of spell kits, so you can enjoy different gameplay from one Agent to the next. Reyna and Phoenix, for example, can regenerate or disrupt their opponents' vision. Raze, Neon and Jett, on the other hand, can move in very quickly and drive enemies back. Like a shadowy assassin, Yoru can easily teleport behind opponents' backs, blurring their vision with flashbulbs, while Iso can literally take on his enemies in duels to the death.
Please refer to our dedicated guides to learn more about each Agent.
Initiators
The Initiators are the first pillar of the Duelists at the beginning of the game: they are real informants. It is expected that these Agents initiate the taking of a site. They allow their team to enter the site, with the necessary data to attack well and not be caught off guard. Later in the game, the Initiators can act in an aggressive or defensive manner, and can in particular make it hard for enemies to disarm the Spike.
As we have seen with Controllers and Duelists, the classes have an overall role, but the Agents within them will be able to act in very different ways. Initiators are no exception. For example, to retrieve data, Sova will use her arrow sensor, Fade will use her Hatter, Skye will send her wolf, while KAY/O will throw her knife.
Please refer to our dedicated guides to learn more about each Agent.
The Sentinels
In Valorant, Riot Games describes the Sentinels as "defence experts, who lock down areas and monitor the flanks, both in Attack and Defence".. Therefore, these agents are not expected to be at the front, but rather in support in the back lines. The Sentinels will have to keep an eye on the flankers and take as much information as possible, here and there on the maps with their tools. It is therefore essential that they communicate with their team. In Attack, as in Defence, they are expected tothey lock the access to the siteand thatthey slow down the advance of the enemy. Despite their rather defensive role, it is not impossible to play a Sentinel aggressively. This is less advisable, but in doing so you may surprise your opponents.
Like all the other classes in the game, these Agents share a common role, but have their own style of carrying out their mission. For example, Sage can use the effectiveness of his Ice Wall to interrupt a rush, or position it upstream to close off an entrance. Deadlock can use his Restraint Net in the same way, or to block an individual in a corner. Chamber, for his part, can move quickly around the same site thanks to his teleporter. Killjoy, Deadlock and Cypher use their gadgets to detect enemy targets and warn their team-mates.
Please refer to our dedicated guides to learn more about each Agent.
You now have all the keys to better understand the role of each class in Valorant. To master them even more, there is no secret, you will have to test them. We wish you a good game!
Are you looking for more information about Valorant? Do not hesitate to consult our guides to getting started.