*No Bs* How to STRAFE & SHOOT n0ted style – Valorant
Contents
If you find that you get overheated too often after turning a corner in Valorant, don’t worry. These tips and tweaks will allow you to change your game in no time.
Valorant’s roster of heroes has plenty of powers to overcome the enemy, but, in the end, it’s your aim and in-game experience that will get you through most situations in this team-based tactical shooter from Riot Games. Although hero skills are a fundamental part of the game, you’ll notice that Valorant has more in common with CS:GO (Counterstrike: Global Offensive) than with other hero-based shooters like Overwatch.
So, if you’ve been struggling to get past the tight bottlenecks in Bind or had a hard time surviving the long and dangerous passage of Haven, this guide will help you be the one to rule over your opponents.
1. Grid placement
Reticle placement is, without a doubt, the most important aspect of aiming to improve your k/d in Valorant. It means keeping your aim centered on the screen, placing your reticle at the perfect head height, while defending and attacking over the course of the round. The idea is to minimize the number of corrections you will have to make when you spot a player. If their reticle is at head height, then you only have to cover a (relatively small) horizontal distance. This will take time, and the dedication to break some bad habits. This goes out to any of you who aim at the ground and those of you who have your reticle in the clouds: Make the effort to change to this style of play and you will see your game improve with discipline. Mind you, there has to be a conscious effort to change your playing style, but it will help you make a big leap in Valorant.
2. Practice
As the old saying goes: to be an expert at something, you first have to put in ten thousand hours of practice. Although ten thousand may be a bit…. Excessive? You should go to the range before going into action, practice your marksmanship and familiarize yourself with Valorant’s arsenal of weapons.
Want to choose the Operator? Go ahead, it’s OP, but get used to it. Mastering the ranges, distances, and strengths of each weapon as you figure out what you’re comfortable with will help you when your economy gets tight and your options start to run out. However, be careful not to spend too much time at the range and burn out. You can start slow, but thirty-minute sessions with consistency will pay off.
3. Stand still
Call of duty and Battlefield have taught us a lot of skills that won’t really be useful in this game. Sprinting around the map shooting from the hip with a submachine gun is nothing more than a fantasy when you get into a game of Valorant. Your shots will be remarkably wild and inaccurate as you shoot on the fly, even if you aim with the scope. Take your time and try to stand still. You can take someone down with a heavy shield, but only if you hit them in the head. The steadiest hand in Valorant wins just as often as the fastest.
4. You and your reticle; what you’re doing wrong
Some may think this is no big deal, but finding a reticle that’s right for you and your play style is important. Reducing the scatter indicator and choosing a color that stands out against the drab Bind backdrop will help a lot. It can also give you a more accurate reference to hit the head with more consistency. It all depends on what works best for you. Once you adjust your crosshairs, you’ll be amazed at the improvement. Simply put: your reticle should be simple, small, non-distracting and consistent. Always choose a static reticle rather than a dynamic one that adapts when you shoot or move. If your reticle can’t be consistent, you won’t be either.
5. From the hip
Shooting from the hip is not usually the best option in typical shooters. However, if you keep your feet planted while shooting and have a reliable reticle that you can rely on, then aiming with the crosshairs should be your preferred method for clearing corners in Valorant. Aiming with the crosshairs down makes you more accurate, but decreases your rate of fire. It’s optimal for range, but, in melee, when one shot might be all you need, keeping your eye on the scope gives you a better field of view and a higher rate of fire for when you find something other than a Sage around that corner.
6. Before playing
All of these tips are useless if you don’t have a good setup, so, for the many who will find this too basic and even insultingly so, this is for the few who might not know. If you haven’t figured this out yet: find a sensitivity that’s right for you. Valorant is a slower paced game than most, so a lower sensitivity is more forgiving. Set your DPI to something comfortable for all games and then adjust the sensitivity as best you can. You can find several converters online to figure out preferred settings for Valorant and all your other favorite games while you’re at it. Most professional gamers find themselves at 400 or 800 DPI, but find what works for you and a mouse that suits your game to keep your edge.
7. Leave no stone unturned
If you’re new to the PC world or have never managed to aim with a mouse, an aiming trainer may be your best bet. Aim Hero, Osu, Aiming.pro and 3D Aim Trainer have a host of games and modes that will help you with different aspects of PC gaming. Whether it’s tracking, finger pointing or burst shooting, you’ll find more than one option to help you hone your skills. Aiming trainers range in price from free to around twenty dollars (17 euros), with different games and exercises to test your skills.
