These tips will instantly make you better at console Valorant

With Valorant coming to consoles, a few tips and tricks can separate a player from the ocean of noobs.

With its inspirations from Counter-Strike and other hero shooters, it’s fair to say that Valorant requires a lot of skill. This is compounded by the game’s PC release, which players have been grinding for years. The thriving esports scene for Valorant boasted over 1.6 million viewers during the Madrid Grand Finals in March 2024. With so much attention on pro play, the average player is already pretty solid at the game.

Still, console controls are a whole new ballpark, and with the confirmed lack of gyro aim, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of Valorant gameplay.

Three tips to dominate on console Valorant

Valorant is very different from other popular console shooters like Call of Duty and Fortnite, but a few key tips can help players hit the ground running. Or in Valorant’s case, slowly walking.

Valorant’s Counter-Strike influences mean it encourages tactical gameplay over twitch shooting. There was a time in the past when run-and-gun in Valorant was powerful, but that got nerfed with patches. After all, Riot’s intention with Valorant is essentially Counter-Strike with MOBA mechanics like League of Legends.

When firing in bursts, stop moving. Standing still is one of the most important lessons players need to internalize. Valorant’s gunplay rewards steady shooting and discourages run-and-gun. The more a player moves while firing, the more likely bullets will spread and hit nothing but air. Carefully watch pro players and see how quickly they stop and start moving when firing.

To newbies, they might look “run-and-gun,” but it’s more like “stop-gun-run.” Players should train themselves to fire only when they are not moving and be ready to move at a moment’s notice. Treat abilities as a way to enable more shooting and follow the same tactical philosophy.

Focus mode is a must on consoles, so players should adjust their crosshair and sensitivity settings to their liking. What’s efficient for others may not work for newbies, so settle for what’s comfortable instead of whatever the meta says.

That’s not to say run-and-gun doesn’t have its place, but only experienced players have the skill and confidence to pull the strategy off. As a newbie, stick to peeking around corners and firing steady bursts, not rushing in without a plan.

Know the map, win Valorant

Map awareness will help players win consistently in Valorant. The biggest disadvantage faced by console players is going up against PC players with more knowledge of the maps. Players who know the best spots to snipe and surprise enemies flourish in such a tactical game.

Regularly peek at the minimap and take note of the enemy’s habits. After death, players should note where their killer stood, as that may be a prime spot for hunting. Most players don’t realize games are won by who controls certain areas of the map, and the high kill counts are simply a symptom. Certain maps favor aggressive play over defense turtling and vice versa. Understanding the nuances of the map is key to mastering Valorant. Learning the callouts of the most popular maps can also turn voice chat into a potent weapon.