The core gameplay of Valorant, like most competitive shooters, is based on the confrontation between two sides, offence and defence. At the beginning of each match, teams are randomly assigned to one side, and after 12 rounds, they switch places. Each side has its unique strategies and tips. We will talk about offence later, but today, the Bo3 editorial team has created a list of the best tips for Valorant defence strategies, so our readers can learn all the nuances of playing on this side.

What is the defence side's objective?

Before we begin, let's talk about the basics. Players on the defence side must protect certain points on the map from the Spike being planted for 1:40. If the Spike is planted, defenders must defuse it. Moreover, eliminating all opponents can also lead to victory for the defending side, but only if the Spike has not been planted. If the bomb has been planted, defenders must defuse it, even if no enemies are left alive. Now that you've recalled the basics, let's move on to tips for winning defence rounds in Valorant.

1 – Choosing the Right Agents

The first tip is quite simple and obvious, and it concerns choosing the right agents. As of now, Valorant offers 23 unique characters, whose abilities are suited for various situations. Therefore, there are agents who are better suited for playing on the defence side. For example, characters whose ultimates cover a large area and cause damage or stun are preferable. Such agents include Killjoy, Viper, Sova (situationally), and Brimstone. The latter is one of the best characters for defending a plant site on his own, thanks to his ultimate Orbital Strike. You just need to get information about the beginning of a Spike plant, launch your ultimate, and you will most likely win defence rounds in Valorant.

2 – Camping - Your Best Friend

Although the competitive shooter community, including Valorant, does not favor players who sit in one spot throughout the round and wait for the opponent, in the case of playing on the defence side, it is a necessity. Your task is to effectively protect the plant point, so you should use all "dirty" tricks, including camping.

3 – Choose Weapons Depending on the Map

When playing on the defence side, it's very important to choose the right weapon. For example, you don't need to rush or push the opponents, so you can skip choosing Vandal and Phantom. Note that it all depends on the specific map. For instance, on the Pearl location, there is a long straight stretch when entering point B, with only one column. This distance is perfectly covered by sniper rifles, such as the Operator, Marshall, and the newly introduced Outlaw. Therefore, using the right weapon is one of the main Valorant defensive tips.

4 – Don't Forget About Rotations

Moving around the map on the defence side is one of the important points that can lead you to victory. Rotations are necessary when you're successfully defending one of the Spike plant points, resulting in the enemies moving to another. It's especially difficult to perform rotations on maps with three plant points, like Haven and Lotus. We recommend constantly monitoring the movement of opponents, and in case of their rotation, perform your own to be ready to meet them at other points.

5 – Stay Calm in Post-plant Situations

Although the main task of the defence side is to prevent the Spike from being planted, even if it happens, you shouldn't be discouraged. After the bomb is planted, the post-plant period begins, during which the attacking side will try to protect the Spike. In such a case, don't panic and rush to defuse it. After planting, you have a whole 45 seconds until the explosion, and considering that defusing takes 7 seconds, defenders have a full 38 seconds to rectify the situation. In such cases, we recommend coordinating as much as possible with your teammates and using abilities like smokes and covers to successfully regain control and defuse the Spike. Note that defusing the bomb in the post-plant period demonstrates your mastery of defence in Valorant.

6 – Communicate with Your Team

The next tip is the basis of team play for any side because communicating with your teammates is very important. You can learn about the enemy's condition after a shootout, how much health they have left, which abilities they used, and where on the map they were spotted. This will allow you to effectively perform a rotation or engage in a shootout, which could be a decisive point in winning a round.

7 – Keep an Eye on the Economy

The economy in Valorant, as in other team shooters, is a very important component. It's equally important for the defence side. It's crucial to constantly monitor your credits, and not spend them all every round. For example, if you've lost several rounds in a row, consider saving and buying cheaper weapons. Also, the economy directly depends on your agent; if your abilities are key to defending a point against opponents, prioritize buying them and armour first, and then, with the remaining credits, buy a weapon. We recommend reading the Valorant economy guide from the Bo3 editorial to learn all the nuances of the economy.

READ MORE: Valorant Economy Guide

8 – Practice Regularly

Although playing defence in Valorant largely depends on choosing the right agents, don't forget about practice. Sometimes, abilities alone are not enough, and you need to rectify the situation with a couple of precise shots. We recommend playing Valorant regularly to improve your shooting skills and not forget about the agents and their abilities, to confidently cooperate with teammates and avoid unpleasant enemy skills.

9 – Watch the Time

Also, don't forget to keep an eye on the game time, as it's one of the main indicators of a successful round. Remember, time is needed for any action in Valorant. Whether you want to perform an effective rotation, defuse the Spike, flank an opponent, or just wait for the round to end. We recommend always keeping an eye on the timer at the top of your screen and learning the sound of the Spike to avoid situations where there's only one second left to defuse, and it explodes due to incorrect timing. Note that playing by timing is an effective defence tactic in Valorant.

10 – Don't Take on the Role of Attack

The last point in our list of tips is understanding your role. Often, players who are too confident think that they don't need to choose the right position, and it's enough to kill all the enemies, and the round will be won. Often, it's such a decision that leads to the defence side's defeat because the bold "hero" is killed, and your strategy falls apart, leaving your team at a disadvantage. Remember, playing on the defence side is primarily about defence, so we do not recommend being too confident and jeopardizing your teammates.

Conclusion

After reading our material, Bo3 readers have learned about the best tips for playing on the defence side in Valorant. In conclusion, it's important not only to follow the above-mentioned tips but also to practice regularly and keep an eye on the game's objective. By doing so, you will learn how to play defence in Valorant and master all the nuances of the game on this side.