Like any competitive game, Valorant has its own unique set of terms that players use for effective communication and strategizing during matches. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will help you navigate the terminology of Valorant.
Types of Valorant Terminology
In this section, we'll delve into all the existing terminology of the game and specifically structure the list for you to easily familiarise yourself with. Let's get started.
Basic Valorant Terms
For beginners, it's important to understand the basic terms used in Valorant. For example, "Spike" refers to the game object that needs to be planted or defended in various game modes. In this section, we've compiled most of the important terms for you to study, for comfortable interaction with your teammates.
Agent:
A playable character, each of whom has unique abilities and weapons. In the game, there are several terms that denote the roles of agents, among which Duelist stands out - a class of agents that possess high attacking power and are capable of engaging in direct combat with enemies. Controller, which specializes in area control and providing tactical support for the team. Initiator, facilitating the start of an attack or defence by creating opportunities for their team. Sentinel, is the last class of agents who guard and protect their team, providing information about enemy locations and setting up defensive devices.
Map:
The game map where matches take place. In Valorant, there are several maps, each with its own unique structure and features. All the main events unfold on the map, which are divided into rounds. Round - one of the periods of the game during which teams compete to achieve objectives, such as planting or defusing the bomb. When one of the teams has enough rounds to win the match, it is called Match Point.
Bomb / Spike:
The goal of the attacking team is to plant the Spike (Bomb) on one of the predetermined areas of the map, while the defending team's task is to prevent this. Defenders are the team tasked with defending areas of the map and preventing the attacking team from planting the Spike. On the other hand, Attackers are tasked with planting the Spike in one of the areas and defending it until it explodes. Depending on which side you're playing for, during the match, you'll either have to plant the bomb (Planting) or defuse it (Defusing). This takes a certain amount of time, during which the player is vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Flash:
The use of an agent's ability can blind opponents, providing you with a safe entry onto a point. Additionally, in the game, there are several other abilities that serve a similar function.
Molly - the use of an ability that deals periodic damage and can hinder enemy movement or force them to leave a position. Also present in the game are Smoke class abilities, which can block visibility and control enemy movement. Also, don't forget about the Ultimate Ability, which is present for each agent in Valorant and can be used after charging it during the game. These abilities are often powerful and can change the course of a round.
Clutch:
When a player is the last survivor on their team and successfully wins a round against multiple enemies. Also in Valorant, there is the designation of Ace for a player who independently eliminates all five members of the opposing team in one round.
Headshot:
A shot that hits the enemy's head, dealing significantly more damage than shots to other parts of the body. Pick - a quick peek from behind cover to gather information or engage enemies for swift elimination. Shooting at a spot where you expect an enemy to be for preemptive damage is called Pre-fire.
Lurk / Flank:
A player who operates separately from the main group of their team with the aim of surprising and attacking the enemy from a different direction. Attacking the enemy from the side or behind usually catches them off guard, giving you an advantage.
Valorant Strategy Dictionary:
Understanding strategic terminology helps players develop more effective plans of action. Knowing terms for team actions, such as "Push" or "Hold," where players indicate specific strategic decisions, helps better coordinate attacks and defend your teammates.
Push:
Sometimes you may hear this term from your teammates; it means aggressively advancing towards a specific area or spot, which is likely to be marked on the map. However, this is not always the best strategy, so sometimes we resort to using Hold, which denotes a less aggressive style of play and focuses on defending around the bomb or planting site. If your round turns out to be unsuccessful, never hesitate to resort to Save. The decision to save your current weapons and equipment is usually used when the team is losing and cannot afford to buy new gear.
Bait:
A player or action that attracts the attention of the enemy, making them easier to attack or destroy. However, if you're unsure of your abilities, you can always resort to Camping, a strategy where a player stays in one place for a long time, waiting for enemies.
Ninja defuse:
Defusing the bomb when the enemy doesn't notice your presence at the point, for example, if the Spike is in smoke. Not every player can pull off such a trick, but this decision often turns the tide of the match in your favour. However, in this situation, you may encounter an enemy trying to find you.
Trade:
When one player kills an enemy who killed a teammate, thereby maintaining the team's numerical advantage. A defensive tactic where two or more players cover each other's angles, making it difficult for enemies to advance or attack, is called Crossfire.
Communication Terms in Valorant
Communication plays a crucial role in the success of teams in Valorant. For example, "eco round" signifies a round where the team saves on weaponry to have more resources in the next round. So, don't forget to communicate with your team to develop further action plans.
Site:
One of the locations on the map where you can plant or, correspondingly, defuse the bomb. Heaven is a term indicating a high position; other designations for each site are also present in the game. For instance, a low position, usually under visible or invisible cover, is called Hell, or a spot where a player can be boosted by teammates for an advantage in map overview or shooting is called a Boost spot.
Eco-round:
A round in which the team saves money by not purchasing expensive weapons or equipment to have the opportunity to acquire better gear in subsequent rounds. Force-buy is a round where the team spends most of its money, often sacrificing a full set of utilities or powerful weapons. A round where the team buys the best equipment and a full set of utilities is called a Full buy. A strategy and tactic devised to combat a team with a low budget is denoted by the term Anti-eco.
Retake:
Regaining control of a site after it has been captured by opponents. To successfully retake the plant, don't hesitate to ask your controllers to set up One-way Smoke, which allows smoke placement to fall in a way that one team can see through it while players from the other team cannot.
Tagged:
A situation where a player receives damage but doesn't die. The term is used to inform teammates of the inability to defend a certain passage or continue the attack due to low health. Thus, we come to a situation where regrouping by resorting to Rotation is necessary, usually, this action is applied to pull teammates together to provide assistance in both defence and offence.
Slang in Valorant
In the world of Valorant, there are numerous unique expressions and slang terms that may seem unclear to newcomers. For example, "One-tap" refers to killing with one shot.
AFK:
Away from keyboard, also used to describe a player who is not actively playing or participating in the game. If you encounter such a teammate, you might easily get into Tilt, a term indicating a state of irritation or anger that negatively affects a player's gaming performance.
OP:
Overpowered – used to describe something in the game considered too strong or unbalanced. When an agent or weapon in the game is intentionally weakened by developers to balance gameplay, it's called a Nerf.
Spray:
A series of shots from a weapon without reloading or with breaks to control recoil. However, if you're a seasoned shooter and prefer to kill with a single headshot, then the term One-tap is for you. Frag, slang indicating the destruction of an opponent.
In conclusion, understanding the terminology and slang in Valorant is a key aspect of successful gameplay. Don't hesitate to learn new terms and communicate with your team to improve your skills and achieve victory on the battlefield.
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