Here’s how to get into closed beta for Valorant
Valorant is one of the hottest games of 2023. It is a 5v5 character-based tactical shooter from Riot Games, the makers of League of Legends. In Valorant, you can choose from a variety of agents with unique abilities and compete in different modes across different maps. If you are a fan of FPS games like CS:GO or Overwatch, you might want to give Valorant a try.
But how can you play Valorant if it is not officially released yet? The answer is by getting into its closed beta. The closed beta is a test version of Valorant that allows selected players to access the game before its official launch and provide feedback to the developers. The closed beta also offers some exclusive rewards for the participants, such as beta gun buddies and contract rewards.
However, getting into Valorant’s closed beta is not as easy as signing up for an account and downloading the game. You need to follow some specific steps and hope for some luck. In this article, we will show you how to get into closed beta for Valorant, what are the system requirements for playing Valorant, and what are some tips and tricks for playing Valorant better. Let’s get started!
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What is Valorant?
Valorant is a multiplayer first-person shooter game that combines elements of tactical shooters and hero shooters. It is developed and published by Riot Games, the same company behind the popular MOBA game League of Legends. Valorant was announced in October 2019 under the codename Project A, and was officially revealed in March 2020. The game entered its closed beta phase on April 7, 2020, and is expected to launch in the summer of 2020.
In Valorant, two teams of five players each compete in a best-of-24-rounds match. Each player can choose from a roster of agents, each with their own unique abilities and roles. The agents are divided into four categories: Duelist, Initiator, Controller, and Sentinel. Duelists are aggressive agents who excel at taking fights and getting kills. Initiators are agents who can create openings and disrupt the enemy team. Controllers are agents who can manipulate the map and provide utility for their team. Sentinels are agents who can defend and protect their team and objectives.
The main mode of Valorant is called Unrated, where players can play casually or competitively with their friends or random teammates. In Unrated, one team plays as the attackers and the other team plays as the defenders. The attackers’ goal is to plant a bomb called the Spike at one of the two bomb sites on the map, while the defenders’ goal is to stop them or defuse the Spike if it is planted. Each round lasts for 100 seconds, or until one team eliminates the other team or completes their objective. The teams switch sides after 12 rounds.
Valorant also has other modes, such as Spike Rush, Deathmatch, Escalation, and Replication. Spike Rush is a shorter and faster version of Unrated, where each round lasts for 80 seconds and each player gets a random weapon and ability each round. Deathmatch is a free-for-all mode where players can practice their aim and gunplay without abilities or objectives. Escalation is a team-based mode where players have to go through a series of weapons and abilities in a random order. Replication is a mode where each team has to play as the same agent.
Valorant currently has seven maps: Bind, Haven, Split, Ascent, Icebox, Breeze, and Fracture. Each map has its own layout, theme, and features that affect the gameplay and strategy. For example, Bind has two teleporters that can transport players from one side of the map to another, Haven has three bomb sites instead of two, Icebox has zip lines that can allow players to traverse vertically, Breeze has large open spaces that favor long-range engagements, and Fracture has a horseshoe-shaped design that splits the attackers and defenders into two sides.
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Why is Valorant so popular?
Valorant is one of the most popular games of 2020 and 2021, attracting millions of players and viewers around the world. According to Riot Games, Valorant had over 14 million monthly active players in May 2021, making it one of the most played PC games in the world. Valorant also had over 1 billion hours watched on Twitch in 2020, making it one of the most watched games on the streaming platform.
But what makes Valorant so popular? There are several reasons why Valorant appeals to FPS fans and gamers in general. Here are some of them:
- Valorant offers a unique blend of tactical shooter and hero shooter gameplay that challenges both the mechanical skills and strategic thinking of players. Players have to master not only their aim and movement, but also their agent’s abilities and how they interact with their teammates’ abilities.
- Valorant has a vibrant and competitive scene that attracts both casual and hardcore players who want to test their skills against other players. Valorant has a ranked mode that allows players to climb up a ladder of tiers based on their performance and skill level. Valorant also has a professional scene that features tournaments and leagues organized by Riot Games or third-party organizers. Some of the biggest Valorant events include the Valorant Champions Tour ( VCT), the Valorant Masters, and the Valorant Champions.
- Valorant is free to play, which means anyone can download and play the game without paying anything. Valorant also has a fair and cosmetic-only monetization system, which means players can only buy skins and other cosmetic items that do not affect the gameplay or give any advantage. Valorant also has a battle pass system that rewards players with free and premium items as they play the game and complete missions.
- Valorant is developed by Riot Games, one of the most reputable and successful game developers in the industry. Riot Games is known for its high-quality games, constant updates, community engagement, and player support. Riot Games also has a track record of creating and sustaining popular esports titles, such as League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics.
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How to get into Valorant’s closed beta
If you are interested in playing Valorant before its official release, you might want to try to get into its closed beta. The closed beta is a limited-access version of Valorant that allows selected players to play the game and provide feedback to the developers. The closed beta also offers some exclusive rewards for the participants, such as beta gun buddies and contract rewards.
However, getting into Valorant’s closed beta is not as simple as signing up for an account and downloading the game. You need to follow some specific steps and hope for some luck. Here are the main steps to get access to Valorant’s closed beta:
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Register for a Riot account
- The first step is to register for a Riot account, which is the same account you use for other Riot Games titles, such as League of Legends or Teamfight Tactics. If you already have a Riot account, you can skip this step.
- To register for a Riot account, go to https://playvalorant.com and click on the “Play Now” button. You will be redirected to a page where you can create your account by entering your email address, username, password, date of birth, and region.
- Make sure you choose the correct region for your account, as this will affect your eligibility for the closed beta and your ping in the game. You can check your region by clicking on the globe icon on the top right corner of the page.
- After creating your account, you will receive a verification email from Riot Games. Click on the link in the email to verify your account and complete the registration process.
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Link your Riot account to a Twitch account
- The second step is to link your Riot account to a Twitch account, which is a streaming platform where you can watch live broadcasts of Valorant and other games. If you already have a Twitch account, you can skip this step.
- To create a Twitch account, go to https://www.twitch.tv and click on the “Sign Up” button. You will be asked to enter your username, password, date of birth, and email address or phone number.
- After creating your Twitch account, you will need to link it to your Riot account. To do this, go to https://www.twitch.tv/settings/connections and scroll down to the “Other Connections” section. Click on the “Connect” button next to Riot Games and follow the instructions to authorize the connection.
- You can check if your accounts are linked by going back to https://www.twitch.tv/settings/connections and looking for a green check mark next to Riot Games.
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Watch specific Valorant streams on Twitch
- The third step is to watch specific Valorant streams on Twitch that are eligible for drops. Drops are random rewards that you can receive by watching certain streams that have enabled drops by Riot Games. Drops are the only way to get access to Valorant’s closed beta.
- To find Valorant streams that are eligible for drops, go to https://www.twitch.tv/directory/game/VALORANT and look for streams that have a “Drops Enabled” tag under their title. You can also filter the streams by clicking on the “Drops Enabled” button on the top right corner of the page.
- To watch Valorant streams that are eligible for drops, you need to be logged in to your Twitch account that is linked to your Riot account. You also need to have the stream open in your browser or app and be actively watching it. You cannot mute or minimize the stream or switch to another tab or window. You also need to enable the drops feature in your Twitch settings by going to https://www.twitch.tv/settings/profile and toggling on the “Enable Drops” option.
- To watch Valorant streams that are eligible for drops, you do not need to chat, follow, or subscribe to the streamer. You also do not need to watch a specific streamer or a specific amount of time. However, watching more streams and longer hours can increase your chances of getting a drop.
- To check your drop status, you can go to https://www.twitch.tv/inventory and look for Valorant under the “Drops” section. You can also go to https://playvalorant.com and log in with your Riot account to see if you have access to the closed beta.
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Check your email for an invitation
The fourth and final step is to check your email for an invitation from Riot Games. If you are lucky enough to get a drop, you will receive an email from Riot Games with the subject line “You’re in! Welcome to the VALORANT Closed Beta!” The email will contain a link to download the Valorant game client and instructions on how to install and play the game.
If you do not receive an email from Riot Games, do not worry. You can still check if you have access to the closed beta by going to https://playvalorant.com and logging in with your Riot account. If you see a “Download” button on the website, it means you have access to the closed beta and you can download and play the game.
If you do not see a “Download” button on the website, it means you do not have access to the closed beta yet. You can keep watching Valorant streams that are eligible for drops and hope for another chance. Riot Games has not announced an end date for the closed beta, so there is still time to get in.
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What are the system requirements for Valorant?
Valorant is designed to run on a wide range of PC hardware, from low-end to high-end systems. However, you still need to meet some minimum and recommended system requirements to play Valorant smoothly and enjoyably. Here are the system requirements for Valorant:
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Minimum system requirements
Operating System | Processor | Memory | Graphics Card | Disk Space |
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Windows 7/8/10 64-bit | Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or AMD Phenom II X2 550 | 4 GB RAM | Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon HD 6450 | 12 GB available space |
The minimum system requirements are the bare minimum you need to run Valorant at 30 frames per second (FPS) on low graphics settings at 720p resolution.
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Recommended system requirements
Operating System | Processor | Memory | Graphics Card | Disk Space |
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Windows 7/8/10 64-bit | Intel Core i3-4150 or AMD FX-6300 | 4 GB RAM | Nvidia GeForce GT 730 or AMD Radeon R7 260X | 12 GB available space |
The recommended system requirements are what you need to run Valorant at 60 FPS on medium graphics settings at 1080p resolution.
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What are some tips and tricks for playing Valorant?
If you have managed to get into Valorant’s closed beta, congratulations! You are one of the lucky few who can experience the game before its official launch. However, playing Valorant can be challenging and frustrating, especially if you are new to the game or the genre. To help you improve your skills and enjoy the game more, here are some tips and tricks for playing Valorant:
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Know your agent
The first tip is to know your agent. Valorant has a diverse roster of agents, each with their own unique abilities and roles. Choosing an agent that suits your play style and role is crucial for your success and fun in the game. For example, if you like to be aggressive and get kills , you might want to choose a duelist agent, such as Jett, Phoenix, Reyna, or Yoru. If you like to create openings and disrupt the enemy team, you might want to choose an initiator agent, such as Breach, Sova, Skye, or KAY/O. If you like to manipulate the map and provide utility for your team, you might want to choose a controller agent, such as Brimstone, Omen, Viper, or Astra. If you like to defend and protect your team and objectives, you might want to choose a sentinel agent, such as Sage, Cypher, Killjoy, or Chamber.
Knowing your agent also means knowing their abilities and strengths. Each agent has four abilities: one signature ability that is free or recharges over time, two basic abilities that cost credits or charges, and one ultimate ability that charges up by getting kills or orbs. Each ability has a different function and effect, such as healing, stunning, smoking, teleporting, or killing. Knowing how and when to use your abilities can give you an edge over your enemies and help your team win rounds.
Some tips for using your abilities are:
- Don’t be afraid to use your abilities. Unlike other FPS games where your gun is your main weapon, Valorant requires you to use your abilities as well. Your abilities can help you gain information, control space, create opportunities, or finish off enemies. However, don’t use your abilities randomly or wastefully. Use them with a purpose and a plan.
- Don’t rely on your abilities too much. While your abilities are important, they are not everything. You still need to have good aim and movement to win gunfights and survive. Your abilities can complement your gunplay, but they cannot replace it. Also, don’t forget that your enemies have abilities too, and they can counter or negate yours.
- Communicate with your team about your abilities. Valorant is a team-based game that requires coordination and cooperation among teammates. Communicating with your team about your abilities can help you execute strategies, avoid friendly fire, and synergize with each other. For example, you can tell your team when you are going to smoke a site, stun an enemy, or use your ultimate.
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Don’t move and shoot
The second tip is to don’t move and shoot. Valorant has a mechanic called accuracy penalty that reduces your accuracy when you are moving and shooting at the same time. This means that your bullets will not go where you are aiming if you are moving and shooting at the same time. This mechanic is designed to reward players who have good crosshair placement and positioning over players who rely on spraying and praying.
To improve your accuracy and aim in Valorant, you need to stop or crouch before firing. Stopping or crouching will reduce or eliminate the accuracy penalty and make your bullets more accurate. However, stopping or crouching will also make you more vulnerable to enemy fire, so you need to be careful about when and where you do it.
Some tips for stopping or crouching before firing are:
- Use the shift key to walk instead of run. Walking will reduce your movement speed and noise, but also reduce the accuracy penalty. Walking will also allow you to stop faster than running.
- Use the counter-strafe technique to stop faster. Counter-strafing is a technique where you press the opposite direction key of your movement to cancel out your momentum and stop instantly. For example, if you are moving left with the A key, press the D key right before you shoot to stop on the spot.
- Use the crouch key to crouch instead of stand. Crouching will reduce your movement speed and height , but also eliminate the accuracy penalty. Crouching will also make your hitbox smaller and harder to hit.
- Don’t crouch too much or too often. Crouching can be useful in some situations, but it can also be detrimental in others. Crouching can make you predictable and easy to headshot by enemies who are aiming at your chest level. Crouching can also limit your mobility and make you slower to react or escape.
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Understand the economy
The third tip is to understand the economy. Valorant has a mechanic called economy that refers to the money system in the game. Money is used to buy weapons, abilities, armor, and defuse kits in each round. Money is earned by getting kills, planting or defusing the Spike, winning or losing rounds, and completing contracts or missions.
Understanding the economy is important for managing your money wisely and buying the right items at the right time. Buying the right items can give you an advantage over your enemies and help you win rounds. Buying the wrong items can put you at a disadvantage and waste your money.
Some tips for understanding the economy are:
- Check your team’s money and communicate with your team about what to buy. You can check your team’s money by pressing the Tab key and looking at the numbers below their names. You can communicate with your team by using the voice chat or the text chat. You can also use the buy menu to request or share items with your teammates.
- Buy as a team and follow the same strategy. Buying as a team means buying the same amount of items or saving the same amount of money as your teammates. Following the same strategy means buying items that suit your team’s plan for the round, such as attacking or defending a certain site, playing aggressively or passively, or using certain abilities or weapons.
- Know when to buy, save, or force. Buying means spending most or all of your money on items that you need or want for the round. Saving means spending little or no money on items and saving it for future rounds. Forcing means spending all of your money on items even if you cannot afford the best ones, usually in a desperate or risky situation.
- Buy according to your role and situation. Buying according to your role means buying items that match your agent’s role and abilities, such as buying a rifle for a duelist, a sniper for an initiator, a shotgun for a controller, or a SMG for a sentinel. Buying according to your situation means buying items that match the state of the game and the enemy team, such as buying a pistol for an eco round, an assault rifle for a full buy round, or a heavy shield for a clutch round.
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Conclusion
Valorant is an exciting and challenging game that offers a unique blend of tactical shooter and hero shooter gameplay. If you want to play Valorant before its official release, you need to get into its closed beta by following some specific steps and hoping for some luck. You also need to meet some minimum and recommended system requirements to play Valorant smoothly and enjoyably. Finally, you need to learn some tips and tricks to play Valorant better and have more fun.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to get into closed beta for Valorant, what are the system requirements for Valorant, and what are some tips and tricks for playing Valorant. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and good luck in Valorant!
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FAQs
- Q: How long is Valorant’s closed beta?
A: Riot Games has not announced an end date for Valorant’s closed beta yet, but it is expected to last until the summer of 2020, when Valorant is planned to launch officially. - Q: How do I know if I got a drop from Twitch?
A: You will receive an email from Riot Games with an invitation to Valorant’s closed beta if you got a drop from Twitch. You can also check your Twitch inventory or Valorant website to see if you have access to the closed beta. - Q: Can I change my region or transfer my account to another region?
A: No, you cannot change your region or transfer your account to another region in Valorant’s closed beta. Your region is determined by your Riot account and cannot be changed. If you want to play in another region, you need to create a new Riot account with that region. - Q: Will my progress and items carry over from the closed beta to the official launch?< A: Yes, your progress and items will carry over from the closed beta to the official launch, except for the Valorant Points (VP) that you buy with real money. You will receive a 20% bonus of VP when Valorant launches if you buy VP during the closed beta.
- Q: How can I improve my performance and FPS in Valorant?
A: You can improve your performance and FPS in Valorant by adjusting some settings in the game or your PC. Some of the settings that can affect your performance and FPS are graphics quality, resolution, frame rate limit, anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, material quality, texture quality, detail quality, UI quality, vignette, distortion, shadows, and v-sync. You can also close any unnecessary programs or background processes that might consume your CPU, RAM, or GPU resources.
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