How to Change Your Valorant Name: A Comprehensive Guide

Valorant, Riot Games’ popular tactical first-person shooter, has captivated millions of players worldwide. One aspect of the game that players often want to customize is their in-game name, also known as their Riot ID. Your Riot ID is how you’re identified not just in Valorant, but across all Riot Games titles like League of Legends, Legends of Runeterra, and Teamfight Tactics. Whether you’re looking for a fresh start, want to align your name with a new persona, or simply made a typo initially, changing your Valorant name is a straightforward process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps, address common questions, and provide important considerations to ensure a smooth name change experience.

Understanding Your Riot ID

Before diving into the how-to, let’s clarify what a Riot ID is and how it works. Your Riot ID is made up of two parts:

• Game Name: This is the main part of your name that appears in-game. It’s what other players see when they encounter you in matches.
• Tagline: This is the series of numbers or characters that follow a ‘#’ symbol after your Game Name (e.g., #NA1). The Tagline helps differentiate players with the same Game Name.

The combination of your Game Name and Tagline is unique to you. While you can change your Game Name relatively frequently, your Tagline is usually assigned automatically and isn’t meant to be something you modify directly. The Tagline typically corresponds to the server region where you created your account.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Valorant Name (Riot ID)

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to change your Valorant name. The process is identical across all Riot Games titles since it modifies your overarching Riot ID:

1. Access the Riot Account Management Website

   Your first step is to navigate to the official Riot Games account management website. You can do this by using your preferred web browser and going to https://account.riotgames.com/. Make sure you’re visiting the authentic Riot Games site to safeguard your account details.

2. Log In to Your Account

   Once on the Riot Account page, you’ll be prompted to log in. Enter the email address associated with your Riot Games account and the corresponding password. This is the same login information you use to launch Valorant. If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication (2FA), you’ll likely need to enter a verification code sent to your registered email or phone number.

3. Navigate to the Riot ID Settings

   After successfully logging in, you’ll be directed to your account dashboard. Look for the section related to your Riot ID. The location might vary slightly, but typically it’s located within your personal information or account overview section. Often, it’s labeled as “Riot ID” or “Riot Username.” Click on it to access the settings.

4. Edit Your Riot ID

   Clicking on the Riot ID section will usually present you with an “Edit” or “Change” button next to your current Riot ID. This is where you’ll make your changes. You will see your current Game Name and Tagline. The Tagline will not be editable, as mentioned before. Click on the field containing your Game Name. It will now become an editable text box.

5. Enter Your New Game Name

   Carefully type in your desired new Game Name. Keep in mind the following important rules and restrictions:

   • Character Limits: Your Game Name needs to be between 3 and 16 characters long.
   • Allowed Characters: You can use alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9). Special characters and symbols are typically not allowed, with some exceptions like spaces being permissible.
   • Profanity and Inappropriate Names: Avoid names that are offensive, sexually suggestive, hateful, or violate Riot Games’ terms of service. This can lead to account penalties and forced name changes.
   • Uniqueness: You can choose a name that is already in use by another player. Remember, it’s the Tagline that makes each Riot ID unique. So, if you pick a common name, you will have a different Tagline which will differentiate you from others with the same game name.

   Take your time and ensure you are happy with the name you choose. Once you’ve decided, proceed to the next step.

6. Confirm the Change

   After entering your new Game Name, there should be a “Save” or “Confirm” button. Click on it to finalize the name change. The website will usually present a confirmation screen or a brief loading period to process the change.

7. Verify the Change in Game

   To confirm that the name change has successfully taken effect, log out of Valorant and then log back in. If you are already in the game, you will need to restart it. Once logged in, your new Riot ID should be visible in the game’s menus, during matches, and on social panels.

Important Considerations and Limitations

Changing your Riot ID is generally easy, but here are crucial points to remember:

• Name Change Cooldown: There is a cooldown period between name changes. This means you can’t change your name every day. Riot Games usually imposes a 30-day cooldown. Once you change your Riot ID, you’ll need to wait 30 days before you can change it again. Therefore, be certain you are happy with your name before changing it.
• Impact on Friends Lists: Changing your Riot ID shouldn’t directly affect your friends lists in Valorant or other Riot games. However, it might take a short while for your new name to be reflected on your friends’ lists. In some cases, friends might need to restart their games to see your updated Riot ID.
• Impact on Third-Party Platforms: If you use third-party websites or applications that track your Valorant stats (e.g., tracker websites), there might be a temporary delay in their systems updating to your new name. This is usually resolved by the platform itself after a short while.
• Riot’s Terms of Service: Remember that you’re subject to Riot Games’ terms of service even when changing your name. Offensive or prohibited names can result in account restrictions or forced name changes without compensation for the cooldown period. Therefore, always stick with an appropriate name that fits within the rules.
• Server Region Tagline: As highlighted, the Tagline after your Game Name (e.g., #NA1) usually reflects your server region and you cannot change it. This is system generated and is linked to where your account was originally created. If you relocate to another region, you may want to consider transferring your account or creating a new one to play on servers closer to your location for better ping.
• Capitalization: The capitalization of your Game Name is not significant. The system treats “ExampleName” the same way as “examplename” or “EXAMPLEname.” When displaying your name to other users, the capitalization you input during the name change process will be shown; however it does not affect your uniqueness, meaning other players can still use a name with the same letters and a different capitalization.
• Name Change Failures: In rare cases, the name change process might fail to go through successfully. If you encounter issues, ensure that you’ve followed all the steps correctly, and your name is within the set parameters. If the problem persists, it’s best to contact Riot Games support for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions that players often have regarding Riot ID and name changes:

Q: How often can I change my Valorant name?

A: You can change your Valorant name (Riot ID) once every 30 days. There’s a cooldown period in place to prevent frequent name changes.

Q: Can I use special characters or symbols in my Riot ID?

A: Generally, special characters and symbols are not allowed, with some exceptions like spaces. Your Riot ID can include alphanumeric characters and spaces. Ensure you follow the character restrictions.

Q: Will changing my name remove me from my friends’ lists?

A: No, changing your name shouldn’t remove you from friends’ lists. However, it might take a short while for your new name to appear on their lists. They might have to restart their game to see the changes immediately.

Q: What happens if I choose an offensive or inappropriate name?

A: Riot Games reserves the right to force a name change if it violates their terms of service. This could result in a temporary or permanent restriction. Always choose appropriate names to stay within the community guidelines.

Q: Can I change my Tagline?

A: No, you cannot directly change your Tagline, which is the set of numbers or characters after the ‘#’ symbol in your Riot ID. Your Tagline is generally linked to your region and is system-generated when you initially create your account.

Q: What should I do if my name change doesn’t work?

A: Verify that you are following all the steps correctly and that your name adheres to the character restrictions. If you are facing persisting issues, then contact Riot Games support for help. They will be able to investigate your individual case.

Q: Is the name change process the same across all Riot Games?

A: Yes, the name change process is the same for all Riot Games titles as it modifies your overarching Riot ID. Therefore, if you change your Riot ID, that name change will be reflected in Valorant, League of Legends, Legends of Runeterra, and Teamfight Tactics.

Q: Can I use different capitalization?

A: Yes, capitalization is not a requirement. You can use different capitalizations. For example, “ExampleName”, “examplename” and “EXAMPLEname” are all the same for the system. However, when displayed to other players, the capitalization that you entered into the Riot ID changer will be the one that other players see.

Conclusion

Changing your Valorant name (Riot ID) is a simple process that can give your in-game persona a refresh. By following the steps detailed in this guide and taking into account the restrictions and limitations, you can successfully update your name. Remember to choose a name you’re happy with, as there is a 30-day cooldown between name changes. If you encounter issues, contacting Riot Games support is always a good idea. Enjoy the process and have fun with your new in-game identity!

This guide aims to be as comprehensive as possible, but the user interface of the Riot Games platform could change over time. If there are any discrepancies with these instructions, please refer to the official Riot Games support pages for the most up-to-date guidance. With that being said, the core process of changing your Riot ID should remain largely the same.

So go ahead and personalize your Riot ID to reflect your personality or maybe simply pick a new name as a fresh start, the process is yours to use for this. Always adhere to the rules and have fun!