Valorant Agent Unlock Guide: How to Get Your Favorite Agents Fast!
Valorant, Riot Games’ popular tactical first-person shooter, boasts a diverse roster of Agents, each with unique abilities that can significantly impact gameplay. When you first dive into Valorant, you’ll start with a selection of basic agents. However, to truly master the game and tailor your playstyle, you’ll want to unlock more Agents. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods to unlock Agents in Valorant, providing detailed steps and tips to help you acquire your favorites as quickly as possible.
## Understanding Agent Contracts
The primary system for unlocking Agents in Valorant is through **Agent Contracts**. Each Agent has a dedicated contract comprising ten tiers, with the Agent itself being unlocked at Tier 5. Progressing through these tiers requires earning **Agent Contract XP**. Think of Agent Contracts as mini-battle passes specifically tailored to each Agent.
## Methods to Earn Agent Contract XP:
There are several ways to earn XP towards your Agent Contracts:
* **Playing Matches:** This is the most fundamental way to earn XP. You gain XP for every match you play, regardless of whether you win or lose. Winning matches generally provide more XP than losing.
* **Completing Daily Missions:** Valorant offers daily missions that provide a significant chunk of XP. These missions are usually straightforward, such as getting a certain number of kills, using specific abilities, or playing in a particular game mode. Prioritize completing these daily missions, as they are a reliable source of XP.
* **Completing Weekly Missions:** Similar to daily missions, Valorant also features weekly missions. These missions are generally more challenging and require more playtime, but they also offer a substantially larger XP reward. Completing weekly missions is crucial for accelerating your Agent Contract progression.
* **Account Level XP:** Each level you gain in your account also awards XP towards your active Agent Contracts. Playing the game actively will help you level up faster, providing a consistent boost to your Agent Contract progress.
* **Purchasing Tiers with Valorant Points (VP):** If you’re looking for the fastest way to unlock an Agent, you can purchase tiers in their contract using Valorant Points (VP), which are bought with real money. While this option is available, it’s generally not recommended unless you’re extremely impatient or have a surplus of VP. Grinding through the contracts is a more cost-effective method.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Activating and Completing Agent Contracts:
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to activate Agent Contracts and maximize your XP gains:
1. **Navigate to the ‘Collection’ Tab:** From the main Valorant menu, click on the ‘Collection’ tab located at the top of the screen.
2. **Select the ‘Agents’ Sub-tab:** Within the ‘Collection’ tab, find and click on the ‘Agents’ sub-tab. This will display the full roster of Valorant Agents.
3. **Choose the Agent You Want to Unlock:** Browse through the Agent list and select the Agent you wish to unlock. Agents you haven’t unlocked will be clearly marked.
4. **Activate the Agent’s Contract:** Once you’ve selected an Agent, you’ll see a button labeled ‘Activate Contract’. Click this button to start earning progress towards unlocking the Agent. You can only have one Agent Contract active at a time, so choose wisely.
5. **Prioritize Daily and Weekly Missions:** As mentioned earlier, daily and weekly missions are essential for maximizing your XP gains. Check your mission log regularly and focus on completing these objectives.
6. **Play Regularly:** Consistent playtime is key to progressing through Agent Contracts. Even if you can’t complete all the missions, simply playing matches will steadily earn you XP.
7. **Consider Purchasing the Battle Pass:** While not directly related to Agent Contracts, the Valorant Battle Pass offers additional XP bonuses that can indirectly help you progress through your contracts faster. Consider purchasing the Battle Pass if you play Valorant frequently and want to maximize your XP gains.
8. **Optimize Your Gameplay:** Focus on playing well and contributing to your team’s success. Winning matches will earn you more XP, so try to improve your skills and teamwork.
## Detailed Breakdown of Earning XP:
To illustrate how XP translates into Agent Contract progress, let’s look at some approximate values (these values can be subject to change with game updates):
* **Daily Missions:** A typical daily mission might award around 2,000 – 4,000 XP.
* **Weekly Missions:** Weekly missions can award anywhere from 8,000 to 15,000 XP or even more, depending on their difficulty.
* **Match XP:** The amount of XP earned per match varies depending on the game mode, match length, and your performance. Generally, you can expect to earn around 1000-2000 XP for a standard unrated or competitive match.
* **Account Level:** Each account level grants approximately 1,000 – 2,000 XP split across your active agent contracts and the current battlepass.
Each tier in an Agent Contract requires a certain amount of XP to complete. The initial tiers require less XP, and the amount increases as you progress. By focusing on daily and weekly missions, you can significantly accelerate your progress and unlock your desired Agent much faster.
## Kingdom Credits: The Newest Way to Unlock Agents (and More!)
With the introduction of significant updates to Valorant, a new currency called **Kingdom Credits** has been added. This currency offers an additional avenue to unlock Agents (as well as other cosmetic items).
**How to Earn Kingdom Credits:**
* Kingdom Credits are earned simply by playing Valorant. You receive them for playing any game mode, including Unrated, Competitive, Spike Rush, and even Team Deathmatch.
* The amount of Kingdom Credits earned per match is relatively small but accumulates over time.
* Daily bonuses can increase the rate at which you earn Kingdom Credits.
**How to Use Kingdom Credits to Unlock Agents:**
1. **Navigate to the Agent Store:** In the Valorant client, go to the ‘Store’ tab.
2. **Look for the Agent Section:** Within the store, you should find a section dedicated to Agents, sometimes labeled as ‘Agent Gear’ or similar.
3. **Select the Agent You Want to Unlock:** Choose the Agent you want to unlock using Kingdom Credits.
4. **Purchase the Agent:** If you have enough Kingdom Credits, you can purchase the Agent directly. The cost varies between Agents but is generally a considerable amount, requiring consistent playtime to accumulate enough credits.
**Why Kingdom Credits are Important:**
* **Free-to-Play Friendly:** Kingdom Credits provide a free and accessible way to unlock Agents for players who prefer not to spend real money.
* **Alternative to Grinding Agent Contracts:** While Agent Contracts remain a viable option, Kingdom Credits offer an alternative method, allowing players to focus on playing the game and earning credits passively.
* **Unlock Other Items:** Kingdom Credits aren’t limited to just Agents. They can also be used to unlock items from previous Battle Passes, such as weapon skins and player cards, further adding to their value.
## Agent Recruitment Events:
Valorant periodically introduces **Agent Recruitment Events**, which provide a faster way to unlock new Agents upon their release. During these events, players can earn significantly increased XP towards the new Agent’s contract or unlock the Agent through challenges.
**How Agent Recruitment Events Work:**
* **Limited Time:** These events are typically time-limited, lasting for a few weeks after a new Agent’s launch.
* **Increased XP:** Agent Contracts for the new Agent during the event period usually grant more XP than usual, speeding up the unlocking process.
* **Challenges:** Special challenges are often introduced during these events, offering large XP rewards upon completion. These challenges might involve playing matches with specific Agents or using certain abilities a certain number of times.
**Taking Advantage of Recruitment Events:**
* **Prioritize Playing the New Agent:** If you’re interested in unlocking the new Agent quickly, focus on playing them during the recruitment event.
* **Complete the Challenges:** Pay close attention to the event challenges and prioritize completing them to maximize your XP gains.
* **Check for Additional Bonuses:** Sometimes, Riot Games will offer additional bonuses during recruitment events, such as double XP weekends or special promotions.
## Tips and Tricks for Faster Agent Unlocks:
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you unlock Agents even faster:
* **Party Up with Friends:** Playing in a party with friends grants an XP bonus. This bonus can be significant, especially if you consistently play with the same group of people.
* **Optimize Your Daily and Weekly Mission Completion:** Plan your gameplay around completing your daily and weekly missions efficiently. Focus on missions that align with your preferred playstyle or Agents.
* **Use XP Boosts (If Available):** Sometimes, Riot Games offers XP boosts as rewards for completing certain tasks or as part of promotional events. Take advantage of these boosts whenever possible.
* **Don’t Forget About Kingdom Credits:** Even if you’re actively grinding Agent Contracts, don’t neglect Kingdom Credits. They provide a supplementary way to unlock Agents or other valuable items.
* **Stay Informed:** Keep an eye on Valorant news and updates. Riot Games often announces new events, promotions, and changes to the Agent unlocking system. Staying informed will help you take advantage of any opportunities to unlock Agents faster.
* **Play Diverse Game Modes:** While Unrated and Competitive are the standard modes, don’t shy away from Spike Rush or Team Deathmatch. These modes can be faster and easier to complete daily missions in, thus awarding you with quicker experience. Plus, the matches are shorter.
## Choosing the Right Agent to Unlock First:
With so many Agents to choose from, deciding which one to unlock first can be daunting. Here are some factors to consider:
* **Your Playstyle:** Consider your preferred playstyle and choose an Agent that aligns with it. Do you prefer to be aggressive and push the enemy team, or do you prefer to play defensively and support your teammates? Different Agents cater to different playstyles.
* **Team Composition:** Think about the Agents that your team already has and choose an Agent that complements their abilities. A balanced team composition is crucial for success in Valorant.
* **Agent Difficulty:** Some Agents are easier to learn and play than others. If you’re new to Valorant, consider starting with a simpler Agent before moving on to more complex ones.
* **Personal Preference:** Ultimately, the best Agent to unlock first is the one that you’re most excited to play. Choose an Agent that you find fun and engaging, and you’ll be more motivated to learn their abilities and master their gameplay.
## Conclusion:
Unlocking Agents in Valorant is a rewarding process that allows you to expand your strategic options and tailor your gameplay to your preferences. By understanding the Agent Contract system, earning XP efficiently, and taking advantage of events and promotions, you can unlock your favorite Agents in no time. Remember to prioritize daily and weekly missions, play regularly, and consider using Kingdom Credits to supplement your progress. With a little patience and effort, you’ll be able to master the entire Valorant roster and dominate the competition! Now get out there, grind those contracts, and unlock your full potential!