Valorant is a hugely popular game and it is estimated that there are more than 8 million players around the world.
It is extremely competitive and like many other esports games, it is also a very fast-paced game. Those who want to play casually may not spend too much time worrying about whether they can be the best. There are players who want to get to the very top of the game and be as good as they can. A lot of effort and skill is needed to get to this high level. People are constantly exploring the skills needed to be exceptional and even play competitively. There is inevitably some crossover with other games and the way they are played.
Reading Others – a Poker Trait
One of the most underrated skills in Valorant is the ability to read opponents. Success often hinges on predicting enemy behavior like whether they’ll push aggressively or rotate to another bomb site. It’s about picking up on subtle patterns and tendencies. Are they the type to fake a defuse or bait out utility? How do they react when pressured? This kind of analysis goes beyond just reacting.
This skill has a surprising crossover with poker. In both games, reading your opponent can turn the tide. In games of poker where bluffing is possible, there is always the chance of somebody trying to mislead. Good poker players (in variations like Texas Holdem) can study their rivals’ betting habits and even details like timing to make informed decisions.
Some people might have thought this reading element of poker would have disappeared when the world went online. The Poker Boom actually made the game bigger than ever – though it has reduced the importance of a so-called poker face. People playing online poker may still be able to incorporate strategy by looking at other players’ behaviors and how they approach the game – are they likely to bluff?
While Valorant isn’t a card game it is fair to say the psychological element is similar. Recognizing an opponent’s playstyle or bluffing tactics in poker can mirror predicting when an enemy team will execute a fake strategy or just work out how they are going to approach the game. It is possible players will need the ability to adapt quickly based on limited information.
Sharpening Aim – A Universal FPS Skill
This is a skill that we can compare to so many different games. Things like tracking moving targets and controlling recoil are non-negotiable for anyone aiming to climb the ranks. This skill has obvious crossovers with other first-person shooters like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Call of Duty.
The muscle memory required for great aim comes from hours of practice whether it’s in Valorant or a different FPS. Players who’ve spent time mastering aim in other shooters often find that their skills carry over seamlessly. Even battle royale games like Apex Legends or PUBG reinforce the importance of sharp aim. The contexts may differ and people may be faced with sniper duels versus fast-paced pistol rounds. But the fundamentals remain consistent.
Aiming in Valorant is an area loads of people look to improve through tutorials and through long practice sessions. It can make a big difference in any FPS or similar game.
Strategic Thinking – The Chess Connection
Valorant is as much a mental game as it is a mechanical one. Winning a match requires carefully crafted strategies like deciding how to execute a site push to planning defensive holds. Things like positioning and resource management (like when to use abilities) all factor into successful plays.
This kind of strategic thinking draws parallels to chess. Like a chessboard, Valorant maps demand players think several steps ahead. Burning an opponent’s utility early can create an advantage in later rounds. Baiting out an enemy’s key ability like Sage’s resurrection could be compared to forcing an opponent to trade a valuable chess piece. Every action has consequences and the ability to visualize those outcomes separates good players from great ones.
Players also need to be adaptable in both of these games. A recent patch changed some of the best agents in Valorant and meant that it was a different proposition for players. Adapting to the new strategy is part of the game.
Conclusion
To watch people play Valorant you might not instantly draw comparisons with games like poker or chess. It does not take much digging to start to understand some of the comparisons and the fact that there is a crossover with playing many other games. Building skills in one game can potentially assist a player to be better at another. Valorant is complex and has a lot of moving parts but there are skills anybody can work on to try to improve their play and even reach a pro level.
