• Levels from 1 to 10
  • 10 placement matches
  • Five-stacks only face five-stacks
  • Result and stats read from the official match data
  • Placement players only face each other
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Your agent

Pick up to three agents (the first is your main) or just a role. The guide filters itself for what you play.

Duelist

Initiator

Controller

Sentinel

Or only a role
Not sure what to play? Read how to choose

Part 1

How VALORANT works

The rules of the game: rounds, matches, agents, maps, modes, competitive and the numbers you need.

Before talking tactics you need to know exactly how the game works: what happens in a round, how a match is won, what the four roles do, how maps are built, which modes exist and how competitive works. Even long-time players will find details here they did not know, like the exact timings and economy numbers.

Chapters

  1. The round: attack, defense, spike

    Each round the attackers try to plant the spike and make it detonate while the defenders try to stop them: rounds are won by eliminating everyone, by detonating or defusing the spike, or when time runs out.

    1Recommended from level 1 Free5 min read

  2. A full match: 13 rounds, side swap, overtime

    The first team to 13 rounds wins; after 12 rounds the teams swap attack and defense; at 12-12 in competitive, overtime continues until one team is two rounds ahead.

    1Recommended from level 1 Free4 min read

  3. Agents and the four roles

    Every agent has four abilities and belongs to a role: duelist, initiator, controller or sentinel. A team works when the roles complement each other.

    1Recommended from level 1 Free4 min read

  4. Maps: sites, mid, chokes

    Every map has two or three sites, a central area (mid) and narrow passages (chokes): knowing how they connect is the basis of every decision.

    1Recommended from level 1 Free4 min read

  5. Game modes

    Standard mode (unrated and competitive) is the heart of the game; the other modes are for warming up, practicing something specific or playing with less pressure.

    1Recommended from level 1 Free4 min read

  6. Competitive and ClutchLeague: ranks, placements, levels

    In VALORANT competitive you climb by earning RR, which depend on wins and your hidden MMR; on ClutchLeague only your level from 1 to 10 counts, based on the matches you play on the platform.

    For everyone Free4 min read

  7. The numbers you need to know

    A few numbers drive many decisions: 100 seconds per round, 4 to plant, 45 on the spike, 7 to defuse, and the credits from wins, losses, kills and plants.

    1Recommended from level 1 Free4 min read

  8. What wins rounds

    Rounds are won by the team that fights with the advantage: more players in the same spot, more information, utility used together, time managed well. Aim decides duels, but choices decide which duels you take.

    For everyone Free4 min read

© 2026 ClutchLeague by Patrick Gharapetians. All rights reserved.

VAT IT01092690146info@clutchleague.gg

ClutchLeague is an independent project. It is not sponsored, approved or endorsed by Riot Games and does not speak for Riot Games or for anyone involved in creating or running Riot Games properties. VALORANT, Riot Games and all related names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Riot Games, Inc.