20 Gamesense Tips For Valorant

Summary

Zapper, an Immortal-ranked Valorant player, shares a wealth of game sense tips in this video, covering a wide range of strategies for both attackers and defenders. From using initiator utility during eco rounds to understanding how to counter enemy OPs, managing your team’s economy, and playing around utility, Zapper provides actionable advice to help players at all levels improve their gameplay. The video emphasizes the importance of adaptability, smart decision-making, and team play, all while staying aware of enemy movements and using proper timing to maximize impact in every round.

Takeaways

• 😀 Use initiator utility early in eco rounds to spot enemies and avoid shotguns or stacked sites.
• 😀 Rotate sites when the enemy team is stacked — hitting a site with zero defenders is better than five.
• 😀 Always check the scoreboard between rounds to identify enemy utility, especially for OPs or ultimates.
• 😀 Counter OPs by avoiding them or overwhelming them during retakes with utility and coordination.
• 😀 Off angles are powerful if you position yourself unpredictably and use utility to prevent counters.
• 😀 On post-plant, wait 3.5-7 seconds before peeking to catch defenders pulling their gun out after a tap.
• 😀 Lurkers need to be unpredictable, but if your team is in danger, join them quickly to avoid losing the round.
• 😀 Playing retake with your team is often stronger than holding solo on defense, especially if you have strong retake utility.
• 😀 When you're on fire, take aggressive plays to carry the round, but on bad days, focus on smart decision-making and utility usage.
• 😀 Focus on teamwork rather than going for individual kills, especially once the spike is down and time pressure is on.

Q & A

Why is it important to use initiator utility on eco rounds?

Using initiator utility on eco rounds helps you spot enemy locations without dry peeking, as players on an eco are more likely to stack sites or buy shotguns. This allows you to make a more informed decision before committing to a site.

When should you rotate if the enemy team is stacked on a site?

If you know the enemy team is stacked on a site, it's often better to rotate. Hitting a site with five defenders is risky, so rotating to a site with no defenders gives you a better chance of success.

How can checking the scoreboard help you in a round?

Checking the scoreboard helps you assess the enemy’s economy and ultimates. For example, if the enemy has an operator (op), you may need to adjust your strategy by peeking differently or using utility to force the op off its angle.

What should you do if you know the enemy has an op?

If the enemy has an op, avoid common angles they might be holding, or use overwhelming utility during a retake. Ops are weaker on retake, so using utility to get the bomb down can help you deal with the op more effectively.

What makes off-angles so strong in Valorant?

Off-angles are powerful because they catch enemies off guard, especially with good crosshair placement. However, they can be countered by utility, so make sure to mix up your off-angle timings to remain unpredictable.

Why is it beneficial to wait 3.5 seconds before peeking after a spike tap?

Waiting 3.5 seconds after a spike tap can catch the enemy while they are pulling out their gun. It’s a great window to punish their momentary vulnerability, and it keeps pressure on the enemy as they have to decide quickly whether to diffuse or fight.

What should you do if you suspect the enemy is flanking late in a round?

If the round timer is low and you haven’t spotted the enemy in usual locations, they are likely flanking. Use your superhuman senses to predict their movement and either pre-emptively defend the flank or call attention to it for your team.

When is it better to play retake rather than holding a site on defense?

If you’re holding a site solo on defense and don’t have the necessary utility or positioning to hold, it’s often better to fall back and play retake with your team. A 5v5 retake is stronger than a 5v4 situation with you dead.

How can you handle playing poorly on certain days in Valorant?

On days when you're playing poorly, adjust your approach. Instead of focusing on winning duels, prioritize maximizing your utility value, supporting your team, and playing smarter to contribute in other ways.

Why is it important to adjust your playstyle based on your team's economy?

Matching your buy with your team's economy is crucial for success. If your team is saving, you should save too, rather than forcing a buy. Misaligned economy can result in giving away rounds due to lack of proper weapons and utility.