Valorant is a popular first-person shooter game that has taken the gaming world by storm. With a variety of game modes, including Escalation, Unrated, and Ranked, players can explore other game modes to enhance their gaming experience. This article will delve into the different aspects of the game, providing tips and strategies to help you improve your skills.
Riot Games’ team-based first-person shooter, VALORANT, is thriving as millions of players on PC and consoles compete monthly. With new virtual battlefields and Agents, the game continues to evolve. At the heart of the experience is the diverse lineup of VALORANT game modes, offering something for everyone, no matter their time constraints or how competitive they may be.
Take a seat and strap in, Agents, as we explain every game mode in VALORANT, from free-for-all Deathmatch to the pinnacle Premier mode and even unique, limited-time game modes.
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All VALORANT Game Modes
Unrated
In the Unrated game mode, you’ll participate in 5v5 VALORANT action with its standard Plant/Defuse rules on standard maps. Each team plays 12 rounds on the Defense and 12 on the Attack, swapping sides halfway through the best-of-25 rounds match. The first team to score 13 rounds wins the match. If teams are tied 12-12, they’ll play an all-or-nothing Endgame round to determine the winner.
The attacking team must plant the Spike on one of the multiple Spike sites, while the defending team must either stop the attacking team from planting the Spike or defuse it after a plant. Unrated is played on Plant/Defuse maps, and players have access to the in-game shop to purchase equipment, weapons, and abilities each round. You can earn XP and complete missions in Unrated, but you do not earn Rank. An Unrated game lasts roughly 35 to 40 minutes.
**Pro tip:**We recommend using Unrated as the game mode where you practice for Competitive. Use our top tips for mastering VALORANT to hone your skills, map knowledge, Agent abilities, and management of the in-game economy.
Competitive
The ranked mode in VALORANT is nearly identical to Unrated. The first difference is that the match goes into Overtime when teams tie 12-12. In Overtime, the first team to get a two-round lead wins the map. Players can also vote every two rounds to decide if Overtime should continue, which means the match can end in a draw if enough players vote to stop the Overtime process. Competitive is played on the Plant/Defuse maps.
The other difference is that you will earn or lose Rank Rating (RR) after each match. In ranked mode, you can climb the VALORANT ranks, from Iron to Immortal, and maybe even Radiant if you are one of the best players in your region. On average, a competitive match lasts longer than Unrated due to the potential for Overtime.
**Pro tip:**With RR on the line, we suggest a slower and more systematic approach to Competitive matches. Listen to your team and help wherever you can, using utility and joining for Spike plants or site defenses. If your team loses, you lose RR and could drop in Ranking.
Swiftplay
Swiftplay features the same 5v5 Plant/Defuse rules and maps as Unrated. The difference is simple: instead of best-of-25 rounds, Swift Play Mode is a faster-paced version with a best-of-nine structure, where teams switch sides after the first four rounds. It’s a short burst of VALORANT, with matches lasting between 12 and 15 minutes.
**Pro tip:**Get your daily VALORANT fix by enjoying a Swiftplay match, keeping your skills sharp, or completing a quick mission even when you have just 20 minutes of playtime.
Spike Rush
In this unique and thrilling game mode, the victor is the first team to win four rounds. Power up orbs are scattered throughout the map and provide various boosts to players, such as increased speed or health recovery, which are crucial for enhancing gameplay dynamics and overall match success. Spike Rush is a best-of-seven 5v5 affair where you start with a random weapon. Players must work together to pick up orbs for special buffs on their team members or to debuff enemies. Agent abilities are available from the start of each round, except for Ultimates. Spike Rush matches typically last between 10 and 12 minutes.
Deathmatch
One of the most casual and no-nonsense game modes in VALORANT is Deathmatch. The format is a 12-player free-for-all, which means it’s you against the 11 other players! There are no Agent abilities to utilize, and you respawn after each death. Players can pick their favorite weapon and go wild. The match ends when someone reaches 40 kills or nine minutes have passed.
Pro tip: Deathmatch is the perfect place to hone your VALORANT aiming skills, especially when testing the best DPI and sensitivity settings.
Team Deathmatch
In Team Deathmatch, two teams of five players compete to see who gets the most kills. The enemy team must be strategically outplayed through effective teamwork and tactics to secure victory. The winner is the first to reach 100 kills or the team with the most kills when the match time is up (nine minutes, 30 seconds). Players can pick loadouts with weapons and Agent abilities to decimate their enemies. In the smaller Team Deathmatch maps (District, Kasbah, Piazza, and Drift), there are Weapon Spawn Points where you can pick another loadout, Recovery Orbs, and Ultimate Orbs.
**Pro tip:**Link up with some friends for Team Deathmatch. It’s a low-stakes mode where you can learn to work as a squad before jumping into Competitive or Premier.
Escalation
Escalation is VALORANT’s take on a “gun game” but in a 5v5 team format. Teams work through 12 Escalation levels by killing enemies. Each level features a specific weapon that all players must use and earn kills with. In Escalation mode, understanding each Agent’s ultimate ability is crucial as it can significantly impact your team’s progress. You must get one kill with each weapon to advance to the next, even if your team has earned enough kills. A typical Escalation match lasts between seven and nine minutes.
**Pro tip:**Escalation is the perfect VALORANT game mode when you want to mess around and relax. Wind down after tough Competitive matches with a bit of Escalation fun!
Premier
VALORANT’s Premier mode requires you to form a team (five to seven players) and register for your zone. Your team will be placed in a division, and you’ll compete against others from the same zone/division. Premier is the top competitive mode in VALORANT, created to mimic a tournament structure.
Tournaments run for roughly one month. Teams can queue up and compete in two matches per week. A new competitive map is featured each week. The goal is to earn enough Premier Score points per week by winning your matches to qualify for the Playoffs stage. Premier features the same in-game rules as Competitive, with best-of-25 games and the possibility of Overtime.
Pro tip: Gather a group of friends who can all communicate via voice chat and plan out tactics for attacking and defending on each map. Premier is the pinnacle of VALORANT game modes and the perfect practice ground for teams who want to start competing in esports tournaments.
Special VALORANT Game Modes
Some VALORANT game modes are only available for a set period. You can find our descriptions of these unique, limited-time VALORANT game modes below.
Snowball Fight
Snowball Fight is a unique twist on the 5v5 Team Deathmatch setup, where the first team to score 50 kills wins the match. Each action taken per round significantly impacts the gameplay mechanics and objectives, influencing player strategies and outcomes. The caveat is that all players can only use the Snowball Launcher as a weapon. Players can pick up “gifts” to earn power-ups, such as increasing the snowball’s size, the Snowball Launcher’s firing rate, or your character’s movement speed and jumping capabilities. VALORANT’s Snowball Fight matches last between 5 and 7 minutes.
As of this writing (March 2025), Snowball Fight is unavailable, and we’re crushed we didn’t see it become available last December.
Replication
Replication was a Plant/Defuse game mode featuring best-of-nine matches. The mode’s twist was that players would all play with the same Agent. Everyone in a match would vote for an Agent, and then the game would select one of the Agents players voted for. Riot removed Replication with patch v7.0 on June 27, 2023, and there’s no indication whether the game mode will ever return.
New Map
Riot Games periodically releases new VALORANT maps. When a new map appears, a game mode specific to the new map becomes available. It allows players to queue for only the new map. We recommend learning every nook and cranny, because that’s precisely what the “new map” mode is for! Studying its callouts, angles, utility placement, and Spike Site breaching tactics can make a world of difference when you play it in Competitive or even Premier.
As of Patch 10.4, released in March, 2025 we’ve seen two new maps making a return: Ascent and Icebox being reintroduced into competitive mode, while Breeze and Bind have been removed.
Pro tip: If you want to practice a specific map, you can always create a custom game and invite your friends, selecting the virtual battlefield of your choosing alongside your preferred game mode.
Custom and Practice Game Modes
Custom Game
Custom Games in VALORANT offer a unique opportunity for players to create a personalized game experience with friends. Whether you want to practice specific strategies or simply enjoy a relaxed match, Custom Games have you covered. Players can invite specific friends to the lobby and configure various settings, including the desired game mode and map. The party leader can also enable custom game options, such as adjusting the number of rounds or tweaking the economy system. This flexibility makes Custom Games an excellent way to practice different game modes and refine your skills in a stress-free environment.
Practice Game Modes
Practice Game Modes in VALORANT are designed to help players hone their skills in a controlled setting. Located in the Range, these modes offer a variety of options to practice specific aspects of the game, such as shooting accuracy, movement, and spike planting. The Range features a shooting range, a movement course, and a dedicated area for practicing spike plants and defuses. These practice game modes are invaluable for players looking to improve their shooting skills and prepare for competitive matches. By dedicating time to these practice modes, you can elevate your gameplay and gain a competitive edge.
Game Mode Variations
VALORANT offers a diverse array of game mode variations to cater to different play styles and preferences. From the intense competition of Unrated and Ranked modes to the more relaxed and casual experiences of Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, there’s something for everyone. Special game modes like Spike Rush and Escalation provide unique twists on traditional gameplay, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. With new game modes being added regularly, players can always look forward to something new and engaging.
In addition to the standard game modes, VALORANT also offers custom game options that allow players to create their own unique game modes. This feature enables players to experiment with different settings and rules, crafting a personalized game experience that suits their preferences. Whether you’re a competitive player aiming to climb the ranks or a casual gamer looking for some fun, VALORANT’s game mode variations have something to offer.
Overall, VALORANT’s game modes are designed to provide a fun and engaging experience for players of all skill levels. With a range of competitive and casual modes, as well as custom game options, players can always find a game mode that suits their play style and preferences.
What Does The Future Hold For VALORANT?
While we can’t predict the future—our crystal ball only tells us so much!—we will absolutely update our readers whenever a new game mode appears in VALORANT. Having said that, Riot’s current focus has been on updating the map pool and improving existing game modes rather than introducing entirely new ones.
In the meantime, you can always visit our VALORANT betting page where you can place bets on the latest esports action. We offer highly competitive odds on every major VALORANT tournament and match, including the always-thrilling VCT events.
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