Mastering Valorant: A Guide on How to Op for Optimal Performance
Curious about Valorant and how to master the Op? Look no further!
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Valorant, the basics of using an Op, how to obtain and effectively use it, as well as strategies for countering an Op.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your skills or a seasoned player wanting to up your game, we’ve got you covered.
Stay tuned to learn the best practices, tips, and techniques for dominating with the Op in Valorant.
Contents
Key Takeaways:
What is Valorant?
Valorant is a first-person shooter (FPS) video game that is a combination of hero shooters and CSGO-like tactics. It was developed and published by Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends. In Valorant, the objective is for the attacking side to plant a bomb called the Spike in order to destroy a target. The defenders need to prevent the Spike from exploding. Two teams of 5 players play multiple rounds and swap between the attacking and defensive sides.
What Are the Basics of Valorant?
The basics of Valorant include understanding the objective-based team competition and learning to play as part of a 5-player marketing team. Players must decide on their roles within the team and the basic strategy – whether the objective is to retrieve a spike in an attacking map or protect a spike in a defending one. Depending on their role, players need to make tactical decisions and use their agent’s skills to help the team.
What is an Op in Valorant?
An Op (Operator) is a heavy sniper rifle in Valorant which deals high damage and is known for getting one-shot kills. The primary features of the Operator are listed below.
- Damage Type: Heavy
- Head Damage: 255
- Body Damage: 150
- Leg Damage: 127
- Fire Rate (rounds per minute): 39 (0.625-round burst every 0.825 seconds)
- Magazine Capacity: 5 (25/0 with 5 rounds equipped)
- Wall Penetration: Heavy (approaches armor damage with increasing depth)
- Primary Fire Modes: 4.5x Scope as trigger (1.25x scope available for other fire modes)
- Price: 5000
- Country of Origin: South Africa
- Category: Snipers
Using The Operator in Valorant involves a variety of strategies based on numbers intelligent crosshair placement for recoil compensation, and the use of its scopes for long-range kills. Read our section How to use the Operator in Valorant? and other Valorant Geeks guides to learn how to best deploy the Operator item in Valorant to boost your performance and results.
How to Obtain an Op in Valorant?
There are a few different ways to obtain an Operator sniper rifle in Valorant. The simplest way is the one most players use and that is to scavenge an Op off the battlefield after a player has been killed and abandoned it. If an enemy kills a teammate or is killed and leaves their Operator behind when they die, any teammate can pick it up. This allows you to experiment with the powerful long-range weapon against your enemies.
The second way to obtain an Op in Valorant is to purchase it. Snagging an Operator during the Buy Phase at the start of every round in which you can save up the required amount of credits does not require you to have much more understanding than making killings. The third way is to get an Operator dropped in the middle of the round by someone on your team that bought it during the Buy Round. If someone on your team buys an Op, they can immediately drop it in their spawn area. Any teammate that wants to can snatch it so that the mid-round Operator can be used by an alternate player who might have been better suited for the weapon at the beginning of that round.
What Are the Different Ways to Obtain an Op?
There are four main ways to acquire an Op in Valorant (AWP in CS:GO): standard buying through a competitor, purchasing off the ground, picking up from an opponent, and purchasing from the armory. Sometimes this purchasing and sometimes not. The details are as follows:
- Buy from the armory: The standard way to pick up an Op is to purchase a brand new one for 5000 credits from the Armory.
- Buy from a competitor: The majority of the time, purchasing directly from the armory is used, but sometimes it is quicker to purchase a used rifle from a prior user.
- Pick up from the ground: Occasionally, a competitor has dropped an Op when they were eliminated that can be picked up. They are rare, however. According to Riot Games, the latest value for dropped guns is 4500 credits, which is almost-Op value, not 5000.
- Opponent killed with an Op: It is unlikely an enemy with an Op will drop when killed, as picking up their gun can be a huge advantage. But if an Op-armed competitor does happen to fall, take advantage of the situation!
How to Use the Op Effectively?
The Op is most effective in poke-and-prod arground scenarios where the operator is providing overwatch to allow teammates to safely move or work around sites and establish post-plant positions. They are also strong in this role post-plant given the short tight corners in many sites that allow the operator to only have a small portion of their body exposed and get picks against approaching defenders aggressing post-plant. If this pick cannot be secured and the round degenerates into a defender push against the remaining attacking team, the operator is able to fall back and defend against the remaining players, which is easier for this type of weapon relative to rifles.
The Op can play picks aggressively on a more aggressive attacking round to quickly change the state of the game if the attacking side falls too far behind. If the attacking side never had control of the defensive economy to begin with or is communicating well enough to know how the enemy team is spending their economy, the attacking side can bring several pistols and one operator to establish map control early in the round. This can be a method to prevent operator switching sides, as typically the attacking side will more likely see fewer other operators and can scavenge the enemy operator for their own Operator, or can prevent the too-quick retreat and save of a defending operator upon seeing an enemy push.
What Are Some Tips for Using the Op?
Some of the optimal default settings for the Op include equipping the Operator and quickly room clearing with a quick flick at longer ranges to see if an enemy is there before going for a kill. User theruler95 who cites having around a hundred hours of Op use suggests disadvantaged repositioning. This means moving in small bursts to listen for enemy positioning and try to outplay pre-aiming.
User JUJU affirms the importance of repositioning for an Operator in Valorant. According to them, players should constantly change their positions after getting a kill to tighten round angles as well as get an opportunity of tactical rotation if teammates need help. In the case of defending teams planting the spike, the same practice is relevant and allows the player to better hold off attacking teams in Zeus econ / half buys. In general, head shots are more critical in Valorant than either the pelvis or chest. So, always go for the head or chest first if possible.
Use your movement keys to flick then quickly stop when scoping in, as it will keep you accurate when shooting. Use the Edgepeeking method for holding angles. This can be done by standing at the very edge of a corner, thereby making minimal contact with the scoop. Your immediate exposure can be limited by peeking just enough to see an enemy before scoping out. You can then immediately shoot as a target reaches your area while moving, allowing you to clearly unscope after firing and remaining mobile during the slow bolt cycling. This is good when retreating from a location.
What Are Some Common Mistakes When Using the Op?
Common mistakes typically made with the Operator in Valorant update are using it recklessly such as firing while moving, choosing wrong holding angles, not managing proper rotation time, and pushing aggressively.
Firing and movement – Firing while moving seems to be a common fundamental mistake in Valorant, especially to novices. The Operator’s shots turn highly inaccurate if the user moves even slightly while scoping. Players need to quick-scope, scope the target in advance before they go for the actual shot, or repositioning themselves in advance, so that they can fire with perfect accuracy.
Angle Holding – Choosing the right angle to hold is crucial when sniping in Valorant to not be caught off guard or lose high ground. Players are advised to hold angles with maximum range and minimal exposure to cover in case they take an unexpected shot, which also needs to cover their backside.
Rotations – Knowing when to rotate is equally important because the Operator is lethally ineffective in a directly close-quarter combat situation. Players should actively learn when to rotate and which lanes to watch, so they can get good reads on enemy rotations.
Aggressive Pushes – Opting to snipe does not justify an aggressive play style. Players still need to run around the map while sniping and make use of equipment to ensure map control and secure their utility and post-plant situations. Slow the pace down and maintain map control.
Eco-Management – If the player continually dies with the Operator in their hands, it means they constantly feed the gun to the enemy team. They should consider to use SMGs or pistols if they are unable to perform with Operators.
How to Counter an Op in Valorant?
- Peek the Op by having multiple members rush all at once. The goal is for at least one member to take out the Op, if not for all of them to.
- Smoke out vision so teammates can get closer to the enemy Op and better navigate the terrain.
- March in an S pattern so that the enemy Op’s shot misses or is harder to land.
- Count the Op and know when to rotate. Use drones and airbots to know an enemy Op’s position without having to commit.
- Know the enemy Op’s limitations and know your maps. Learn the maps well and use them to your advantage.
What Are Some Strategies for Dealing with an Op?
Following are some strategies for dealing with an Op on the Valorant maps.
- Pre-Aim Common Spots: The most important strategy for dealing with an Operation is both pre-aiming obvious spots where the Operator player will be holding angles, as well as mixing up entries so you do not make predictable crosshair patterns.
- Flashing and Smoking AWP Lanes: As a player holding a site where a player with an Operator has been detected, try to bounce a flash or smoke around corners where the AWPer is holding to clear the angle
- Decoy Against an Operator: If an AWP player is controlling the map from a specific angle, use a decoy to fake sound in another direction or at another spot to pull an AWPer away from the angle.
What Agents Are Good for Countering an Op?
Agents that are effective for countering an op in Valorant include Brimstone to block the sniper’s line of sight or Smokes for an escape, Jett for quick escapes or flanks, Phoenix for damage with his orbs, and Viper for map control with her noxious cloud. Reyna, Sky, Sova, Omen, and Viper are every good with good escapes and/or with spreads like Sova’s ult which can scout the sniper’s location.
How to Improve Your Op Skills in Valorant?
You can improve your Op Skills in Valorant with practice, crosshair placement, map knowledge, and game sense. Practice your aiming with Vandal and Phantom if you are particularly weak at hitting opponents. This textbook brings you to the top of aim from a light grip and crosshair placement.
To practice quickscope timing and movements, pick up an Operator when practicing in Deathmatch. When peaking, always have your crosshair near where you expect the enemy to be, using dashes and jump movements to move the scope outward and return the crosshair. Work on paring down the expected enemy locations to the specific pick and angle around the area.
Frequent the gaming rooms and dedicate at least half of your gaming space to smaller maps. Exercise your in-game sound to help you recognize enemy locations and perform well with an Operator. Greater use of flash-and-peek, using teammates to attract opponents’ attention then revealing yourself, and maneuvering quickly from an unsuccessful pick are a few aspects of game sense that can be specifically strengthened.
What Are Some Practice Techniques for Using the Op?
Some practice techniques for using the Op in Valorant include heads-up mode, target prioritization, weapon switch drills, practice flick aiming, pre-aim maps, and team strike.
Heads-up mode:
Play with other snipers and practice attacking and defending against each other. This helps improve your Op v Op buy).
Target prioritization speaks to the need for practice throughout your Op journey.
Choose your targets wisely, as each one will build muscle memory based on the process of successfully flicking over, taking aim, and hitting a shot. Often, this takes time.
Pre-aim maps:
Any good shooter sees the shot before taking it. Strategize on the route to plant the spike, with the world around you and including potential enemies in that strategy.
Charles ‘Tua’ Corona: It’s never too late in the round to decide to save – Once your progress onto a site is slowed or fully halted, just take a second before you commit. Decide if you want to press forward or pack it up and look to save weapons back at spawn (Becker).
What Are Some Common Op Scenarios to Practice?
- Defending mid on Split: This allows you to switch between mid and sniping A quickly.
- Simulated A lockdown on Icebox: This trains Opers on rapid responsiveness and turnarounds with an element of danger mixed in.
- Playing B with the support of the rifler: This trains Opers for focus as well as maintaining sufficient map awareness to stay safe while holding a more open angle.
- Instant A rush at 5: This is an easier exercise that helps with quick flicks which are almost always necessary as an oper.
- Defending A long on Haven: This can train Opers in long angles until rotate is absolutely necessary.
- Playing A retake on Bind: For players that need more work on retaking and playing a disadvantaged map.
- Operating on Dallas, Not playing Well: For when you want to work with a rifler more.
What Are the Best Maps for Using an Op in Valorant?
The best maps for using an Op in Valorant are Bind and Split. Bind is seen as the ultimate map where Operator ops can take over ownership of a site. Dust 2 from Counter-Strike comes to mind – and Op-carrying agents are heavily favored for attacking as these maps often only have mid passage breaking points as the frontline. Raze and Jett are even more crucial on these maps to make aggressive purchasing plays.
