Gab Hernandez 
Valorant ranks among the most accessible competitive FPS games, especially if a beginner chooses the best agent for their skill level.
In a sea of competitive shooters, Valorant stands out for being easy to pick up yet hard to master. Riot has made Valorant a leading tactical shooter in the industry, and each update only cements that status. With rising popularity, and increasing accessibility, also comes a wave of new players for the game.
Valorant currently features dozens of agents with different strengths and niche roles in a team comp. Players may feel overwhelmed, but the community has found specific agents fit well with newbies more than others. Before spending money in Valorant on some shiny new Agent, it’s essential to learn the ropes.
Who is the best beginner agent in Valorant?
Phoenix is the best agent overall for learning the fundamentals of Valorant.
While novices can theoretically learn with any Agent, Phoenix covers Valorant basics perfectly. With three projectiles, a teleport, and a passive heal, Phoenix offers decent damage, reliable “flashbang” effects, and solid survivability. All these skills in tandem mean players can safely make mistakes and have more opportunities to learn from them.
Alongside this, Phoenix is free and doesn’t require players to practice extensively. Characters like Sova, Omen, and Brimstone are stronger in the right hands, but these require players to learn lineups for their abilities to help their team execute plays.
Here’s a rundown of Phoenix’s skills:
Hot Hands
Throws (or lobs with alt-fire) a fireball that explodes after a delay or once it hits a solid surface. Flames will linger on the impact site for a short time.
Hot Hands is Phoenix’s bread-and-butter damage dealer, which excels in extended team fights thanks to its lingering flames. Hot Hands is great for learning how to target with skills, not just guns, and lobbing it over walls can make for some surprising ambush plays.
Blaze
Ignites a line of flames that moves forward. The wall of fire also blocks vision and deals moderate damage.
Blaze is decent for funneling enemies towards traps and corridors, making them easy pickings for the friendly team. Players can also bend it in different directions for even more versatile placement.
That said, do not rely on it for damage. It’s more of a deterrent than an explosive way to finish enemies. Place Blazes in known escape points like alleyways and hidden corridors to discourage enemies from running away. Learning how to use Blaze means understanding how positioning leads to victory.
Heating Up (Passive)
Gradually heals Phoenix while he stands within his flames (up to 50 HP).
After an intense firefight, find a safe corner and use Hot Hands or Blaze for moderate healing. However, do not throw down these flames while in a team fight, as it’s more likely to result in a wipeout. This ability to self-heal is rare in Valorant for a DPS, and is what makes Phoenix the best beginner agent in the game.
Curveball
Fires a curving orb that detonates after a short delay. Upon detonation, the explosion blinds any player in its vicinity.
CS2 players will love this skill, as their flashbang experience translates perfectly. This skill is particularly good for ambushes and checking around corners. It also teaches the player about map awareness, with key locations in the map being great places to throw curveballs.
However, the flash will also affect teammates, so throw it somewhere out of friendly sight. Communication is key, and one wrong curveball may end up doing more harm than good.
Run It Back (Ultimate)
Instantly places a marker on the player’s current location. Once the marker’s ten-second timer runs out or the player dies, they will return to the marker, fully healed, plus the amount of armor they had upon casting the skill.
Run It Back is a safety net for hot-headed newbies rushing into fights. It allows for a safe retreat while letting the player deal damage beforehand. Players should use Run It Back generously since it has no consequences for as long as it’s active.
Don’t get too cocky, though. Clever enemies will know that a marker won’t be too far behind and may flank the Phoenix’s respawn location. Run It Back could also reveal the Phoenix’s team prematurely, ruining any chance of an ambush. Either way, Phoenix must cause as much damage and chaos within enemy lines before teleporting back.
