Riot Games has debuted a new Valorant card feature with the game’s latest patch, opening up new opportunities for players to connect and discover like-minded potential teammates.
Riot has consistently made an effort to add varied bells and whistles to its tactical shooter since Valorant was released in 2020, and the game’s new card system is the latest example of that. The announcement has, however, left some players confused as to what the cards exactly do and how to create them to begin with.
What are Valorant cards?
Introduced with patch 12.11, Valorant cards allow players to display various stats, roles, and other personalization elements that show off the kind of player they are.
These cards are not meant for in-game use, and they don’t have any effect on a player’s in-game experience. Rather, they are created through the use of a dedicated card-creation tool hosted online by Riot. Once players opt into that creation, they can customize their card as they like.
That customization is already pretty broad. Players can show off their favorite or best agent, display their preferred in-game role, and highlight their best statistical achievements ranging from KDA to aiming percentages.
What do you do with Valorant cards?
The main purpose behind Valorant cards is to socialize with other players, whether that’s through showing off one’s design and achievements, or better connecting with players who might make for ideal teammates.
Developers at Riot Games are specifically pushing the idea of using these cards to link up with new players to play with. In addition to traditional stats, cards can also highlight a player’s preferred window of availability during the day, as well as which game modes they’re most interested in playing. Through these elements, players can essentially advertise themselves to other like-minded players.
Riot has also included a discovery tool through which registered players can look up the cards others have created, searching for teammates whose playing styles and availability compliment their own. This is where roles can come in handy, as someone who prefers to focus on raw aim and clutch prowess might like to play with a dedicated in-game leader who better emphasizes tactics and strategy.
The card feature is available to all players as of patch 12.11. To participate and create a Valorant card, players need only complete five matches. With those matches completed, players need only sign into the Valorant website and opt into the new card creation tool.
