Whether you are playing Unrated or Ranked mode, you must know these five tricks to defend in Valorant. Being an effective player from the Defending side requires effective use of skills, strategy, and most importantly, team coordination.
- Also Read: Valorant: Top Ability Combos
In the Spike Plant/Defuse mode, teams are divided into two groups: Attackers and Defenders. The Attackers can win a round by either planting and detonating the Spike or eliminating all Defenders. Meanwhile, the Defenders are tasked with eliminating the Attackers before they plant the Spike or defusing the Spike before it explodes.
Tricks To Defend In Valorant: Hold Them Back
Communication is key to winning in Valorant. You can open your Team Chat mic from the Audio Settings to relay information about the enemy movement to your allies. When your team is trying to defuse the Spike, you can inform them of the Agent abilities that you possess, especially when you can block the movement of the Attackers.
Listed below are the five tricks to defend in Valorant:-
1. Focus On Mid-Control
As the Defending side, controlling the middle of the Map is vital. It cuts off the enemies from trying any flanking movements or rotating from one Site to another in a less time-consuming manner. In the case of Lotus, which has three Spike planting regions, Defenders should prevent the Attackers from taking the B Site as it has the rotating door to the C Site. Moreover, the B Site opens more options for infiltration in the Defender side spawn (flank attacks).
2. Wait For The Attackers And Play Time
While starting at the Iron league, Defenders make the common mistake of rushing toward the enemies rather than waiting for them. This allows the Attackers to gain an early advantage. It is their role to plant the Spike after eliminating the Defenders guarding a Site, but the illogical rushes by Defenders leave the plant sites exposed.
Similarly, players should not commit to an attack until necessary. Play for time and disallow the enemy Attackers to get/plant the Spike by launching throwables or using other Skills. Remember, the Attackers only have 100 seconds to plant the Spike while the Defenders only have 45 seconds to defuse it.
3. Flank & Trap The Opponent
If your team thrives on aggression rather than defense, try flanking the enemy. Two or more players can take the long journey of launching an ambush from the sides or the back while enemies are focused on what is going on in front of them. Omen and Yoru are great agents for outmaneuvering Attackers as they can use their teleport or speed skills to catch enemies unaware.
The key aspect in successfully flanking opponents is choosing the right moment to execute it by coordinating with your team. Flanking works when your allies keep the enemies busy while you stealthily close into their position and give them a nasty surprise.
4. Create Different Angles After Taking Cover
Each Map in Valorant has places for hiding on the Defenders side that are obvious to the Attacking side. They are likely to target their crosshairs at those angles. To be a step ahead, Defenders should take new positions and create new firing angles to catch the Attackers off guard. Keep in mind to have objects for cover nearby that cannot be penetrated by bullets.
Sage is a great Agent for creating unique angles to eliminate opponents. When her Barrier Orb ability is used while pointing the ability at her feet, she stands on top of the wall. Apart from having a height advantage, she can create unusual angles to eliminate the Attackers.
- Also Read: Valorant: Best Sage Walls For Lotus Map
5. Choose Sentinel Agents In Valorant
The abilities of Sentinel Agents in Valorant are tailored for holding Sites while Defending. Agents like Sage and Cypher can block enemies by placing Walls, throwing Slow Orbs, or attaching Tripwires that are only visible when up close. Deadlock is another useful Sentinel as she can place Gravnet and Barrier Mesh to hinder the movement of enemies who are trying to rotate or retrieve the Spike.
