Armor—referred to as “shields” in Valorant—is a cornerstone of survival and strategy in Riot Games’ tactical shooter. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned competitor, understanding how armor works can mean the difference between clutching a round or falling just short.
Here’s everything you need to know about the mechanics, types, and tactics surrounding armor in Valorant.
The Basics: What Does Armor Do?
Armor in Valorant doesn’t increase your maximum health, but it absorbs a percentage of incoming damage, effectively extending your survivability.
When you take damage, a portion is soaked up by your shield, and the rest is applied to your health.
- Light Shields: 25 armor points, cost 400 credits.
- Heavy Shields: 50 armor points, cost 1,000 credits.
- Regen Shield (introduced in Patch 9.10): 25 active armor with a 50-point regeneration pool, cost 650 credits.
How Damage Absorption Works
For standard shields (Light and Heavy):
- 66% of incoming damage is absorbed by your armor, while the remaining 33% goes directly to your health.
- For example, if you take 90 damage with full Heavy Shields:
- 59.4 damage is absorbed by your armor (66% of 90).
- 30.6 damage is applied to your health (33% of 90).
- Once your armor is depleted, all damage is applied to your health.
| Shield Type | Armor Points | Cost | Damage Absorption | Special Features |
| Light Shield | 25 | 400 | 66% | Basic, affordable protection |
| Heavy Shield | 50 | 1,000 | 66% | Maximum standard protection |
| Regen Shield | 25 + 50 RP | 650 | 100% (active) | Regenerates up to 75 total armor |
Regen Shield: The New Meta
Patch 9.10 introduced the Regen Shield, shaking up the economy and tactical choices:
- 25 active armor absorbs 100% of incoming damage before health is affected.
- 50 points in a regeneration pool: After your active armor hits zero, 25 points are restored from the pool after a 3-second delay—this can happen twice per round, for a total of 75 armor absorbed if you survive long enough to regenerate.
- Best Used: In eco or bonus rounds, or when you expect to take chip damage and can retreat to regenerate.
Tactical Implications
- Carryover: Armor persists between rounds if not fully depleted, so ending a round with leftover armor means you start the next round with it.
- No Healing: Shields cannot be restored by healing abilities—only by purchasing new armor or, for Regen Shields, by waiting for natural regeneration.
- Head Armor: Recent updates introduced head armor mechanics, further influencing gunfights and weapon choices, though the community is still debating its impact.
When Should You Buy Armor?
- Early Rounds: Light Shields are a budget-friendly option when credits are tight.
- Full Buys: Heavy Shields are recommended when you can afford them for maximum protection.
- Eco/Force Rounds: Regen Shield offers a middle ground—more protection than Light Shields, but with the potential to regenerate if you play cautiously.
Conclusion
Armor in Valorant is more than just a buffer—it’s a dynamic system that influences every buy phase, firefight, and clutch moment. With the introduction of Regen Shields, players now have even more strategic options to weigh.
Mastering armor mechanics is essential for anyone aiming to outlast the opposition and secure victory in Valorant’s high-stakes rounds.
Written by:
Christian