Navigating the Battlefield: A Guide to Entering Matches in Valorant

Updated: 13th July 2025 3 min read

Riot Games’ tactical shooter, Valorant, offers a dynamic and engaging experience for players worldwide. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned veteran, understanding the various ways to enter a match is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience.

From standard queues to custom lobbies, here’s a comprehensive guide to getting into the action.

Getting Started: Launching Valorant and Joining a Standard Match

The journey begins with ensuring Valorant is installed on your PC. Once the game is launched, you’ll be greeted by the main menu, your gateway to the game’s diverse modes.

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To jump into a standard match, follow these straightforward steps:

  • Click ‘Play’: Located at the top left of your screen, this button is your initial point of entry.
  • Choose Your Mode: Valorant offers a variety of game modes to suit different preferences, including Unrated for casual play, Competitive for ranked challenges, Spike Rush for quick and chaotic rounds, and Deathmatch for pure combat practice.
  • Initiate Matchmaking: After selecting your desired mode, click ‘Start’ to enter the matchmaking queue. The system will automatically connect you with other players to form a complete team.

It’s important to note that if you’re playing with friends in a party, only the party leader has the ability to initiate matchmaking. If you’re not the leader, you’ll need to rely on them to start the game.

Beyond the Queue: Custom Matches and Competitive Play

For players seeking more control over their matches, such as private games, scrims, or tournaments, Valorant provides a robust custom match system. .

Here’s how to set up or join a custom game:

  • Access Custom Game: From the main menu, click ‘Play’, then select ‘Custom Game’.
  • Party Settings: You can set your party to ‘Open’ or ‘Closed’, depending on who you wish to invite.
  • Customize Your Experience: Custom settings allow for extensive adjustments, including map selection, side assignments, and various other match parameters.
  • Invite and Start: The host can invite other players to the lobby using their Riot ID or a generated party code. Once all participants are present, the host can begin the match.

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Agent Selection and the Power of Communication

Once matchmaking is complete, players move to the agent selection phase. This critical stage involves each player choosing a unique agent, each possessing distinct abilities and roles that contribute to team strategy.

Effective communication is paramount in Valorant. The game offers both text and voice chat features, enabling players to coordinate strategies, share vital information, and make crucial callouts with their teammates.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While entering a match in Valorant is generally a seamless process, players may occasionally encounter errors. Here are some common solutions to help you get back into the game:

  • Restart the Game and Client: Often, temporary connection issues can be resolved by simply restarting Valorant and the Riot Client.
  • Check Your Connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable and that your firewall or antivirus software isn’t inadvertently blocking the game.
  • Update Your Client: Keeping your game client updated to the latest version is essential to avoid version mismatches and other compatibility problems.
  • Server Status: If you’re still experiencing issues, it’s possible that the game servers are down for maintenance. In such cases, a brief wait until services are restored is usually all that’s needed.

Conclusion

Valorant’s intuitive design makes entering a match a user-friendly experience, whether you’re diving into your first public game or orchestrating a private competitive lobby.

By understanding these steps and being aware of potential troubleshooting measures, players can quickly immerse themselves in the tactical action that has made Valorant one of today’s most popular shooters.

Written by:

Christian