In the fast-paced world of Valorant, your in-game name is more than just a label—it’s your identity. Thankfully, refreshing your persona in Riot Games’ tactical shooter is a straightforward process, as your Valorant display name is directly tied to your Riot ID, the unified name and tagline that appears across all Riot Games titles.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change your Valorant in-game name and the crucial rules to keep in mind.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Valorant In-Game Name
The process for updating your Riot ID (and by extension, your Valorant in-game name) is handled entirely outside the game client, through the Riot Account management portal.
1. Log Out and Close Valorant:
Before you begin, ensure that the Valorant game client is completely closed. This prevents any potential conflicts or issues when your name updates.
2. Go to the Riot Account Page:
Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Riot Account management page at account.riotgames.com. Alternatively, you can often access the Riot ID settings directly through your Riot Client profile.
3. Log In with Your Riot Account Credentials:
Use the same Riot account username and password that you use to launch and play Valorant. Complete any two-factor authentication or verification steps if prompted.
4. Locate the ‘Riot ID’ Section:
Once logged in, look for and click on the “Riot ID” tab or section. Here, you will see your current Riot ID (your display name) and its associated tagline (the # followed by a series of characters).
5. Edit Your Riot ID and Tagline:
- Click the prominent pencil icon usually located next to your current Riot ID.
- A new field will appear, allowing you to enter your desired new game name. Your new name can be up to 16 characters long.
- You can also, optionally, change your tagline. The tagline, consisting of a ‘#’ symbol followed by up to 5 characters, helps further customize your unique identity.
- Important Note: Unlike traditional usernames, your Riot ID itself does not need to be unique. Only the full combination of your Riot ID and its tagline must be unique. This allows for more flexibility in choosing popular names.
6. Save Your Changes:
After entering your new name and tagline, click the “Save Changes” or “Confirm” button. Your updated Riot ID will automatically propagate and apply across all Riot Games titles linked to your account, including Valorant.
7. Relaunch Valorant:
Once you’ve saved the changes, simply launch Valorant. Your new name should now be visible in the game’s menus, during matches, and to your friends.
Important Rules & The Cooldown
While changing your Valorant name is free and relatively simple, there are a few critical rules and limitations to be aware of:
- Cooldown Period: The most important rule is the cooldown. You can only change your Riot ID once every 30 days. This means you should choose your new name carefully, as you’ll be stuck with it for at least a month.
- Content Guidelines: All names must adhere to Riot Games’ content guidelines. This strictly prohibits offensive language, impersonation of other players or public figures, and any content that infringes on copyrights. Riot’s system will prevent the use of certain symbols or inappropriate words.
- Unchangeable Login Username: It’s crucial to understand that only your visible in-game Riot ID can be changed. Your Riot account’s actual login username (the one you use to sign in to the client and website) cannot be changed after creation.
Changing your Valorant name is a convenient way to refresh your identity across the entire Riot Games ecosystem, and it only takes a few minutes online. Just remember the 30-day cooldown and choose a name you’ll be happy to represent yourself with for the foreseeable future!
Written by:
Christian