Learning how to retake in Valorant is crucial, as you will find yourself in many retake situations that can change the pendulum of the game. So knowing how to retake is crucial, especially if you want to rank up.
Luckily, we have ample experience playing from a retake position and can guide you on what you need to know to retake effectively in Valorant. There are several options you need to be aware of, so make sure you pay close attention to all of them.
How to Retake in Valorant
There are over 13 million active players in Valorant at the time of this writing, but most of them lack the knowledge about how to retake. This skill is essential if you want to climb the ranks quickly, and will also help you improve your overall game knowledge.
Retaking occurs when your team loses control of a given point or area to your opponents, and you need to get it back. The bombsite is where most retakes occur, with defenders needing to take back control of that area to disarm the spike.
However, it's easier said than done, especially if your team lacks the necessary defense strategies.
Once the Spike is on the ground, the attacking team that placed it becomes the defending team. It then becomes the defenders' job to reclaim the area by using utility, coordinating with each other, and forcing the attackers out of their hiding places.
When to Retake in Valorant?
Sometimes you won't have the utility to retake a bombsite, or you are at such a big number disadvantage that going for a retake is not possible. When that is the case, it's better to cut your losses, and live to fight another day, saving your weapon for the next round.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you are on an eco or bonus round, make sure you go for the retake, even if the chances of it succeeding are very low. In these cases, you are looking to cause economic damage, and not really win the round. Sometimes playing the long game is the best option you have.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to retaking, and the decision to do so will depend heavily on the utility that your team has available to retake the area, if you are at a numbers disadvantage, or if you have enough time to complete the retake and disarm the spike.
Sometimes, not going for the retake is the best option, while in others you are forced into it. If you find yourself on the latter, you need to work with your teammates to have the best chance of retaking the site.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
When it comes to retaking in Valorant, it's important to remember that it's a team effort. While it may be possible for one player to take on an entire team, it's not very likely. So work together to increase your chances of success.
Retaking a site can be tough, especially with random teammates, but try to coordinate your actions and use your agents' abilities. Consider which agents have flashes, smokes, and recon abilities, and how these can be used effectively to help you regain control of an area.
Peeking together is also important, so don't go out one after another, as the enemy team can easily pick you off. Instead, cover all possible angles by peeking together. This will make it much harder for the enemy team to take you down.
It's important to adapt to the map you're playing on, as each one is different. If you're not sure how to approach a particular map, we suggest watching videos to learn more.
You Only have 45 Seconds!
It's important to keep time in mind when it comes to retaking in Valorant. While rushing is not advisable since it can lead to mistakes, being too slow can also be detrimental.
After planting the Spike, you have 45 seconds to gather and attempt to retake. However, to increase your chances of winning, you need to act quickly. Time is a crucial factor in Valorant gameplay, considering elements such as mollies, ultimates, and kills.
To defuse the spike and win the round, you must be aware of your enemy's position, your utility, their utility, and other details specific to the situation. Each scenario is different, so you need to evaluate it and make the best decision accordingly.
Risk Calculation
It's important to mention risk calculation. Regardless of your role, the map, and your gun, you need to be able to evaluate the risk and make a decision on what to do.
As mentioned previously, there are times when it's better to let the enemy push rather than die for no reason. In other situations, it may be more beneficial to take a risky play and try to retake alone, instead of waiting for your teammates to arrive.
When it comes to calculating risk, you should also consider the resources that you and the enemy team have. For instance, if you have the manpower advantage, use it to your benefit and try to push a given angle together to increase your chances of killing. In these scenarios, trading kills is advantageous.
We hope this guide answers all of your questions about retaking, and helps you take your game to the next level!
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