Are you a Valorant player looking to understand the in-game economy better? Then you've come to the right place! Let's dive deep into the world of Valorant's credits and how they work.
Step 1: Understand the Two Types of Credits
First things first, it's essential to know that Valorant has two primary in-game currencies:
In-Game Match Credits (Creds): This is the currency you earn and spend during a single match. It's what you use to buy weapons, shields, and abilities in the "buy phase" before each round.
Kingdom Credits (KC): This is a permanent currency you earn just by playing the game. It’s used for unlocking agents, agent gear, and items in the rotating Accessory Store.
Now, let's address the main question: how long do these credits last? The answer is different for each type.
Step 2: Decoding the Durability of In-Game Match Credits (Creds)
So, you're in a match, and you've just won a round. You see your "Creds" increase. But do they last?
The answer is no, not forever! In-game match credits (Creds) are tied to the specific match you are playing.
They reset at the end of each half. At the start of the first round of each half (the pistol round), every player begins with 800 Creds.
They have a maximum cap. You can't just keep accumulating them endlessly within a single match. The cap is 9,000 Creds. Once you hit that, any further Creds you would have earned from kills, round wins, or spike plants are wasted. This is why it's crucial to be mindful of your economy and spend your Creds wisely to stay below the cap and maximize your earnings.
You lose all your Creds when the match ends. After the final round is played and the match concludes, your in-game Creds are gone. They do not carry over to your next match.
Think of it like a temporary wallet for each game. You earn and spend within the match, and once the game is over, the wallet is emptied for the next one.
Step 3: Unraveling the Mystery of Kingdom Credits (KC)
Now, let's talk about the currency that does last.
Kingdom Credits are permanent. They do not expire. You can earn them by playing any game mode, completing daily rewards, and finishing matches. They are a reward for your time spent in the game.
However, they have a cap. While they don't expire, they are capped at 10,000 KC. Once you hit this cap, you will stop earning new Kingdom Credits until you spend some. This encourages you to use your KC to unlock new content and keep the currency flowing.
So, in summary: Creds last for one match, and Kingdom Credits are permanent but have a limit.
Step 4: A Guide to Earning and Spending Credits
To master the Valorant economy, you need to understand the flow of credits.
Earning In-Game Match Credits (Creds):
Starting Credits: Everyone starts a half with 800 Creds.
Round Win: The winning team receives a hefty 3,000 Creds per player.
Round Loss: The losing team doesn't get nothing! They receive a base of 1,900 Creds, which increases with consecutive losses to a maximum of 2,900 Creds.
Kills: Each elimination grants you 200 Creds.
Spike Plant: Planting the spike as an attacker gives your entire team an additional 300 Creds, regardless of the round's outcome.
Surviving with a Weapon: If you survive a round with a weapon you bought, you save the cost of rebuying it, which is a great way to conserve your economy.
Spending In-Game Match Credits (Creds):
The buy phase is your window of opportunity to spend your Creds. Here's a breakdown of common buy strategies:
Full Buy: This is when your team has enough Creds to buy a powerful rifle (Vandal or Phantom), full shields (heavy armor), and all their abilities. This is the ideal buy round.
Eco Round: On this round, your team buys minimal or no equipment to save money for a full buy in a future round. This is a strategic sacrifice to build your economy.
Force Buy: A high-risk, high-reward strategy where your team spends most of their money on less expensive weapons and shields, hoping to catch the enemy off guard.
Half Buy: A balanced approach where you buy a decent gun (like a Spectre or Bulldog) and maybe light shields, but save some Creds for the next round.
Earning Kingdom Credits (KC):
Playing Any Game Mode: Simply playing matches will grant you KC.
Daily Rewards: Completing daily checkpoints gives you a significant amount of KC and XP.
Completing Matches and Rounds: You get a flat amount of KC for completing matches and winning rounds.
Spending Kingdom Credits (KC):
Unlocking Agents: You can purchase new agents for a set amount of KC. Note: For the first 28 days of a new agent's release, they can only be unlocked with Valorant Points (VP), which are bought with real money, or by completing their Agent Recruitment Event. After that, you can unlock them with KC.
Agent Gear: You can buy cosmetic items for agents you already own using KC.
Accessory Store: This store has a weekly rotating selection of sprays, gun buddies, titles, and player cards from previous battle passes, which can only be purchased with KC.
Remember to check your "Min Next Round" in the buy menu to assess your economy and plan for future rounds!
Step 5: Master the Economy, Master the Game
Understanding how Valorant's credits work is a key part of becoming a better player. It's not just about aiming and shooting; it's about making smart economic decisions that give your team an edge. By managing your in-game Creds, you can ensure you always have the right weapons and utilities for the job. And by consistently playing and earning Kingdom Credits, you can unlock a wealth of in-game content to personalize your experience.
So get out there, plant that spike, and earn those credits!
10 Related FAQs
How to check my Valorant Credits? You can see your in-game match credits (Creds) in the bottom left corner of your screen during the buy phase. Your permanent Kingdom Credits (KC) are visible in your client's main menu, near your username.
How to get more Valorant Creds in a match? You can earn more Creds by winning rounds, getting kills, planting the spike as an attacker, and surviving rounds with your weapon.
How to get Kingdom Credits in Valorant? You get Kingdom Credits by simply playing the game, completing daily rewards, and finishing matches.
How to use my Valorant Credits wisely? To use your Creds wisely, avoid overbuying in losing situations, communicate with your team about their economy, and consider saving for a "Full Buy" round instead of a risky "Force Buy".
How to know if I have enough credits for a full buy? The buy menu shows you your current Creds and the cost of different items. A "Full Buy" typically includes a rifle (Vandal/Phantom), heavy shield, and all your abilities.
How to unlock agents with Kingdom Credits? Once a new agent's recruitment event is over (28 days after release), you can go to the "Agents" tab in your client and unlock them using Kingdom Credits.
How to avoid losing my Valorant Credits? You can't "save" your in-game match credits between games, as they reset each match. However, you can prevent them from going to waste by spending them before you hit the 9,000 Creds cap in a match.
How to check my Valorant purchase history? You can check your purchase history for Valorant Points (VP) and other items by logging into your Riot Games account on their website.
How to get a refund on a Valorant purchase? Generally, unused in-game content and unused VP purchased within the last 14 days may be eligible for a refund. You can request a refund through the Riot Games support website.
How to spend my Kingdom Credits effectively? Prioritize unlocking agents and their gear first, as these are permanent unlocks that enhance your gameplay experience. Then, you can spend them on cosmetic items in the Accessory Store.
