Valorant's primary mode is Competitive, a ranked 5v5 experience where two teams alternate between attacking and defending across 13-round halves. Your rank is determined by wins, individual performance, and your matchmaking rating (MMR). Ranks range from Iron through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Ascendant, Immortal, and the top-tier Radiant. Playing Competitive requires reaching account level 20 first.
Unrated is the same format as Competitive but without rank implications, making it ideal for warming up or playing with friends of varying skill levels. Spike Rush is a faster variant where all players receive the same random weapon each round, every player has full abilities, and games are first to four rounds. It's a great mode for quickly completing daily missions.
Deathmatch is a free-for-all mode where 14 players fight on a map with infinite abilities disabled and instant respawns. It's the best mode for practicing aim and learning map layouts without pressure. Team Deathmatch pits two teams of five against each other with escalating weapon rounds, similar to arms race modes in other shooters.
Swiftplay is a shortened version of the standard mode, playing first to five rounds per half instead of thirteen, making it perfect when you want the tactical experience without committing to a full 40-minute match. Escalation is a team-based mode where your weapons change as your team gets kills, progressing through increasingly difficult weapons. Premier is Valorant's tournament-style competitive mode where teams of five compete in a seasonal league format with map picks and bans.