Valorant:
Since its international release in 2020, Valorant has become one of the world’s top-selling competitive FPS titles. Among other features is one of the game’s most fertile libraries of playable agents, each of which offers a diverse set of abilities to redefine game play and team composition. Riot Games has persistently added new agents since the game’s release and each adds depth, variety, and strategic nuance to each and every match.
In this guide, we will walk you through the agent release order of Valorant from its beta to 2025, including their position and how each new agent has mixed up the meta of the game. Whether you are an old timer or a new player, understanding the history of agents is crucial to becoming a master of Valorant.
Introduction to Valorant Agents
As you begin your journey in Valorant, you’ll notice that agents are not just simple characters—they’re the cornerstone of every strategic decision. Each agent belongs to one of four roles:
- Duelists: Entry fraggers who lead attacks and aim to secure kills.
- Sentinels: Defensive experts who support and protect the team.
- Initiators: Agents who disrupt enemy setups and gather intel.
- Controllers: Map control specialists who cut off sightlines and manage zones.
These roles define how agents function in team compositions, and learning them is essential for effective gameplay.
Valorant’s First Agents: The Beta Roster
When Valorant was in beta (March 2020), the following agents were available:
- Brimstone – Controller
- Viper – Controller
- Omen – Controller
- Cypher – Sentinel
- Sage – Sentinel
- Sova – Initiator
- Breach – Initiator
- Phoenix – Duelist
- Jett – Duelist
- Raze – Duelist
These agents provided a well-balanced mix of abilities—smokes, heals, reconnaissance, and explosive entry plays. From Brimstone’s orbital strikes to Jett’s mobility, each agent encouraged a different playstyle and team strategy.
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Valorant Agent Release Timeline (2020–2025)
Here is the full release order of all Valorant agents along with their roles:
- June 2, 2020: Reyna – Duelist
- August 4, 2020: Killjoy – Sentinel
- October 27, 2020: Skye – Initiator
- January 12, 2021: Yoru – Duelist
- March 2, 2021: Astra – Controller
- June 22, 2021: KAY/O – Initiator
- November 16, 2021: Chamber – Sentinel
- January 11, 2022: Neon – Duelist
- April 27, 2022: Fade – Initiator
- October 18, 2022: Harbor – Controller
- March 7, 2023: Gekko – Initiator
- June 27, 2023: Deadlock – Sentinel
- October 31, 2023: Iso – Duelist
- March 26, 2024: Clove – Controller
- August 28, 2024: Vyse – Sentinel
- January 8, 2025: Tejo – Initiator
- March 5, 2025: Waylay – Duelist
Breakdown of Key Agent Additions
Reyna
Released with the official game launch on June 2, 2020, Reyna introduced a new playstyle focused entirely on self-sufficiency. With abilities that heal and reposition after kills, she became a pub-stomper favorite.
Killjoy
As the second post-launch agent, Killjoy brought automated defense to the table. Her turret, alarmbot, and lockdown ultimately gave Sentinels a new flavor.
Skye
Skye combined healing with recon utility, allowing players to support teammates and gather intel at the same time. Her versatile kit made her a favorite in coordinated team play.
Astra
Astra redefined the Controller role by offering global presence. Her stars and cosmic divide wall added an entirely new strategic layer to map control.
Chamber
Chamber merged utility and sharpshooting with a teleport ability and a powerful custom weapon. His unique kit made him a common pick in pro play for months.
Gekko
Released in 2023, Gekko introduced a brand-new mechanic of deployable creatures, each with their own tactical purpose. He quickly became a favorite among creative players.
Iso, Tejo & Waylay
The most recent additions—Iso (duelist with 1v1 combat focus), Tejo (initiator with sound-based disorientation), and Waylay (duelist with mobility)—have each added new dimensions to Valorant’s gameplay in 2024 and 2025. These agents reflect Riot’s commitment to evolving complexity and creative gameplay.
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Impact of New Agents on Valorant’s Meta
Each agent added to the game not only increases variety but reshapes the entire competitive landscape.
1. Shifting Meta Compositions
Agents like Chamber and Astra introduced new dominant team comps, forcing teams to adapt or fall behind. As each new agent joins the roster, the viability of older strategies changes.
2. Expanded Strategic Playstyles
New agents broaden the game’s tactical depth. With the addition of abilities like teleportation, healing recon creatures, and sound waves, players constantly find innovative ways to gain an edge.
3. Increased Learning Curve
As the agent count grows, so does the complexity of the game. New players must learn how to counter every new ability and synergy, raising the skill ceiling for competitive play.
4. Balance and Patch Adjustments
With every new agent comes the challenge of balancing. Riot often rolls out patch updates to address overpowered kits or underutilized characters, ensuring a healthy competitive environment.
5. Pro Scene Evolution
Professional teams quickly integrate new agents into scrims and tournaments. The faster a team adapts, the greater their edge in competition. This keeps pro play dynamic and interesting for viewers.
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How Riot Releases Agents: The Seasonal Approach
Riot Games typically releases a new agent once per act—every few months. This regular cadence keeps the player base engaged and the game’s meta evolving. Each new agent is often teased in advance through in-game hints, promotional trailers, or cryptic messages from existing characters.
Additionally, Riot balances each agent’s release with:
- Lore integration
- Synergy with existing mechanics
- Unique yet balanced abilities
- Community feedback loops during beta testing
This calculated release approach allows new agents to feel fresh without completely disrupting the game’s balance.
What’s Next for Valorant Agents?
Looking ahead, Riot is expected to continue rolling out agents that expand on gameplay diversity while deepening narrative connections between characters. Players can anticipate more:
- Hybrid roles (e.g., duelists with supportive abilities)
- Advanced mechanics like deployable units or time manipulation
- Tactical counters to existing meta-dominant agents
- Cross-map control options
As Valorant heads into its next competitive seasons, staying current with each new agent will be key to staying competitive.
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FAQs: Valorant Agent Releases
Q: How many agents did they first release?
On the first release of Valorant in June 2020, there were 11 agents overall, of which 5 were released on the beta and 6 afterwards.
Q: How many agents are there in Valorant in 2025?
There are currently 28 agents in Valorant up to the last update in March 2025, the newest one being Waylay.
Q: How frequently does Riot release new agents?
Riot usually introduces a new agent each act, i.e., every 3–4 months.
Q: Do the new agents imbalance the game?
While there are some exceptions of agents that are too overpowerful at first, Riot continuously patches the game and keeps everything in balance and even for all.
Conclusion
The order of agent release in chronological terms brings a level of a smooth sequence to how Riot has been releasing the game. From the initial agents like Brimstone and Sage right up to newer, test agents like Gekko and Waylay, every new agent brings complexity and depth.
For the players themselves, the acquisition of new agents and what they can do is a top priority—other than winning matches but enjoying playing the continuously evolving gameplay. As Riot releases more characters, the horizon is bright for Valorant with more room for strategy and heart-racing moments.
Whether progressing through the ranks by climbing or simply gaming unrated game modes with buddies that happen to be around, being aware of all the knowledge on all the Valorant history and purpose agents gives you an edge over your game.