Best tips to lurk like Valorant pros

Lurking in Valorant can be a huge move if done right. Players like nAts have immortalized the strategic approach by winning rounds and games by lurking. When you lurk, you attempt to collect information and maybe some kills while your team operates on a different part of the map. This makes it difficult for the enemy to anticipate your movement, as they may assume the entire team is working together.

This article will go over some tips to help you improve your lurking skills in Valorant.

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Lurking like pros in Valorant: Tips and tricks

1) Picking the right Agent

Cypher and Deadlock (Image via Riot Games)

Picking the right Agent is perhaps the most important aspect of lurking. This will determine how effective you are and, more importantly, how comfortable you are in the lurking role, as you will need to contribute to the team's game plan from a different part of the map. Developing the skill with some Agents is easy, while others make it a little bit of a challenge.

Perhaps the epitome of lurking is Cypher. He can have his eyes in two places at once, literally, with his camera. His Trapwires also watch the flank for the team in his absence. Cypher is not limited by range; this makes him effective even when he's not with the team. He is also easy to learn and acclimate to in the lurk role.

Apart from him, you can choose Viper, who can activate smokes from any distance once set up. Astra is also a possible, but perhaps a more complicated pick. Agents like Deadlock and Yoru can also do well in the role. However, the latter is a Duelist and may be necessary for entering crowded sites.

Pick your Agent and practice them well.

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2) Learning phase

Once you've picked your Agent, it's time to get to your first objective: learning your enemy's patterns and movements. The best way to do it is to start observing from Round 1. Professionals like nAts often spend a lot of time during pistol rounds studying the enemy's setup. But that's not all.

At least the first 3-5 rounds should be spent on understanding how your enemy reacts to site rushes or even sightings of your teammates. This will help you find gaps in their defence and find your timing.

One of the most important ways to capitalize on this is to listen to sound cues. Try to hear footsteps and abilities such as Trapwires or Chamber's Trademark. Find ways around these to exploit your opponents' false sense of security.

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3) Fake cues

Agents like Cypher, Viper, Yoru, Astra, and many others can give enemies fake cues. Condition them to certain abilities going off right before the team floods a site, like a Cybercage on A Long in Haven or a fake/spare smoke on B in Icebox.

This will allow you to keep your enemy on their toes. Play with their minds with fake cues in Valorant. Use Cypher's Camera, Yoru's Fakeout, or maybe even a deep flash. Sometimes, the team floods the site after such cues; other times, there's nothing; yet another time, it may just be you lurking. Faking abilities is a very potent tool used by professional teams all over the world.

Use it to your advantage while lurking in Valorant.

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4) Punish overcommitment

By now, you know that players like Marved or nAts often wait for their enemies to make a mistake. Teams often overcommit to a singular plan. They gamble on a hunch or misread situations.

You must act as the hidden blade that only appears at the right time, listening in on enemy movement. Learning camera placement while on Cypher or teleporting into a sneaky spot as Yoru can give you the edge you really need. This is as simple as it gets. Find the right spot (often the middle of any map) and wait for the team to rotate in numbers.

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5) Lead the team

Lurkers often take the backseat. They become instrumental in the team's victory and yet do not direct the team to do much. This is wasted potential. As a lurker, you can be a fantastic leader because you have eyes on more than one part of the map. Even when you're not playing as Cypher, you can still get site reports through the map or via your team comms.

You have more information than anyone else in the team, and you likely understand enemy positions better than others. Sharing intel is the norm, but based on your observations, you can lead the team rather well due to your bird's-eye view on the game. Be the in-game leader and lead the team to find more space and win more rounds.