Valorant Agent Release Order: The Complete Timeline

Since its launch in June 2020, Valorant has evolved from a 10-agent FPS to a rich tactical shooter with 26 unique agents. Each new character has brought distinctive abilities and shifted the competitive landscape in meaningful ways. In this blog, we provide a full timeline of Valorant agent releases, explain their roles, and break down their strategic impact.

Whether you’re new to the game or a ranked veteran, understanding the full Valorant agent release order helps you track meta shifts and prepare for the future.

Understanding Valorant Agent Roles

Valorant agents are divided into four strategic roles:

• Duelists – Entry fraggers and high-damage dealers (e.g. Jett, Reyna)
• Sentinels – Defensive support agents who lock down zones (e.g. Sage, Killjoy)
• Initiators – Info-gathering and site-opening agents (e.g. Sova, Breach)
• Controllers – Map control and space-denial specialists (e.g. Viper, Omen)

Each role adds depth to the team composition and helps shape unique strategies per map and team playstyle.

Original Valorant Agents (Launch Roster – June 2020)

Valorant originally launched with 10 agents, forming the foundation of its gameplay:

• Brimstone – Tactical Controller with smokes and orbital strike
• Jett – High-mobility Duelist for aggressive play
• Phoenix – Self-sustaining Duelist with flash and healing
• Sage – The cornerstone Sentinel with heals and resurrection
• Sova – Initiator who excels in recon and wall-penetrating ult
• Omen – Teleporting Controller with unpredictable flanks
• Viper – Toxic Controller with area denial tools
• Raze – Explosive Duelist with high kill potential
• Cypher – Sentinel for intel gathering and trap control
• Breach – Initiator built to clear angles with utility

These agents defined the early Valorant meta and remain viable to this day.

Valorant Agent Release Timeline (2020–2024)

Here’s a complete timeline of all agent releases in Valorant, from launch to September 2024:

• 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)

This expansion shows Riot’s balanced approach to role diversity and meta evolution.

How New Agents Changed the Meta

Fresh Mechanics

New agents like Iso, Gekko, and Harbor introduced completely new gameplay mechanics such as rechargeable abilities, movable walls, and bulletproof shields, forcing teams to adapt.

Strategic Synergy

With each new release, pro teams explore fresh synergies. For example:

• Astra + Killjoy for lockdown + retake setups
• Jett + Skye for aggressive entry and flash peeking
• Gekko + Fade for site-clearing combos

Dynamic Counterplay

New agents also encourage meta shifts. When Chamber was dominant, Riot had to re-balance other Sentinels and long-range Duelists.

Agent Role Trends Over Time

Riot has released:

• 7 Duelists: Aggressive and flashy (e.g. Jett, Iso, Neon)
• 7 Sentinels: Defensive anchors (e.g. Sage, Vyse, Deadlock)
• 7 Initiators: Utility-rich support (e.g. Sova, Fade, KAY/O)
• 5 Controllers: Area denial and map manipulation (e.g. Viper, Clove)

While Duelists dominated early metas, 2023 and 2024 focused on supportive roles like Sentinels and Controllers to re-balance playstyles.

How Many Agents Are in Valorant in 2024?

As of September 2024, Valorant has:

• 26 total agents
• The most recent release: Vyse (Sentinel)

Riot typically releases 2 new agents per year, aiming for role balance and creative gameplay evolution.

Will More Agents Be Released in the Future?

Yes. Riot confirmed that new agents will continue to be introduced, alongside reworks and role updates for underutilized characters. The next agent is expected in early 2025, potentially introducing a new mechanic or hybrid role.

Stay updated for patch notes and meta guides as new agents launch.

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