The VALORANT closed beta is in full swing, and Riot Games’ brand new tactical shooter is already proving to have one of the most diverse and intriguing lineups of characters in all of modern gaming. Whether you were lucky enough to get yourself into the beta or not, chances are you’re still looking to get an early look at what some of the game’s agents have to offer.

In VALORANT, every agent is unique in their own way, as the game revolves largely around its character-based mechanics. In a similar vein to other character-focused FPS titles such as Overwatch and Apex Legends, team composition matters extensively. The abilities that the characters bring to the table are all valuable in their own way, making your selection at the top of each game really matter.

However, if there’s one character that stands out as a unique option when compared to the rest of the roster, it’s Sage. As the only character with the ability to actively heal her teammates during the course of a round, Sage is a valuable agent in any team composition.

Additionally, when you combine Sage’s unique kit with a playstyle that focuses on utility, setups, and playmaking capability, it’s clear why she’s already beginning to feel like a required agent on many teams in the early stages of VALORANT’s lifespan.

Another factor that’s already giving Sage a sense of popularity is the fact that she resembles the outline of what a traditional healer class would look like in any character-based game. When you combine that with her momentous amount of utility, Sage easily shines as a character that can draw in players of all backgrounds. If anything, she’s one of the quintessential agents that you can add to your arsenal as soon as you pick up VALORANT for yourself. Here’s everything you need to know to master her.

Abilities

Sage’s abilities are ideal for not only blocking the enemy team away from your allies, but more importantly, keeping them alive. Her ability to manipulate the map with the best of the roster is something that every Sage player should look to capitalize on. Whether you’re blocking off chokes, limiting your enemies’ movement patterns, or restoring life to your allies, Sage’s kit will allow you to make some seriously creative decisions.

Barrier Orb

A beefy wall of energy that is stacked with tons of health and provides your team with immense cover. The wall acts as a barrier that obscures vision and blocks movement to anyone attempting to pass through. Sage can change the angle at which Barrier Orb is cast, strategically blocking off certain chokes or entrances. Additionally, the ability can be cast underneath teammates to boost them to higher ground.

Heal Orb

A powerful healing ability that can be used to heal either Sage or one of her allies. The health given from the orb isn’t restored instantly, but instead acts as a healing over time spell. The long reach of the ability allows Sage to cast Heal Orb from cover and still reach an ally that may be positioned at a different angle or even in a different area entirely.

Slow Orb

A bouncing projectile that you can throw at a target location to cover the ground in ice. Enemies and allies who walk over this ice are slowed and make more noise with their footsteps. Due to this ability’s peculiar way it bounces off of walls, you can be sitting in cover and throw this orb into a choke to get intel on your enemies’ movements.

Resurrection (Ultimate)

Sage’s ultimate allows her to bring a target ally back from the dead after a short cast time. This ability allows players to have a second chance in a round if they are taken down early on in the action. Instead of having to get five kills to win the round, your enemies now need to get six considering Resurrection brings the targeted player back into the fray with full health.

Optimal Weapons

Due to Sage's ability to excel at long range, rifles will most likely be her best option in any gunfight. Here are three of the most optimal weapons that fit her distance-oriented playstyle.

Guardian 

The Guardian is a semi-automatic weapon that relies on quick shots from a distance. If defending or pushing medium or long-range chokes, Sage can use this firearm to quickly peek around a corner and take down an enemy. And, with the right crosshair placement, the Guardian’s 195 headshot damage to enemies with no armor is a surefire way to run away with a gunfight.

Vandal 

In a similar fashion to the Guardian, the Vandal is best used at medium range, although with precise aim, it can be used well from afar. The only difference between these two options is that the Vandal is fully automatic. In many defense scenarios, you can use this weapon to wait around a corner and surprise pushing enemies with a burst of damage.

Operator 

The Operator is the essential sniper firearm of VALORANT. The “one shot, one kill” mentality that the weapon brings to the table is unmatched by any other option in the game. What makes the Operator strong in the hands of Sage is that she can combo the weapon with her Slow Orb. Enemies who walk through the field of ice produced by the orb are more susceptible to being picked off.

Tips and Tricks

- Resurrection is one of the most unique ultimate abilities in all of VALORANT. It’s certainly what makes Sage stand out as an agent and getting to master it is going to be key if you’re looking to play the character. Ideally, you should be using Resurrection in the later stages of a round as it will often catch the opposition by surprise if there’s suddenly another enemy roaming the map. If you’re looking for optimal use of the ability, try casting Resurrection when you’re forced into a 1v1 or 1v2 scenario. Getting the upper hand with an extra player, or at the very least, bringing the end-of-round conflict to an even playing surface, is going to give your team a serious boost.

- Sage is incredibly efficient at making parts of the map completely impassable to the enemy team. Whether it’s through Slow Orb or Barrier Orb, you should absolutely be making use of Sage’s strengths in manipulating sight lines, blocking off corridors, and locking down chokes. Your top priority every round as a Sage player should be making the map your domain and capitalizing on the limited space your opponents have to work with.

- As Sage, distance is key. Your abilities have incredible range so there’s no need to be up close and personal with your enemies. If you’re able to dictate the way your targets approach you, then you’ll have no problem picking them off one by one with either a Sniper Rifle or Medium-range firearm. The more calculated you are on the back line, the more success you’ll have.

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ABOUT VALORANT

VALORANT is a competitive first-person-shooter that places players in a five-verus-five match. The player can choose from nine agents, each with four unique abilities. The game combines elements from games like Counter-Strike with elements from Overwatch and League of Legends. The result is an awesome shooter game where both excellent aiming and smart ability usage is rewarded.