Valorant’s flash abilities are unique to each agent’s kit; understanding the basics of flashing will help players utilize an agent’s flash even if it has unique characteristics. Let’s learn the most effective way to flash as well as other agent specific flashing tips.
effective forms of flashing is called a pop flash. A pop flash is a flash that activates immediately upon entering the enemy’s line of sight. Pop flashes are very powerful, because if done correctly, enemies have no time to react. This mechanic is typically used when behind a wall and around a corner, so that you can swing upon execute. Since different agents execute flashes differently, there are specific ways to execute a pop flash for each agent. Because of their unique style of play and abilities, there are also other very effective forms of flashing to help you and your team get frags.
Flash Ability: FLASH/DRIVE
Primary Throw (Overhand): 1.6 sec Windup | 2.25 sec Flash Duration
Alternate Throw (Underhand): 1 sec Windup | 1.25 sec Flash Duration
KAY/O’s underhand throw should be his most utilized throw as it offers a quicker windup time, which results in easier flashing abilities, especially if the enemies are close. The underhand throwing mechanic is also the easiest way to pop flash with KAY/O. KAY/O is the most straightforward agent to achieve pop flashes since you can right click on the corner of a wall to flash enemies immediately. The underhanded throw is also great because it is easy to flash behind you, so that enemies in its sightline get blinded while you remain unaffected since the flash occurs behind you.
KAY/O’s primary throw, the overhand throw, is his less effective way of flashing. However, it is not useless. His primary throw is great for flashes that need to scale tall walls, need to go deeper into enemy lines, or throws that players have a lineup for. Flashes that activate high in the air have a higher chance of getting more enemies in its line of sight, which is why lineups for KAY/O’s overhand throw is needed.
One mistake players make is overhand throwing his flash off of a wall, so that it bounces and then activates. This is a throw that should be avoided, since the point of actuation takes so long, enemies have more time to react and turn away. Instead, waiting to get closer and throwing an underhand flash low or high, would be much more effective.
KAY/O has the most straightforward and basic flash ability, which also means it is the easiest to master compared to the other agents. His FLASH/DRIVE ability is used similarly as flashbangs in other games such as CS:GO and Call of Duty, which is why it seems the most familiar to new players.
Flash Ability: Flashpoint
.5 sec Windup | 2 sec Flash Duration
Breach’s flash ability is unique in that it needs a surface to activate through. This in a sense is a pop flash in itself with its short activation time and unexpectedness. There are a few things to note when using his flash ability. Flashing at head level, as one typically does subconsciously, is not good. When you flash at head level, it gives the opposition a rough guess as to where your head is, so that they can shoot you while blinded. Flashing high or low is distracting for the opponent which will result in not only their eyes moving, but sometimes their crosshair. It is always good to flash either high or low.
Flashing high makes it less likely that their crosshair is at head-level which leads to an advantageous duel. It also has a higher chance of flashing multiple enemies. However, if you flash high and an enemy is close, it will not be effective in blinding them. Flashing low when they are close works in the same way that flashing high works well if they are further away. Using context and information gathered, choosing whether to flash high or low works best in the given situation.
Unlike some other Initiators and Duelists, Breach cannot effectively push his own flash. His Flashpoint ability is most effective when a teammate pushes immediately after your flash activates. It takes too long to flash behind a wall and then peek in most scenarios, so make sure you communicate with your teammates when executing a play using Flashpoint.
Flash Ability: Guiding Light
Up to 2.5 sec Windup | 1-2.25 sec Flash Duration
Skye’s flash ability is unique because the player chooses when and if the flash activates, using a bird trinket to guide it through the area. Skye is very effective in pop flashing because of how quickly players can activate the flash. If you stand close to a corner and flash immediately upon the bird’s turn of the corner, it flashes very effectively and quickly. Because of its speed, it allows you to move with your flash quick enough to push your own flash unlike Breach. To move the bird even faster, aiming it and directing it towards a wall will let the bird ride the wall, which allows for a quicker turn around the corner. So try aiming it towards a structure rather than out in the open.
A common mistake when using Skye’s flash is throwing it through long areas where enemies can see it coming and either shoot it or look away. Giving enemies more time to react is something you never want to do when attempting a flash play. Instead, try pop flashing or having the bird ride the wall so you can execute the long-distance travel quicker.
Skye’s speed in flashing and swinging makes her tricky to deal with. The ability to fake a flash and never activate it can make it even trickier for enemies to react to your play. Mixing up your flashes from wall-riding long throw plays (similar to KAY/O’s overhand) and pop flashing rapid plays (KAY/O’s underhand) will have opponents on the tip of their toes.
Flash Ability: Curveball
.5 sec Windup | 1.5 sec Flash Duration
Although his flash curves, it is important to remember that not every flash has to go around a corner. If the space you’re in allows it, flashing in the opposite direction of a corner has the flash going behind you, so that you’re able to swing with your flash without being blinded (similar to the KAY/O flash mechanic discussed earlier). Flashing in this style is also a good option if enemies are close, as sometimes the curveball can overextend past the enemy around the corner.
XTR is a youtuber and streamer who plays Phoenix and has innovated Phoenix’s flash mechanics. This Bang Flash is a flash that he invented and is very useful in swinging on your own flash without being affected by it. IMPORTANT: This flash can only be used on flat surfaces. Its nature is of a pop flash; however, it eliminates the drastic curve from his flash. To do it, stand up against a wall facing it and curveball the opposite direction you are going to swing and swing immediately after clicking to flash. Doing so allows the curveball to bounce off of the wall and activate behind you and to the side, so that it is effective around a corner.
This is similar to the Bang Flash; however, it does not need a flat wall and is not as effective as you have to look down to do it. It allows for a pop flash off of the floor instead of the wall. Throw your flash towards the ground and let it bounce up above you and activate.
A common mistake when using Phoenix’s Curveball ability is thinking that it has to go around a corner. Fixing that mindset allows for more innovative and dynamic flashing plays. Bouncing it off of surfaces to shorten the time and distance travelled can be effective in close contact situations.
Flash Ability: Blindside
.6 sec Windup (After Bounce) | 1.75 sec Flash Duration
Yoru’s flash is the least effective and overall worst flash in the game. The most effective way in utilizing the flash effectively is to flash behind you, so that you can peek with it. Pop flashes are harder to accomplish since it is so slow to actuate. If you are in a smoke, pop flashes become achievable. Flashing the ground at a short angle, so that it flashes outside of the smoke in front and away from you gives you a chance to push through the smoke while blinding enemies.
Yoru being a trickster, can use his flashes not with the goal of blinding, but with the goal to deceive. Throwing the flash far and away from you can bait enemies into thinking that you are in a different location. Since his flash is silent and only activates after impact, it is easy to make enemies believe that the flash came from somewhere close to where it landed. You can also use the flash to mask the sound of your teleport by timing the two noises together so that the louder flash noise can cover the teleport noise (bonus points for actually flashing someone).
A common mistake Yoru players make with their flash is using it traditionally similar to KAY/O’s and Phoenix’s flash. Bouncing it off of the wall in front of you and around the corner at head level gives the enemies your head location as well as more than enough time to react. Flashing behind (and warning your teammates) is the best way to use Yoru’s flash in a more traditional sense.
Pop flashes are the most effective way of flashing enemies in Valorant. It does not give the enemies notice nor does it give them time to react. Since there is a lot of variation with agent’s kits, there’s variation on how to achieve a pop flash. It is always important to keep in mind not to throw it at head level and always coordinate with your teammates so that they can take advantage of your flashes as well.
