If you’ve just started playing Valorant, reaching level 20 is your first big goal. That’s the level that unlocks ranked play, allowing you to compete in Competitive mode. While leveling up can feel like a grind, understanding how Valorant’s progression works makes the journey much faster.
Valorant uses Account Points (AP) to level up, not XP which only counts toward agent contracts and battle passes. Each level requires 5000 AP, and maximizing your AP gain per session is the key to leveling fast.
Understanding the Valorant Leveling System
When you’re under level 10, you earn boosted AP rates — 4000 AP for your first daily win, 4 AP every six seconds played, and 200 AP per victory. Once you pass level 10, the bonuses drop significantly to 1000 AP for the first win and around 50–150 AP per match win.
That means the early stages are crucial. Make the most of this acceleration window by playing consistently every day, especially while you still get those bonus rewards.
The Fastest Game Modes to Level Up
Among all Valorant game modes, Spike Rush stands out as the best for quick leveling. Each match takes about 8–12 minutes and rewards roughly 1000 XP, around 100 XP per minute. It beats even perfect Unrated matches in efficiency.
If you want some variety without losing progress speed, Swiftplay is a great alternative. It takes around 15 minutes and provides up to 2250 XP per match. Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch are also solid options for short sessions, rewarding up to 1000 XP in under 10 minutes.
Daily and Weekly Rewards Matter
Don’t skip the First Win of the Day bonus — it gives 1000 AP (4000 AP if you’re below level 10) and resets every 22 hours. This single bonus can save hours of grind time over a week.
Valorant also includes checkpoints and weekly missions that grant massive XP. Completing weekly tasks can add up to over 700000 XP per Act, with objectives like dealing damage, landing headshots, or winning rounds. Team Deathmatch is ideal for fulfilling headshot and damage goals, while longer modes like Unrated help complete round-based tasks.
Optimizing Playtime for Fast Progress
The average player reaches level 20 after about 60–100 hours of gameplay. However, if you focus on Spike Rush, daily rewards, and weekly missions, especially during the level 10 bonus period, you can cut that down to around 40–50 hours.
Valorant rewards consistency more than marathon sessions. Play shorter daily matches to maximize bonuses, and vary your modes to keep things engaging while still making progress.
With the right approach, hitting level 20 won’t feel like a grind — it’ll just be part of your natural gameplay rhythm. Once you’re there, the ranked battlefield awaits.
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