IS Valorant REALLY Pay to Win?

I took a shallow dive into Riot's revenue generating system in Valorant. That is... SKINS. I wanted to see if buying skins had any noticeable effects on my matchingmaking and games. Whether that be me going up against lesser enemies or me somehow finding better teammates.
My experiment involved playing two regular solo queue games without purchasing anything (I already had skins equipped) and then two games after purchasing $54.11 worth of nightmarket skins. My findings were actually kinda unexpected to say the least.
If you read this and wanna support me, then please subscribe! Also check out my socials all linked in my channel.
Also here’s my night market reveal!
• INSANE NIGHT MARKET
#valorant #gaming

[@HendrixValorant]

Here’s the short of my night market reveal! kzbin.info8IAlqvDMJhY?si=zf5ehtcafRVJsMpc

[@ITSMON4RCH]

Its not that Valorant is pay to win, its just that we as humans feel nice about something premium and thus we feel we are doing better. Talking in the game's context, I noticed how skins affected me a lot when I was in lower ranks (silver, gold), but as I rose through them, I realised the better you get, the lesser you focus on skins and more on what is actually happening in the game. I can still perform better and worse both with or without skins, its just that those glowing animations and sound make the experience a little better (which is generally the point of skins in any game)

[@Dark々Samurai]

You play good when you feel good and one thing I can say is that skins make you feel damn good.

[@HendrixValorant]

Oh for sure. Mental and feel of the game are very important🫡😌

[@sssniperwolfsbiggestfan1]

got this in my recommended. good vid bro. i love the editing and storytelling

[@HendrixValorant]

@@sssniperwolfsbiggestfan1 thank you for the kind words man. I’m really glad you enjoyed the video😌🙏🏻

[@Rose333X]

Short answer: no, its placebo, it gives you boosted confidence for a few rounds until you start whiffing and then you become dogshit again. long naswer: same, placebo until the high wares off and youre dogshit again.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Rose333X hey, for me, I’m always bad so going from bad to bad ain’t too crazy a transition😌

[@luminescentpanda1]

no way u only have 200 subs i just noticed that INSANELY underrated much love ❤❤❤

[@HendrixValorant]

@@luminescentpanda1 thank you so much for the kind words🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@zen9607]

The reason we play better with skins than without is because when were seeing things we like on the screen its the same as feeling excited after a round win. Your body puts out dopamine which makes you less anxious, thus giving better performance.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@zen9607 ahh good point. Never thought of it that way

[@fsonetwork]

Good premise, and not a bad theory as I'm skeptical of the same shenanigans throughout the entire Riot system even since I became a developer. However, you need a much larger sample size to really get any sort of idea on if this is just a feeling or a true theory to follow.

[@HendrixValorant]

Thank you and thank you for watching. Also wow that’s cool that you’re a dev :0 But yea I’d love to do a much deeper dive next time, it just takes a long time with each game being nearly an hour and then video production on top of that😅😅

[@fsonetwork]

@@HendrixValorant I may have phrased that improperly and given the wrong impression so I wish to be clear.. I'm not a Dev for Riot.. just a software developer. I meant that my understanding of coding systems merely heightened my suspicions. :) Cheers.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@fsonetwork ohhh I get you. Anyway have a good day!

[@AshRizme]

nah this should've blowed up, awesome content

[@HendrixValorant]

@@AshRizme thank you. Hopefully I can blow up one day😌

[@jaozindeboas]

1:18 wtf was that gekko strafe lmao

[@HendrixValorant]

@@jaozindeboas I have no idea what bro was doing😭😭

[@Kun-e8o]

Watching the video I totaly forgot it was about skins mid way the video

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Kun-e8o lolll I can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing😅

[@Essteeen]

I saw that ' diddy Edition , nice easter egg ::::)

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Essteeen lolll thank you! (:

[@katkilgour9480]

Good vid, had fun watching it even if I did already know the answer lol, shocked you only have 173 subs

[@HendrixValorant]

@@katkilgour9480 aw I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the kind words 🫶🏻

[@otysafiry]

I'll be honest, the sounds of some guns do help me time my burst timings better, but besides that it doesn't really matter overall for skins, and it's an overall personal preference on if that type of thing can help you.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@otysafiry for me sometimes the tracers actually do help my spray pattern like subtle things like that play a part I feel like😅

[@richitouwu6764]

Bro, this channel is so underrated, nice vidio

[@HendrixValorant]

@@richitouwu6764 thank you for the kind words😌and have a good day🙏🏻

[@richitouwu6764]

@@HendrixValorant Im from mexico, but i understand english really good, so i like watching your videos

[@HendrixValorant]

@ aw thanks man! It makes me really happy to hear that people enjoy my content! (:

[@2amPEZ]

Hey man, I just wanted to say that I am currently trying to make my first long form Val vid. And I think you are underrated and insanely talented with editing, any tips?

[@HendrixValorant]

@@2amPEZ aw thanks man. This was my first highly produced/ edited video I’ve made. I’ve been editing on and off since 2020 so I’ve got a good amount of experience. My main advice is use your own creativity and style but also incorporate editing styles you enjoy watching! I spent about 20 hours editing this video, so it’s gonna take awhile. Also usually less is more when it comes to video length. Only put in parts of the video that are entertaining to a general audience! Hope this helps and good luck!!

[@2amPEZ]

@@HendrixValorant thank you I really appreciate it, it means a lot for the info what your doing is a big dream of mine❤️

[@HendrixValorant]

@@2amPEZ of course! Good luck on the journey. I’m excited to see your first long form vid😌

[@Qwertypaige600]

For me I feel like I do worse with skins, especially if it changes the sound of shooting. I don’t own any skins because the prices are insane but every time I pick up someone else’s gun I feel like I do worse than when I buy a base gun.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Qwertypaige600 that’s fair. For sure having a consistent feel with a gun could lead to consistently playing well with said gun. Personally, I buy skins because they feel and sound so cool😅

[@TobyIsSoVeryCool]

YES FINALLY SOMEONE WITH A DECENT TASTE IN MUSIC

[@HendrixValorant]

@@TobyIsSoVeryCool LOLLL, you mess with the background music?😌🤝🏼

[@TobyIsSoVeryCool]

@@HendrixValorant I didn’t notice any background music tbh I was talking abt the part where you said that laufey was one of your fav artists

[@HendrixValorant]

@@TobyIsSoVeryCool OHHHH. YEA SHES THE BESTTTT!!!😌🤝🏼

[@NokyNeo]

Damn this was a good video, remind me to subscribe to you in an hour

[@HendrixValorant]

COME BACK AND SUBSCRIBE!!!

[@ScaryTerry9000]

genuinely was 10 minutes in the video before i realized this wasnt a big youtuber 200 subs really surprised me

[@HendrixValorant]

@@ScaryTerry9000 thanks a ton for the kind words🙏🏻. Maybe one day I’ll become a bigger channel😅

[@nicocooles400r9]

The fact that he tried turning real life I do the same

[@HendrixValorant]

@@nicocooles400r9 bro stop😭 I do that every time💀

[@jaxdipietro7374]

you have 81 subscribers? this is entertaining you deserve more bro keep it up

[@HendrixValorant]

@@jaxdipietro7374 thank you!!(:

[@kdisk8020]

nice vid but like holy man my head hurts from the shere amount of sound effects and cuts etc (this is like close to mr beast amount of effects)

[@HendrixValorant]

@@kdisk8020 thank you! Yea I was trying out a new more poppy type of editing style😌

[@kdisk8020]

@@HendrixValorant I think that there is nothing wrong with that eidoting style. The thing is that it is way more appealing for younger kids while the topic really isn’t that interesting to said kids

[@HendrixValorant]

@@kdisk8020 ah I see. Thank you for the insight🙏🏻

[@imortalnamrznja]

Nah I just don't wanna lose the skin I picked up and that's why I tend to do better than without skin

[@HendrixValorant]

@@imortalnamrznja ohhh you mean like you get more kills without skins bc you’re more willing to fight than to be scared of losing your skins?

[@imortalnamrznja]

@@HendrixValorant No quiet the opposite because when I have the skin I tend to be more clam so I don't die and lose it while with regular default skin I wouldnt care as much because I can buy it next round

[@HendrixValorant]

@ ohhh that’s interesting. I didn’t really think of it that way

[@basedsocko5574]

very fun viceo but I would love it even more if you made a video entirely about your cat, that is a beautiful and majestic lady

[@HendrixValorant]

I’ve actually got a video about my cat in the works that’s related to valorant😌

[@HendrixValorant]

But thank you so much for the kind words!🫶🏻

[@wasdkid-x8u]

5:52 the jet gave you a one way

[@HendrixValorant]

@@wasdkid-x8u lolll idk why the sage was running at me with a slow tho😭

[@josies2718]

ON GOD IVE NEVER WON A GAME AFTER BUYING A SKIN

[@josies2718]

Also a body shot beluga 🥲🥲🥲

[@HendrixValorant]

We need to stop buying skins altogether ✋🤡

[@HendrixValorant]

@@josies2718 my hs% has been literally 10 or less lately it’s so bad☠️

[@supremeinmotion]

the editing is so funny

[@HendrixValorant]

@@supremeinmotion thank you!

[@craftal9935]

You had skins for the whole 4 rounds😂, am I wrong?

[@yume_no_shadow]

bro did a "with skin vs with skin video" ?

[@alchovate]

love the editing bro

[@HendrixValorant]

Thank you! It took awhile(‘:

[@HC-qe8ii]

Hey, is there a way to validate if riot and its server is manipulating each player's whiff, as it can make sure most players are hooked and create illusion of buying skin will be better.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@HC-qe8ii I’m not sure if there’s a surefire way, but I’ll probably look into it and post my findings in the form a video!😌

[@axonzxx]

just changed my acc, also flawers here. nice video tho, it may be useful to a lot of beginners so they wont be spending money unless they want those cool animations

[@HendrixValorant]

@@axonzxx thank you!

[@GamerMonster9949]

man when u played the first game i saw ur aim i was like ur gold or smthing but PLAT 2? thats crazy but good vid!

[@HendrixValorant]

@@GamerMonster9949 lolll sometimes I aim like Tenz and others like FNS😭😭 however I did peak diamond 2 pretty recently. I just play a lot of 5 stacks with friends where it’s really hard to climb😅😅

[@HendrixValorant]

@@GamerMonster9949 but thank you so much!!! (:

[@GamerMonster9949]

@HendrixValorant ME too and when I play bad I just get blamed all day and when I play good no one say anything and I don't have friends to play with I just have 2 friends that are gold-silver and when I play with them they play bad in play lobbies "I'm plat 2"

[@HendrixValorant]

@@GamerMonster9949 if they blame you, then they’ll always be lower rank lol. Also if you don’t like playing with them, then find others to play with! It’s all about having fun at the end of the day

[@GamerMonster9949]

@HendrixValorant yeah I know having fun is the best and good thing before yesterday I found someone to play with he is so nice and funny to play with and instead of playing the game I chat with him more xd Btw when I try to reply to a comment like @... it doesn't come blue like u do why? It comes white

[@susgofres]

if buying skins make the team somehow play better, im spending all my money

[@HendrixValorant]

@@susgofres that’s what I’m trying to find out. Like plz take my money💀💀💀

[@susgofres]

@HendrixValorant Well, the first step is to play the game, the second is to have the money... the second is complicated.

[@HendrixValorant]

@@susgofres so true😭

[@Chettya]

you have a cat ???? Thats it im subbing rn

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Chettya yess!! Making a vid starring him soon! Also love your profile pic!😌🫶🏻

[@PeeyushPatil]

3:27 KJ has a riot buddy??!!!!

[@HendrixValorant]

@@PeeyushPatil so many people just randomly have it in my lobbies. Like 1/5 games there’s someone with one😭

[@PeeyushPatil]

@HendrixValorant hope you get one too man 🍻

[@HendrixValorant]

@@PeeyushPatil I hope you do as well! 😌🤝🏼

[@prachuryadebnath5874]

i peaked imo on my main id with skins and asc on my alt without any skins(just 1 act). so skins doesnt make sense

[@HendrixValorant]

@@prachuryadebnath5874 oh wow, you’re pretty high rank😅. In what ways do skins not make sense?

[@JustinFr123]

its the placebo effect

[@HendrixValorant]

@@JustinFr123 it sure as heck works tho😭

[@kian5366]

buying skins and picking up skins boost ego, no skins doesn't really boost ego and you need to boost it "manually"

[@HendrixValorant]

@@kian5366 yea that makes sense for sure

[@Vaizio]

you've got remember the kill sound when you've got skins and compared to not skins, its much more addicting (headshots), why is the grading sheet called diddy edition... and i realized that you still played with skins the first 2 games, maybe some you already had, but maybe next time go full standard loadout (:

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Vaizio that’s true! Also the sheet is called that bc I left a lot of editing Easter eggs I was hoping the audience would find like yourself (: Also yea you’re right. I’ll def keep that in mind to be more strict on other videos! However, thank you for watching!!! 🫶🏻

[@H16Ta]

how do u now have 1m subs yet ur soo good

[@HendrixValorant]

@@H16Ta aw thanks man! I appreciate the kind words🙏🏻

[@dayanfaik2136]

i think you got some biases in your theory. for example that you lost more games with new skins, and losing a game automatically makes it a "worse" game. so it should be at least 1W 1L for both to be actually comparable. Also you already have skins in the first two games, so its doesnt really make sense to compare in the first place

[@alx_slav4068]

pretty nice video keep this up

[@HendrixValorant]

@@alx_slav4068 thank you! I’ll try my best (:

[@sanction2185]

wdym how did you lose 19 rr? 20-18 is nearly 0 impact bud 😭

[@HendrixValorant]

@@sanction2185 hey man I’m used to playing 5 stacks with my friends where we usually only lose 12-15 RR and sometimes less if we play okay😭😭

[@DTS1412]

your game play is good bro like the vid idea if u wanna team up sometimes and make some vids would be great aight ahm see ya buddy

[@HendrixValorant]

@@DTS1412 thanks man! I’ll keep that in mind too🫶🏻

[@astroo.69]

You feel better, you play better as easy as that

[@HendrixValorant]

@@astroo.69 trueee

[@FlameingSlayer]

The only p2w thing abt val is the aiming thing with a sheriff skin

[@HendrixValorant]

@@FlameingSlayer what aiming thing? :0

[@FlameingSlayer]

@@HendrixValorant theres like a skin that allows you to right click zoom with sherif

[@HendrixValorant]

@@FlameingSlayer wait that’s crazy😭😭. You’re not talking about chamber’s q ability either right? :0

[@FlameingSlayer]

@@HendrixValorant wym chamber q abillity?

[@HendrixValorant]

@ his head hunter ability

[@milenanakova9341]

My guy what skins did you buy?

[@HendrixValorant]

@@milenanakova9341 in the pinned comment🙏🏻

[@s1implle]

pls tell me the name of the back ground music

[@HendrixValorant]

@@s1implle there’s like 4 or 5 different songs. Do you want all of them?😅😅

[@PantherD-g1q]

Dude i will love playing with u

[@HendrixValorant]

@@PantherD-g1q aw thanks haha, why’s that?😅

[@theprop1004]

Hi , do you need an editor for your videos?

[@HendrixValorant]

@@theprop1004 Yea, go ahead and dm me on instagram! My instagram is on my KZbin bio (:

[@theprop1004]

@@HendrixValorant I messaged you there

[@Vinosia_Plays]

you did it all wrong you should've played with al the default skins and then move to your skin setup

[@ellaredmond3164]

Here to make amends with Bento 🙏

[@HendrixValorant]

@@ellaredmond3164 he forgives you of your sins🙏🏻

[@kiansunbeatable]

my guy you also had skins before

[@vladzvr1235]

No it's not pay to win, im bad at it and I lose every game since I got to ascendant 1

[@HendrixValorant]

Oh nooo😭. Best of luck on your future games🫡

[@birdsarentrealbro]

No sir, i bought the Singularity vandal and my stats went up. I gained like 150RR since buying it, swear to god

[@HendrixValorant]

@@birdsarentrealbro 150?!?!? I’m lucky to even go positive after buying any skins😭😭 Congrats on the RR and nice skin tho!!😌

[@33ZRAA]

good info...saved me some money :)

[@HendrixValorant]

I mean but them skins is nice brothuh😔

[@33ZRAA]

@@HendrixValorant true ill probably drop the bag when I see the prelude vandal

[@HendrixValorant]

@@33ZRAA as you should🥲

[@klenjio266]

IS Valorant REALLY Pay to Win? yes

[@chenzuk5704]

Hidden gem dont keep it hidden 🔥🔥

[@HendrixValorant]

@@chenzuk5704 omg thank you!!🙏🏻 🫶🏻

[@chillvibez8728]

Yes it is the skin makes ypur aim better

[@HendrixValorant]

@@chillvibez8728 there’s some skins I actually just can’t hit anything with even tho they feel/ look cool😔

[@whoisAPT38]

extreamly small sample group

[@HendrixValorant]

Yeaaaa ik ik. I’m planning on doing more later but it just takes so long😅😅

[@zensari]

change the way you do your text

[@eggheadv2]

Should i buy xenohunter after i get my vp

[@HendrixValorant]

@@eggheadv2 what does vp mean? Also which xenohhunter skin?! :0

[@eggheadv2]

@@HendrixValorant valorant point and the knife

[@HendrixValorant]

@@eggheadv2 oh then most definitely. That knife is fire🫡

[@nikaelite4012]

good vid

[@HendrixValorant]

@@nikaelite4012 thank you! 🙏🏻

[@sharkplayzyt6156]

what dat crosshair code

[@HendrixValorant]

0;s;1;P;c;5;o;1;f;0;0t;0;0l;0;0o;0;0a;0;0f;0;1t;1;1l;4;1o;3;1a;1;1m;0;1f;0;S;c;0;o;1

[@HendrixValorant]

i gotchu dawg

[@Jeff-zf6zz]

It isn't pay to win. Some of y'all think the skins make us better, no it doesn't. Y'all just have skill issues. ( And also monetary issues as well. Get a job)

[@HendrixValorant]

@@Jeff-zf6zz you don’t think there’s any small advantages for certain players especially the mental players who like having the same consistent sounds/ visuals for their guns?😅