Should You REALLY Be Saving In Valorant?

If you’ve ever played a tactical FPS game where there’s an economy system then chances are you know what it means to save your gun.
When a round isn’t necessarily going your way, sometimes players will opt to go hide so that they can keep their weapon for the following round.
Typically players will save AWPs or rifles because they hold a higher value. Which can lead to some pretty heroic clutches when all you’ve got is an SMG.
But in the world of Valorant, one update, back in 2020, changed all of this. In an effort to make the game more exciting, Riot altered the amount of money that players receive when they save.
The hope was that it would encourage players to go for that sweet clutch and overall the game would become more exciting for viewers.
But did it actually work as Riot intended? Is saving still worth it in Valorant? Well, today we’re going to find out.
Written by: Niall McCrossan (@niallmccrossan)
Hosted by: Dimitri Pascaluta (@DPascaluta) and Colten Gowan (@TheOnlyZoltan)
Edited by: Colten Gowan (@TheOnlyZoltan)
Produced by: Keith Capstick (@KeithCapstick) & Niall McCrossan (@niallmccrossan)
Thumbnail by: Bennett Grainger (Instagram: @bennettgrainger)
Production Assistance by: Nicolas Buck
All footage courtesy: pastebin.com/Q...
Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).
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[@alexanderdejesus4986]

as a stats major the graphs and having someone properly communicate the statistics makes the video even more interesting.

[@paradoxreboot]

i agree as a math major, that was the most interesting and informative parts ive seen from one of these

[@ttttt23932]

Please explain what the hell Z tests and T tests are like I’m 5

[@paradoxreboot]

@@ttttt23932 sure, why not. Both Z score and T score are a measure of how far away form the mean you are. For a z score, it is literally the number of standard deviations you are away from the mean, with a z score of 0 meaning you are at the mean, and a z score of -2.2 means you are 2.2 SDs less than the mean. T score is fundamentally the same, except a z score is used for populations and large samples where a t score can be applied to smaller sample sizes. Another difference is the T test is centered around 50, with a deviation of 10 (e. 40 or 60) interpreted as 1 Standard deviation away. Importantly, you can use a T test when the population standard deviation is unkown. Not really a ELI5 but more of ELI am in my first stats class. hope this was clear!

[@Namjusap]

@@paradoxreboot you make my brain explode thank you

[@natsuno.]

@@paradoxreboot that did not make it any better but thank you

[@johnwhead3476]

This is one of the big points I bring up when people say csgo is the same as valorant, the economy is really different.

[@ManasChachra]

Who tf says cs is same as valorant, it literally has a shit ton of abilities u can do, cs is very bland in comparison and only relies on aim

[@NNRobert]

@@ManasChachra Not entirely true, it just has different ways as they both have flashes, smokes, even stuns each game just does it differently. And their mechanics are basically the same for the most part in the aim category.

[@lightningcat6382]

@@ManasChachra only aim hahahaa *cries while learning 50+ nade lineups

[@r4gem0dus34]

@@ManasChachra In Valorant you don‘t even need aim haha, just hold a corner and click at the right time. Even when u run away u still hit. Cs:go you can outplay someone with good movement while in valorant someone will literally just dash in with spectre and run and gun you ;)

[@relinquiem]

@@r4gem0dus34 you dont wanna talk about csgos sniping shotguns dont you?

[@DavidPixleythemuzzlZ]

Utility also plays a large roll. In CSGO, full utility lost from a death is just that much more to loose. Also, 2 exit frags is a $400 gain and two enemy rifles lost (in vawowant).

[@Kmn483]

Good point. Saving unused skills even if you die and getting 1 signature at the start of round is huge.

[@theo9832]

So eco rounds in csgo, to be fair while it may not be easy to win a round it's very easy to take away some guns and while growing your economy, slowly breaking the enemy's

[@P1nstr1p3]

Super happy to see someone talking math, error, and possibility about a tactics shooter! Would love to get a more detailed breakdown of esports statistics!

[@BIONICTHUMB]

Thats actually something I do enjoy about playing Valorant is how the only time you really need to save is like if you have an Op or if you are on the other side of the map and they are defusing already with no hope of you meeting anything other than a firing squad. In reality any situation you can make do with just a specter and light armor, anything more makes it easier but isn't completely necessary

[@gagers78]

Nah spectre light is not good enough, any ranged fight you basically lose by default, a rifle and light is good enough, bulldog is like the bare minimum for a buy round.

[@gagers78]

@@anortherner no shit, but you don't have that much control over the range unless you're playing ct, and even then the spectre isn't a 1 shot headshot which really hurts it. Sure you will win some fights but 90% of the time against rifles I would rather have a sheriff or marshall

[@CodeWeaverCW]

Kinda interesting how Riot's goal was to make saving less attractive, but as Dani said, lowering the cap from 12k¤ to 9k¤ made saving a more common choice as teams with 12k would make riskier plays… If I had to guess, I'd say saving didn't become more/less viable but that saves from both teams became more rhythmic, which is still great IMO.

[@DeTona7OrCS]

so we know that Jame 100% is sticking to CSGO for a long time and not switching to Valorant

[@kassius9283]

PLS NO 😆😆

[@pepanusik]

True

[@albertdinh705]

A lot of people will stick to CS for a very long time and never switch to Val. Why do you sound like switching is something must be done eventually?

[@opsoo2229]

@@nottucks nobodys telling you to

[@Hema115]

@@nottucks no one asked

[@LightRecce]

Valorant is just living through cs go's life cycle now. Remember the "force every round with armor p250 meta" ? Yeah, thats Valo right now. Don't force every round, esp. if you're below high plat.

[@tacoman5731]

Val is way past the Force phase, that was over a year ago in the Stinger round 2/3 every time and when you're broke. Back when Stinger could outgun the phantom close range and run and gun was busted. As well as how the bucky right click was broken as well. Val will always have a buy focused gameplay as there is such a low number of rounds in a half.

[@tjfong1688]

"Don't save in Valorant" Jame has left the server

[@ububugagaga]

"jame wants to know your location"

[@asianmelk211]

I see the Turbodork’s love for Ina and Vienna HOLOLIVE FOR LIFE

[@DrSharknome]

Hey that’s me @ 11:00 , cool to see :) really enjoyed the video!

[@Enak147]

The best parts of these is just getting to see which Vtuber Colton is watching this week. Vienna's a great choice 👍

[@leloyqy]

Dragon mommy

[@joshwew9551]

I see Colton supporting C9 Vienna there :)

[@GabrielBotelho9]

I like the every weapon is usable in Valorant. It gives us more options.

[@seanunger9726]

5:32 Yes, I love receiving my Round Loss Bouns.

[@gfueladdict5655]

so a whole 16 minute video with a shit ton of stats just to conclude that whether u shd save or not is situational, very helpful.

[@bluesrike]

Colten once again showing he's a man of culture by having Vienna on the screen behind him.

[@caillet14]

Colton simping for Vienna in the background

[@oliversanfelipe]

5:40 misspelled "bonus"

[@allanphilip]

The Cadian clutch is the new Olofboost/Coldzera AWP

[@PiratePackLive]

“A piece of themselves “ gold haha

[@BXRSVRK]

Imagine a person googled that and it led him to this video with his hopes being that he will get the answer ''yes'' or ''no'' and hears: We're gonna find out in today's video (15 mins of explanation)

[@TheMechanicritic]

Vienna spotted in the background!

[@I_nvxz]

Did anyone notice "ROUND LOSS BOUNS"

[@megakingz15]

9:33 last time its was bao now its vienna? haha

[@ChiefGore429]

I like to spend right away and go for clutch plays.

[@fadhilyudistira8819]

I'm happy Colton didn't explain the full math shenanigans. me and statistics aren't good friends.

[@YY096]

My general rule is if im losing an eco round but somehow got ar from enemy, go save. Otherwise its all or nothing.

[@visweshwaranbaskaran4616]

why would you save an enemy gun in your eco round? you are anyway gonna be able to buy a gun next round with it, go do something useful with that AR

[@YY096]

@@visweshwaranbaskaran4616 I'm not a duelist main, so if i get ar on eco usually i give them to my duelist or buy them something so they can save for op. Basically building my team eco. I play sova or chamber anyway my utility have a high impact already, as long as i didn't die first my utility can win the round without a big gun, also brim stim+spectre is broken bro im run and gun with it to open site, like.... Shit is broken, they nerf it tho hahahaha.

[@Teelie_]

idk bout you, but I always use a stinger until I'm maxed then get 2 ops maybe more if I live, or stick to stinger and buy for teammates

[@krishiv2021]

I just clutched clicking on this video

[@terserahterserah6950]

Its really okay to save, but if you are defender, go to the area where the attacker would go back to avoid the bomb explosion to get easy kill and get additional money, except if you ssving op

[@TPixelAdventures]

9:35 - Colten got that Ina supremacy going on. The Tentacult reaches far and wide indeed. (also, that Vienna XD)

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

W A H

[@PhilipHubbe]

Imagine if they change classic right click to Glock right click. I think it would be the perfect classic nerf

[@robotmeister009]

Great find on the analytics section ngl

[@tristanmillett7030]

tell colton i like his moustache

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

I'll let him know ;)

[@lucaspiquini1933]

Who doesn't love some Round Loss Bouns

[@Ryuts0]

10:07 >Ina wall scroll >Watching Vienna stream Colten is my favorite vtuber simp at TheScore

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

To be fair there aren't many to choose from xD

[@Ryuts0]

@@TheOnlyZoltan Holy shit the man himself forcing Dimitri down the rabbithole

[@gabrielfang4109]

9:35 vienna lol

[@bytheauthor7145]

I feel that you also neglect to mention the change in agent costs and gun cost reworks that came a while back

[@Pejatube]

omg please explain what an ULT is 14:15 in nerdy economy guide. Up next: primary rifle explanation

[@StefanLopuszanski]

Good point. Maybe the knife should give bonus income on a kill then.

[@sameez8701]

Immo 75rr right now, I will never not save after loosing pistol round, it doesn’t make sense to force the 50/50 and either go against guns the next round, or have no money and have to save the other teams bonus

[@rin6332]

last line got me...

[@senny9141]

CLUTCH or KICK: 100Thieves edition

[@jasperpearce3710]

Link to Cadian more tenuous than usual

[@hinderrr3888]

im happy with 3 on split rn

[@procoolgamer3875]

"This is why knifing someone in valorant is genuinely pointless" Me asking the enemy to knife and just pull out odin and win the round Also me with the satisfaction when getting a rare knife kill

[@Relax-il7zn]

Wait is it just me or is what Dani said the complete opposite of how it works. He said before the update people would never save because they'd be rich no matter what. And after the update people save more? Am I missing something?

[@andre-da-gamer1239]

Please do a STORY on STREET FIGHTER

[@nwxzzz]

if youre 1 shot just save the rifle based on the situation. but ive seen people with full hp+armour completely giving up and saving. not even going for exit frags when they have money for the next round lmao.

[@stephie1949]

the league player that switched to valorant, jokes on you I play both

[@Hasui17]

that BOUNS disturb me a lot

[@smarth5010]

another awesome video as always keep going

[@Evrgarden]

Riot literally did this to make pro scene more entertaining lmao.

[@serbiagamingiscool515]

"rounds loss bouns" Yeah i do love earning more bouns for each loss my friend D:

[@algallero3310]

ina poster pog

[@oatmeels1880]

I know i noticed that too haha

[@pachi2797]

was trynna find someone else who noticed lmaooo

[@ichigo5934]

Coltons name should have been "The only guy who knows what he's talking about", i didnt understand anything he was saying

[@haj4975]

As a chamber/jett main i barely ever save and have an op or ult the entire game.(ult farmer btw)

[@FernandoSanchez-yq4jo]

Dude what's the point of the eco guns in CS if they don't really work Props to daddy riot for making almost every gun viable

[@papabeer4567]

Colten you here ?

[@lesarandmira3689]

Knifing one in Valo is more off like a disrespect than in CSGO. Knifing in CSGO=money and Valo=Emotional damage.

[@dexterity494]

Trent "trent" Cairns ah yes

[@nicknt9328]

9:35 wah and bao

[@Cheezeeeee]

that last part was hilarious 😂

[@ReadyVal]

As someone who played League for 10 years now playing Valorant, I cannot agree more :)

[@sergokovaltsov3427]

Great video, but cropping Cadian's clutch is a cardinal sin

[@iHurt21]

I mean its better to save a gun worth 2900 credits or 4700 credits for a 1900credits.

[@Autospaced]

I was a league player who switched to valorant… masters in league and immortal in valorant

[@eugeneholt4786]

who asked

[@jaw9095]

@@eugeneholt4786 Actually, ill let you know that i used to play minecraft for 8 years and now im a radiant in valorant- 🤓

[@bienmicoorteguia4690]

My friends want me to save because the the gun that i picked up the ground have skin on it ;-;

[@flaviorubio6215]

I only save the AWP.

[@goldenoodles6281]

Knifing in valorant = chalked mental. That's a gg.

[@zxcvboo819]

When he called valorant riot shooter

[@luxyj4728]

Seeing the pros 4 man save while I'm struggling to get the teammate with op vs a viper pit to save 🤣🤣

[@jayvala6655]

I like the BOUNS this video gave me👀

[@shazbots]

What's that anime video in the background when Colten Gown was talking? (i.e. 9:39)

[@ConHtm]

Its a vtuber Bao

[@in_direct]

i just relized colton is a man of culture🗿☕

[@NoBrainJustAim]

Why are they calling them PHANDALS I thought its Vandals

[@gregbyrne6909]

What Danival is saying just seems wrong. He says the new update made people poorer, so they save. but losing (and not saving) is still the same amount of money. Maybe he misunderstood the question?

[@DarkenEdgez]

When told to save, I always respond with "I'm here for a good time, not a long time" Even better when you get that 1v5 clutch

[@hirofa5678]

yooo I'ma save this to my fav vids.

[@neoyongli]

I actually saw "should I save valorant" at first

[@devil2427]

I almost never save unless i have to buy an op

[@uzair1145]

These videos are literally soo good always makes me click on them just like I want to click on enemy’s head

[@winslowgordon2396]

Only these videos I don't actually miss..

[@ThreatLevelMDNGHT]

8:33 I never see glocks win against AK's

[@pro-nze1587]

a knife kill was never about the extra credit at least 4 me

[@robotsix6268]

Valorant's loss bouns is kinda broken.

[@duyvo6646]

When will knifing someone benefits your economy more, just like CS. Please put that in an update later this year Rito =))

[@Aquamarine175]

csgo is so much better thought than valorant. thats why csgo is better

[@caspyberry4951]

goated channel

[@artimesium]

A league player who swapped to val.. i feel called out

[@cheshire5830]

Lost bouns has gotta be a new thing!

[@minigamit]

So sad to see S1mple at 8:56.

[@netuno_rl5426]

Still waiting you to talk about LOUD team

[@miamiassassin13]

@5:56 what are Bouns?? 😅 Another great vid!

[@エージェントキラ]

Everybody: talking about weather saving is worth it Me in my mind: Damn colten rlly watchin c9 vienna, lol nice Edit: colten nice mustache btw

[@Monsterthatsunderyourbed]

Dimitri: "When all you got is a measly little pistol and a dream" Me: Sir I'll have you know me and my big iron go way back to my first clutch and ace in Valorant, after that day I swore myself to the Sheriff and only bought guns for my teammates as well as drop any vandal or op I ever picked up unless my teammates wanted it

[@leander2958]

2?

[@arkozhs]

i hope jett main that saving oper see this.

[@miguelsalunga9244]

why save if u can win