Valorant Agent Unlock Guide 2026: Contracts and VP
By May 2026 Valorant has 27 agents, and Riot adds a new one roughly every 6 months. New players get 5 agents instantly; the rest must be earned via contracts or bought with VP. Here is every unlock path available in 2026.
Starter agents and access
When you first log in, you instantly own 5 agents:
- Brimstone
- Phoenix
- Jett
- Sova
- Sage
After account level 20, you pick 2 more agents free through the first Agent Contract. Everything else requires grind or VP.
Agent Contracts: the classic path
An Agent Contract in 2026 has 5 chapters, each unlocked at 200 000 XP (1 000 000 XP total). The 5th chapter delivers the agent; the other 4 give cards, sprays and Radianite.
How much time per agent:
- A ranked match averages ~3000 XP, Unrated ~2300 XP.
- 1 000 000 XP = ~330 ranked games or ~430 Unrated.
- That is 30–40 hours of play per agent.
Agent Recruitment Event: the fast path
Since 2024 Riot has run an Agent Recruitment Event at each new agent launch. It lasts 3 weeks after release and includes:
- 35 000 XP unlocks the new agent (vs 1 000 000 XP in the regular contract).
- 7 daily challenges, each = 5000 XP.
- Bonus cards and sprays for the new agent.
After the event ends, the agent moves into the regular 1 000 000 XP contract.
Buying an agent with VP
If you do not have time to grind:
| Option | VP price | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Single agent (after contract) | 1000 VP | $9.99 |
| Agent Bundle (all agents) | 8100 VP | ~$80 |
| Agent Bundle Premium (all + bonuses) | 12 600 VP | ~$125 |
In 2026 the Agent Bundle unlocks every current agent at once, including the newest from the latest act. Bought from the in-client store, activated instantly.
Cost of unlocking missing agents in 2026
If you already own 15 agents and need 12 more:
- 12 × 1000 VP = 12 000 VP ($120) one by one.
- Agent Bundle = 8100 VP ($80) — better deal if fewer than 18 agents unlocked.
- Contracts = 0 VP but 360+ hours of play.
New-account strategy for 2026
- Push your account to level 20 (~5 hours).
- Take Killjoy or Reyna through the first contract.
- Then focus on one role (Duelist/Controller/Sentinel/Initiator) and grind that contract.
- Join every Agent Recruitment Event when a new agent launches — cheapest way to add fresh agents.
Buy VP for Agent Bundle from outside region
Riot does not accept many regional cards. With Marix you buy 8100 VP in your local currency and activate the Agent Bundle from the in-game shop — every agent unlocked in one purchase.