How to Unlock a New Agent in VALORANT: XP, KC and VP

Short answer: every new VALORANT Agent launches with an automatic 28-day Agent Recruitment Event. Earn eligible XP to hit the event target and unlock the Agent for free, or use VP for immediate access. After the event ends, an unowned Agent moves to the Agent Store, where Kingdom Credits, VP or an eligible Agent Unlock Token can be used.

What to do when a new Agent launches

1. Update the client and confirm the active Recruitment Event under Agents.
2. You do not select an old-style contract; the event activates automatically.
3. Play and earn eligible XP from normal progression, Dailies and Weeklies.
4. Finish the target before the 28 days expire for the free unlock.
5. If you want immediate access, verify the current VP option in the client.

Do not confuse account setup, Riot ID and shard selection with an Agent unlock; use the new VALORANT account guide.

XP, VP, Kingdom Credits and tokens

• XP: the main free path during recruitment. Eligible Daily and Weekly XP contributes automatically.
• VP: the paid instant-unlock option during the active event. Check the live price before confirming.
• Kingdom Credits: cannot unlock the currently recruiting Agent. You still earn KC while playing and can use it after the Agent enters the store.
• Agent Unlock Token: earned through new-player progression, but cannot be spent on a newly launched Agent while its event is active.

Riot describes Kingdom Credits as free play-earned currency capped at 10,000. KC cannot be bought with real money, and Agent or Gear purchases made with KC are non-refundable.

What happens after the event?

The Agent does not disappear. It enters the Agent Store, where the live client displays available KC, VP and eligible token paths. The old advice to grind an Agent Contract to Level 5 is outdated: the system is split into Recruitment Events, Agent Store and Agent Gear.

Agent Gear is not Agent ownership

Recruitment or the Agent Store unlocks the playable Agent. Agent Gear is a separate ordered cosmetic track for items such as cards, sprays, buddies or weapon cosmetics. You must own the Agent before progressing Gear; Gear spending cannot unlock the Agent.

Xbox Game Pass access

Riot's progression FAQ says an active, linked Xbox Game Pass subscription provides access to all Agents, including new releases, while the benefit remains active; bonus XP can also count toward recruitment. Treat subscription access separately from a permanent unlock and recheck ownership if the subscription or account link changes.

Before taking the Agent into ranked

1. Test ability charges, cooldowns and ranges in the Range or a custom.
2. Build a flash, smoke, info or mobility plan instead of dumping utility because it is new.
3. Use the entry guide for execute order.
4. Do not treat early K/D as proof of Agent strength or hidden MMR; see the Elo guide.
5. Use the Range guide for safe testing.

Common mistakes

• Looking for a KC button during the active event.
• Assuming Battle Pass ownership unlocks the Agent.
• Confusing Gear tiers with playable ownership.
• Thinking the Agent vanishes after 28 days.
• Giving login details to third-party “free Agent code” offers.

Official sources

• Progression Update Explainer + FAQ
• Patch Notes 7.0