Players of VALORANT often encounter a variety of mysterious terms that can be confusing. One such term that frequently pops up in the game is “ACS,” which holds significance for many players. If you’re curious about what ACS means and why it’s important in VALORANT, read on to find out.
Understanding the Meaning of VALORANT ACS
Image Credits: Riot Games
ACS stands for Average Combat Score in VALORANT. Basically, ACS reflects your overall performance in the game by considering various key factors such as kills, headshot percentage, economy, and more. Notably, the ACS or Average Combat Score is not displayed during the actual match in VALORANT. Instead, you can check it in the Career section after the match ends to see your own and your teammates’ Average Combat Score.
Calculation of ACS in VALORANT
Unfortunately, Riot Games has not officially revealed the specific formula used to calculate Average Combat Score. However, in a blog post, the developer mentioned that the score is not solely based on kills, although they play a significant role. The system also accounts for damage dealt, including assists where you contribute to killing an enemy, as well as utility usage that causes damage.
Additionally, your combat score considers other elements like first bloods and streaks, which are highlighted in the combat score tooltip. Ian Fielding, the Senior Producer of VALORANT at Riot Games, explained that while your combat score reflects your combat performance in the game, it doesn’t directly correlate with the calculations used for rank updates. Rankings are primarily influenced by wins and the manner in which you secured those wins.
So, why does ACS hold such importance? It serves as more than just a numerical value. It provides a useful indication of how well you are performing compared to other players in a match. A high ACS typically indicates that you are making significant contributions, whether through kills, assists, or completing objectives.
Furthermore, your ACS impacts your ranking in competitive play, as mentioned earlier. Demonstrating strong performance in terms of ACS can expedite your climb up the ranks, showcasing your consistent contributions to team success. However, it’s crucial to note that surrendering a match can negatively affect your ACS.
