Radiants

Radiants are individuals impacted by radianite in such a way that grants them hypernatural abilities. Their powers vary in type and form, with some appearing more elemental, while others take on more abstract or otherworldly appearances.

While significantly less in number than 'normal' humans, radiants have become an accepted minority in society at the time of the game taking place.

Trigger

While the definite trigger of radiance is unknown, it is confirmed to be an event or a chain of events that involves radianite. The extent of the interaction between the individual and radianite that is necessary for the emergence of one's radiance is also unknown, which could mean that direct contact (or even close proximity) might not be necessary.

Most of what we know about the origins of radiance come from a statement made by VALORANT's Creative Director, David Nottingham (aka Riot KingKut) during a QnA session on the VALORANT Lore // Art discord server:

Those who are radiants, and the extent of their powers, is largely a result of two things. Their unique genetic makeup, and how it predisposes them to react, absorb and be affected by an external event or sequence of events that involves radianite.

— Creative Director Riot KingKut, Discord QnA

Radiance is a trait that, for the modern world, manifested in some individuals after First Light. The exact link between the two phenomena is unknown, although there are heavy implications that radiance existed prior FL as well. It is possible that the only part First Light had to play with the emergence of radiance again was the reintroduction of radianite to the world, although this is also not known for sure.

Beyond the connection between radiance and First Light, it is known that a person's genetic makeup is also a factor in how they react to the aforementioned radianite event - making it a possible cause for the great variance in radiant abilities. This would also mean that radiance (or, at least, the 'radiance-compatible' trait and the type of radiance that one would gain) is hereditary to some degree. There are multiple examples that back this theory up, such as Reyna and Lucia (her little sister), and Yoru and his samurai ancestor.

Reyna's Dossier, found in Split in Patch 4.07

There is evidence to show there have been attempts to study the nature of radiance lead by Kingdom scientists. Many of these experiments seem to be of dubious ethical roots, and may have caused serious harm to many radiants, especially young children. This knowledge mostly comes from Reyna's dossier, and how it describes her past of fighting against these crimes.

Aside from conducting experiments on radiant youth, it is implied that experiments might have been conducted to create artificial radiance in a non-radiant human. It is speculated (although, once again, not confirmed) that Omen could be the survivor of such an experiment.

Powers

There is a wide spectrum in the types of powers radiants possess, ranging everywhere from generating bioelectricity to tearing through the fabric of reality itself. Beyond different types of powers and abilities, radiants vary in the scale of their powers as well, with some being more powerful than others.

Multiple individuals might have the same type of abilities, but to a greatly varying extent or intensity. For most radiants, the extent of their powers is pretty meek; the Agents in the VALORANT Protocol are, however, considered to be some of the best of their class, and are at the height of their power.

Not every radiant has mastered their full potential, and not every radiant has the same level of potential - but in terms of our AGENTS, they are all pretty much at the peak of their potential. That’s how they become AGENTS. Only the best of the best.

— Creative Director Riot KingKut, Discord QnA

For the purpose of gameplay, the powers of most Agents in-game are watered down. This does not imply that these radiants are weaker than others, it's only there to ensure gameplay integrity. This is also the reason behind several radiants appearing to be more powerful in cinematics than they are in-game.

Many radiants in the story have had trouble controlling their powers initially as they emerged, at times resulting in them unintentionally causing dangerous accidents. Examples of such incidents can be seen on playercards of some of the Agents, such as Firestarter (obtained from Tier 9 of Phoenix's contract) depicting a building, assumed (but not confirmed) to be Phoenix's old performing arts school sent up in flames.

There are hints that there exist locations that train young radiants to control and correctly use their powers around the world. An example of such a place can be seen in the card Journey of Trials from Tier 9 of Sage's contract. The card depicts a a monastery in an unknown location in China. It is implied from the card as well as her dossier that Sage has learned many of her skills, potentially including mastery of her powers, in that monastery.

The Firestarter playercard, showing a burning building, hinted to be Phoenix's old performing arts school

The Eye of the Storm playercard, showing a large thunderstorm, likely caused by Neon

The Mirrored Edge playercard, showing a cyclone tearing through the city of Seoul, assumedly caused by Jett

The Journey of Trials playercard, showing a monastery atop mountain, where Sage is hinted to have trained

In an email to Brimstone, Sage suggested the launch of a formal radiant training program to help new radiant recruits in controlling and mastering their powers. Later on, Reyna joined Sage in leading the training program. Some of the outbursts of a radiant's powers can be linked to the feelings and emotions they have at the moment, and while Sage believes in limiting and controlling emotions when using one's powers, Reyna believes in using emotions to direct power. Despite the two women having vastly different strategies for teaching the younger radiants, the program seems to have proceeded smoothly.

Besides learning to control their powers through lessons from other mentors, some radiants use technology to help them control and direct their power without causing accidental harm. Neon's father is one of the people who studies and specializes in creating tools that help support millions of radiants. Neon herself currently uses a surge protector designed by her father that prevents her power output from ballooning beyond a certain limit.

Aside from these technologies, many radiants use special objects as tools to help them control and direct their powers. These objects can range from simple trinkets to more sophisticated artifacts. For example

• Sage uses self-made orbs made of pure crystalline radianite to help her channel her abilities
• Skye uses a set of carved wooden trinkets for the same purpose
• Yoru uses an ancient mask belonging to his ancestor to help him navigate when riftwalking
• Astra uses a gauntlet that helps her "contain" her powers.

Yoru's Ancestral Mask; example of an ancient artifact to help augment radiant powers

Skye's Trinkets; examples of objects a radiant can use to channel their power better

Neon's Surge Protector; example of a technological tool to help radiants control their powers

It is worth mentioning that not all radianite artifacts are made to be used by radiants only. Each one differs in its qualities, and in terms of who can use it. For example, we know that Harbor is a non-radiant, who still has the ability to use a special radianite artifact (this is the bracelet he wears around him arm).

Known individuals

The current known radiants in the VALORANT Universe are:

VP-3 Omen

VP-7 Sage

VP-9 Phoenix

VP-10 Jett

VP-11 Reyna

VP-14 Skye

VP-15 Yoru

VP-16 Astra

VP-19 Neon

VP-20 Fade