Waiting for your ultimate in VALORANT often turns into the question "when will it be ready?" Yet ultimate points do not come at random: specific events give points, and each agent's ultimate has a different cost. In this guide we collected the information from Riot Games' official wiki pages, rechecked on October 11, 2026. Because the wiki does not state some details explicitly (for example whether points carry over between rounds), we make no claim about them; to be sure, test with your own agent in-game.
How Are Ultimate Points Earned?
In Spike modes such as Unrated, Competitive and Swiftplay, an agent earns one ultimate point for each of these five events:
- Killing an enemy.
- Being killed.
- Picking up an ultimate orb.
- Completing a Spike plant.
- Completing a Spike defuse.
So even dying brings you closer to your ultimate: a round that goes badly is not completely wasted.
Ultimate Costs
Not every agent's ultimate asks for the same number of points; costs range from 7 to 9. Examples:
- Phoenix's Run it Back costs 7 points.
- Sova's Hunter's Fury and Jett's Blade Storm cost 8 points.
- Killjoy's Lockdown and Viper's Pit cost 9 points.
This difference means some agents can use their ultimate more often; it makes sense to factor the ultimate's cost into your agent choice.
Ultimate Orbs
Most maps contain two orbs, each placed in the passages just outside the A and B Spike sites. Each orb you collect adds one point toward your ultimate. An agent whose ultimate is already ready can also collect an orb; however, the wiki does not explain whether the point then helps toward the next ultimate. Picking up an orb often reveals your position: decide according to your team's situation.
After the Round Ends and Other Modes
Even after the round has been decided, completing a Spike plant brings credits and an ultimate point, but it no longer wins the round. In modes without a Spike, such as Team Deathmatch, the ultimate fills through a percentage bar based on kills and orbs instead of points. So do not carry the habits of Spike modes over to these modes one-to-one.
Practical Tips
Think about ultimate timing together with the round economy and the team plan: synchronize it with your team's entry so it is not wasted, and do not take unnecessary risks for orbs. For ultimate-focused role choice see our agent roles guide, and for Spike timings our Spike guide.