You're sitting on the couch, PS5 controller in hand, and your best friend is on their $3,000 liquid-cooled PC rig. You both want to grind some ranked. You've got the same game, the same agents, and the same desire to click heads. But then comes the wall.
The short, annoying answer is: No, console Valorant cannot play with PC.
It doesn't matter if you're on a shiny new Xbox Series X or a PlayStation 5; Riot Games has drawn a thick, permanent line in the sand between the couch and the desk. If you were hoping to party up across platforms for a quick Unrated match, you're out of luck.
The Competitive "Why" Behind the Split
Riot is obsessed with competitive integrity. Like, really obsessed. In a game where a single millisecond or a pixel-perfect flick determines if you win a round or get flamed by your teammates, the input method is everything.
Mouse and keyboard (MnK) is just fundamentally faster and more precise than a thumbstick. Period. If you put a Diamond-tier PC player against a Diamond-tier console player, the PC player is going to win those long-range Vandal duels nine times out of ten.
To compensate for this on consoles, Riot introduced Focus Mode and a specific type of aim assist that slows down your crosshair when it's over an enemy. If they let PC and console players mix, they'd have to choose between two "bad" options:
- Leave console players to get absolutely shredded by mouse aim.
- Give console players "sticky" aim assist that feels like an aimbot to PC players.
Neither is a good look for a tactical shooter that wants to be taken seriously as an esport. So, Riot just kept them separate. Honestly, it's probably for the best, even if it ruins your weekend plans with your PC friends.
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Consoles Can Still Play Together (Mostly)
While you can't join your PC buddies, the "crossplay" door isn't totally shut. Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 players can play together. If you're on Xbox, you'll see PS5 players in your lobbies and vice versa. This keeps the matchmaking pools healthy and the queue times short. You don't even have to do anything special to enable it; it's basically the default state of the game on consoles.
What about the "PC-only" stuff?
Riot's 2026 updates have brought a ton of new content, like the Bandit sidearm and the reworked Breeze map. The good news? All of this drops on console and PC at the same time. You aren't getting a "lite" version of the game. You're getting the full-fat Valorant experience, just in a different matchmaking pool.
Cross-Progression: The One Big Silver Lining
Here is where things get interesting. Even though you can't play together, your account is effectively one entity. If you spent $100 on the latest skin bundle on your PC, those skins will be waiting for you when you log into your PS5.
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Everything transfers over:
- Weapon Skins and Melee: All your flashy animations and finishers are there.
- Agents: If you unlocked Tejo or Vyse on PC, they're ready to go on console.
- Battle Pass Progress: You can grind tiers on your lunch break on PC and finish them at night on your couch.
- Currencies: Your VP and Radianite Points follow you everywhere.
The only thing that stays behind? Your Rank. Riot treats your PC rank and your Console rank as two different skill ratings. You might be an Ascendant god on PC, but when you boot up the console version for the first time, you're going to have to prove yourself all over again in placements. It makes sense—being good at clicking a mouse doesn't mean your thumbs are ready for the recoil control on a controller.
Can You Use a Keyboard on Console to Play With PC?
Don't try it. Seriously.
Riot has made it very clear that keyboard and mouse support is not enabled for consoles. If you try to use a "XIM" or any other third-party adapter to trick your console into thinking your keyboard is a controller, you're asking for a permanent ban.
The Vanguard anti-cheat system is just as aggressive on consoles as it is on PC. They’ve been pretty vocal about the fact that using "spoofed" inputs ruins the game for everyone else. If you want to use a keyboard, you play on PC. If you're on console, you use a controller. No exceptions.
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Getting Your Friends Connected
If you have friends on other consoles (like you're on Xbox and they're on PS5), adding them is pretty simple, even if it's slightly different than the PC interface.
- Open the Social Tab in the main menu.
- Look for the "Add Friend" icon (usually a little person with a plus sign).
- You’ll need their Riot ID and Tagline (e.g., PlayerName#NA1).
- Send the request, and once they accept, they’ll show up in your friend list regardless of which console they’re using.
Actionable Next Steps for You
Since you can't jump into a match with your PC friends, here's the best way to handle the situation:
- Link your accounts immediately: Go to the Riot Games website and ensure your Xbox or PSN account is linked to your main Riot ID. This ensures you never pay for the same skin twice.
- Master the "Focus" mechanic: If you're coming from PC, stop trying to play like it's a mouse. Use the Focus Mode (usually a trigger pull) to tighten your spread and slow your sensitivity during gunfights.
- Treat them as separate grinds: Use your PC account for "serious" competitive play and your console account for a more relaxed experience—or vice versa. Just don't expect the skills to transfer 1:1.
- Stay updated on Patch 12.00: With the 2026 season in full swing, keep an eye on how the new Bandit pistol handles on controller versus mouse. It’s a precision weapon, so practicing your "strafe-stopping" on a thumbstick is going to be your biggest hurdle.
The divide between PC and console might be frustrating, but it's what keeps Valorant feeling like a fair, tactical game instead of a chaotic mess of mismatched inputs. Connect your accounts, grab your controller, and start that separate climb to Radiant.