Valorant agent tier list

Valorant is an ever-evolving game, with Riot consistently introducing gameplay tweaks, buffs, and nerfs in response to player feedback and competitive balance demands. As a result, understanding the nuances of the latest Valorant agent tier list can be the deciding factor in securing victories, especially in ranked matches.

What Is the Valorant Agent Tier List?

The Valorant agent tier list is a ranking system categorizing agents into tiers such as S, A, B, C, and D based on their overall strength, utility, and effectiveness in the current meta. With each patch, agents are assessed and ranked according to factors such as ability utility, impact on specific maps, synergy with other agents, and susceptibility to counters.

The Tier Breakdown

• S-Tier: The most powerful and versatile agents—the ones who define the meta. They offer unmatched utility and adaptability, making them near-essential in most competitive compositions. Agents in this tier consistently perform well in all scenarios.
• A-Tier: Strong agents that can hold their own in most situations. While slightly less dominant than their S-tier counterparts, they remain highly reliable and versatile choices across various maps and team setups.
• B-Tier: Decent options that perform well under certain conditions but aren’t as consistent or game-changing. These agents may require specific maps or compositions to showcase their potential.
• C-Tier: Situational agents with moderate utility and performance. Success with them often hinges on niche strategies, map preferences, or exceptional player skill.
• D-Tier: The weakest agents in the current meta. These options struggle to provide consistent value and are often overshadowed by more effective counterparts.

Patch 9.11 Valorant Agent Tier List

Patch 9.11 introduced balancing changes and new meta shifts, evolving the landscape of competitive play. Here’s an in-depth look at where each agent stands in the current Valorant agent tier list.

S-Tier Agents (Dominating the Meta)

Sage

Sage remains the backbone of many team compositions, thanks to her unparalleled healing and resurrection abilities. Her wall and slow orb continue to be pivotal for defensive plays and site retakes. In Patch 9.11, her impact has only grown stronger as her abilities allow teams to prolong rounds and fortify chokepoints effectively.

Cypher

With an unbeatable ability to lock down areas, Cypher is crucial for information gathering and map control. His Trapwires and Spycam ensure that lurking opponents are exposed, while his Neural Theft ultimate provides invaluable intel for executing coordinated attacks.

Sova

The quintessential initiator, Sova’s reconnaissance tools make him indispensable for uncovering enemy positions. His Owl Drone, Shock Darts, and Recon Bolt synergize seamlessly with aggressive plays, helping teams capitalize on enemy vulnerabilities.

Reyna

A quintessential duelist, Reyna thrives in aggressive solo plays. Her self-sustain through kills and ability to blind opponents make her a favored pick for confident, mechanically-gifted players.

Clove

Patch 9.11 has pushed Clove into the S-tier ranks for her devastating crowd-control abilities. Offering alternatives to both offensive and defensive tactics, Clove makes versatile team compositions even stronger.

Jett

Jett’s agility and fragging potential continue to make her a top-tier duelist. With her smokes, dash ability, and high-skill mobility, she exerts immense map control and thrives in chaotic skirmishes.

A-Tier Agents (Powerful, Yet Situational)

Gekko

Gekko’s utility brings a unique playstyle to the table, with abilities that focus on crowd control and delaying enemy advances. While not as versatile as S-tier agents, he fits well in compositions that necessitate disruption.

Chamber

The withdrawn sentinel remains a powerhouse despite nerfs in previous patches. Chamber’s utility maintains its relevance in outpost holding and scaling back enemy aggression, keeping him firmly in A-tier.

Omen

A reliable pick for smokes and map manipulation, Omen provides consistent utility for site executions and site control. His ability to reposition complements both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Phoenix

While often overshadowed by flashers such as Breach or Reyna, Phoenix’s straightforward kit makes him an approachable yet effective duelist in lower elo play.

Iso

The relatively new agent Iso has steadily climbed to prominence. His self-sustain mechanic parallels Reyna’s playstyle, but his supportive versatility opens new approaches to team play.

Raze

Raze’s explosive playstyle and ability to quickly clear space lend her to aggressive team compositions. She thrives in utility-heavy scenarios where early damage deals significant advantages.

B-Tier Agents (Solid but Niche)

Yoru

While underrated, Yoru can be a devastating agent when in the hands of experienced players familiar with his kit. New tweaks have given him improved utility, but his higher learning curve keeps him from ascending further up the list.

Brimstone

Brimstone’s smokes remain useful, but his lack of mobility and telegraphed utility make him susceptible in higher-tier play.

Skye

An excellent initiator that excels in coordinated play, Skye thrives in teams with strong communication. However, her abilities lack the immediate impact of some of the higher-tier initiators.

Deadlock

Deadlock’s kit provides some utility but often feels lackluster compared to more established agents. Situational at best, her strengths are niche and map-dependent.

Neon

Though Neon can dominate on maps like Fracture, her reliance on speed and fragging potential prevents her from achieving consistency across the board.

Killjoy

Often overshadowed in Patch 9.11 by Cypher, Killjoy’s utility-driven kit still finds value in locking down specific sites. On maps like Ascent, she remains highly viable.

C-Tier Agents (Situational Tools)

KAY/O

Although KAY/O has flashes and suppression tools, his kit takes a backseat to more impactful initiators in Patch 9.11. His abilities require precise execution to maximize effectiveness, which lessens his pick rate.

Breach

While providing great utility for site pushes, Breach suffers in solo-queue play where coordination is less prominent. He works best in pre-arranged teams.

Fade

Fade’s overreliance on proper timing and synergy limits her potential. More skill-intensive than Sova, she struggles to gain traction in Patch 9.11.

Viper

Once a staple controller meta-choice, Viper has fallen due to better counter-picks and less impactful abilities on certain maps.

D-Tier Agents (Unfavorable in Current Meta)

Harbor

Harbor has failed to find sustainable utility in Patch 9.11. With less versatility and slower smokes, his abilities are often overshadowed by Omen and other controllers.

Astra

Astra’s complex kit lacks relevance in the fast-paced solo queue ranked mode. Although still potent in prearranged tournaments, she currently sits in the lower rungs of the tier hierarchy.

Key Trends and Insights

Adaptability Is Key

One of the most crucial aspects of the Valorant agent tier list lies in the fluidity of its rankings. Updates to the game bring new balance changes, and agents rise or fall depending on Riot’s tweaks and the player base’s ability to adapt.

For example, agents like Astra and Skye, who once dominated the S-tier in older patches, now find themselves overtaken by easier-to-use or more impactful counterparts like Omen or Fade.

Synergy and Team Compositions

The effectiveness of an agent often depends on team collaboration and map synergy. For instance, Cypher and Killjoy both excel at locking down specific sites, but they shine on control-heavy maps such as Ascent and Split. Meanwhile, initiators like Sova or Skye provide better map info and softer clearances in large open spaces like Haven‘s A-lobby.