The Valorant meta is always shifting, and one of the most puzzling developments recently is the surge in Neon’s pick rate, even though Cypher—a known counter to Neon—is seeing widespread play. This unusual trend has caught the attention of players and analysts alike. In this article, we’ll explore why Neon’s pick rate has increased, despite Cypher’s dominance in the current meta.
Neon’s Rising Popularity in Valorant Champions 2024
Neon’s pick rate in Valorant Champions 2024 has steadily climbed, reaching 22%, with some regions like China seeing up to 37%. In America, Neon’s pick rate also increased significantly, rising to 28%. This uptick in popularity seems unusual given that Cypher, one of the most effective counters to Neon, is also being picked at an astonishing rate, often exceeding 50%.
If Cypher is so effective at shutting down Neon, why are we seeing more teams opt for Neon in their compositions? The answer lies in the evolving playstyles and the way teams have adapted to utilize Neon’s kit, making her a formidable choice even in the face of her counters.
Why Cypher Should Be a Problem for Neon
At first glance, Cypher seems like the perfect counter to Neon. His tripwires are difficult for Neon to bypass because she lacks utility to destroy them. Unlike agents such as Raze, who can use explosives to clear Cypher’s setups, Neon’s speed often works against her, causing her to run into Cypher’s traps during her high-velocity engagements.
Cypher’s ability to control information and lock down sites should theoretically make it challenging for a fast-moving agent like Neon to thrive. After all, Cypher’s utility is designed to punish aggressive plays, and Neon’s entire kit revolves around fast, explosive site entries.
Why Teams Still Pick Neon Despite Cypher
So, why do teams continue to pick Neon, even when Cypher is on the rise? The answer comes down to two key factors: improved team coordination and Neon’s outplay potential.
- Better Team Coordination: Teams have become increasingly adept at dismantling Cypher’s setups. By using agents like Sova with shock dart lineups or Breach’s aftershocks, teams can efficiently clear Cypher’s tripwires and camera setups before Neon enters the site. This strategic coordination allows Neon to focus on what she does best—rushing into the site and creating chaos without worrying about getting caught in Cypher’s traps.
- Outplay Potential: One of the main reasons for Neon’s growing popularity is her high outplay potential. As players like Kkang from EDward Gaming have shown, when Neon is in the hands of a mechanically skilled player, she can perform maneuvers that are nearly impossible to counter. Neon’s double slide mechanic allows her to dodge bullets and take angles at high speeds, leaving opponents struggling to keep up. Even with Cypher’s setups in place, Neon can still outmaneuver enemies, creating space for her team.
The Neon vs. Raze Debate
If Cypher is such a strong pick in the current meta, why aren’t more teams opting for Raze, who can deal with Cypher’s utility more effectively than Neon? While Raze has historically been a top pick, many teams are favoring Neon’s ability to disrupt site defenses and take aggressive fights.
Neon’s ability to slide into engagements at lightning speed makes her a more aggressive option compared to Raze. While Raze excels at clearing out utility and holding space, Neon thrives in fast-paced, chaotic environments where she can make use of her mobility to overwhelm opponents. This level of unpredictability and speed is something that Raze, with her more methodical playstyle, can’t replicate.
High Skill Ceiling: Why Neon Shines in the Hands of Top Players
Neon’s recent surge in pick rate can also be attributed to the high skill ceiling associated with her kit. As we’ve seen from players like Kkang, Neon’s ability to slide, sprint, and chain together fast movements makes her a lethal weapon in the hands of top-tier players. The clip of Jor Mo from a recent tournament highlights just how difficult it is to stop a Neon player who knows how to fully utilize her movement mechanics.
Neon’s outplay potential is similar to what we saw with Jett in earlier metas. Just as Jett’s updrafts and dashes allowed skilled players to pull off incredible plays, Neon’s movement abilities let top players zip around the map, taking fights on their own terms. This makes her a valuable asset to teams that rely on quick site entries and aggressive duels.
Neon’s Role in the Current Meta
Neon’s unique playstyle is what makes her such a valuable pick in the current meta, even with the rise of Cypher. Teams are recognizing that while Cypher is effective at gathering information and setting traps, Neon’s ability to disrupt those setups and take fast, unpredictable engagements outweighs the risks.
In essence, the decision to pick Neon is often driven by the understanding that her raw outplay potential can win rounds by overwhelming opponents before they have a chance to react. The speed at which Neon can enter a site, combined with her ability to double slide and dodge enemy fire, makes her a nightmare to deal with, even for seasoned players using Cypher.
FAQs About Neon and Cypher in Valorant
1. Why is Neon’s pick rate increasing despite Cypher’s dominance?
Neon’s pick rate is increasing because teams have become better at dismantling Cypher’s setups with utility like Breach’s aftershock or Sova’s shock darts. Additionally, Neon’s outplay potential in fast-paced environments makes her a valuable pick even when facing Cypher.
2. How does Neon counter Cypher’s tripwires?
While Neon can’t destroy Cypher’s tripwires with her own utility, teams often use other agents like Sova or Breach to clear Cypher’s traps before Neon enters a site. This allows Neon to focus on aggressive site entries without getting caught in Cypher’s setups.
3. Is Raze better than Neon against Cypher?
Raze is better at dealing with Cypher’s utility, as she can use explosives to clear traps. However, many teams prefer Neon’s speed and outplay potential, which allows her to overwhelm opponents and take fast engagements, even against Cypher.
4. What makes Neon difficult to counter?
Neon’s movement abilities, including her sprint and double slide, make her incredibly hard to hit in fast-paced engagements. Skilled Neon players can zip around the map and create chaos, making her difficult to counter even with agents like Cypher.
5. How can I play Neon effectively in ranked games?
To play Neon effectively, focus on fast site entries and outmaneuvering your opponents. Use your speed and movement abilities to create chaos and disrupt enemy setups. Coordination with your team to clear utility, like Cypher’s tripwires, will also be key to your success.
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