August 5, 2024
In 2024, the competition among Valorant’s duelist agents remains fierce, with each character bringing unique strengths and strategies to the game. Here’s a detailed look at all the duelists, ranking them based on their abilities, playstyle, and impact in the current meta.
1. Jett
Jett continues to dominate the duelist category with her unparalleled mobility and precision. Her Dash and Updraft abilities make her the most agile agent in the game, allowing for quick escapes and unexpected angles of attack. The combination of Tailwind and her ultimate, Blade Storm, makes her a formidable force in any match. Despite some balance tweaks over the years, Jett’s skill ceiling remains high, and her ability to disrupt the enemy team is unmatched.
Strengths:
- Mobility: Jett’s Dash (Tailwind) and Updraft allow her to reposition quickly, making her a difficult target to hit.
- Versatility: Blade Storm is a powerful ultimate that excels in close-quarters combat and long-range engagements.
- Disruption: Her smokes (Cloudburst) provide temporary cover, allowing for aggressive plays and quick retreats.
Weaknesses:
- Fragile: Jett’s health pool is standard, and her playstyle often requires high-risk maneuvers that can leave her vulnerable.
- Reliance on Abilities: Effective use of her abilities is crucial; otherwise, she can be outmatched by more straightforward duelists.
2. Reyna
Reyna shines in the hands of players who thrive on aggressive playstyles. Her ability to heal and become invincible after securing a kill makes her a self-sustaining duelist capable of clutching rounds. The Leer ability provides essential crowd control, allowing for aggressive pushes or defensive holds. Reyna’s potential heavily depends on individual skill, making her a high-risk, high-reward agent in competitive play.
Strengths:
- Self-Sustain: Devour and Dismiss abilities allow Reyna to heal or become invulnerable after securing kills.
- Crowd Control: Leer provides vision denial, which can disrupt enemy lines and create opportunities for pushes.
- Clutch Potential: Reyna can single-handedly turn the tide of a round through her self-sustain and invulnerability mechanics.
Weaknesses:
- Kill-Dependent: Without securing kills, Reyna’s effectiveness drops significantly.
- Predictable: Experienced players can anticipate and counter her playstyle if they recognize her patterns.
3. Raze
Raze brings explosive power to the battlefield, literally. Her abilities deal with damage and area denial, making her a significant threat in confined spaces. Paint Shells and Boom Bot are excellent for flushing out enemies, while her ultimate, Showstopper, can turn the tide of a round. Raze’s playstyle requires careful planning and timing to maximize her impact, but she can dominate the match when used effectively.
Strengths:
- High Damage Output: Raze’s abilities, including Paint Shells and Showstopper, deal significant damage and can remove multiple enemies.
- Area Denial: Boom Bot and Paint Shells can control space and flush out hiding enemies.
- Versatility: Her explosive kit makes her effective in both offensive pushes and defensive holds.
Weaknesses:
- Predictable: Her abilities can be anticipated and countered by aware opponents.
- Risky: Effective use of her kit often requires putting herself in harm’s way.
4. Phoenix
Phoenix offers a balanced approach with his mix of offensive and self-sustaining abilities. His Curveball flashes are crucial for initiating fights, and his Hot Hands and Blaze abilities provide healing and area control. Run It Back, Phoenix’s ultimate, allows for aggressive plays with the safety of a guaranteed respawn. While more flashy than some duelists, Phoenix’s versatility makes him a reliable choice in various scenarios.
Strengths:
- Self-Healing: Hot Hands and Blaze can heal Phoenix, allowing him to sustain longer in fights.
- Utility: Curveball provides essential vision denial, enabling safe pushes and retreats.
- Aggressive Potential: Run It Back allows for high-risk, high-reward plays without the usual consequences.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Range: Phoenix’s abilities are most effective in close to mid-range combat.
- Predictability: Experienced players can anticipate his flashes and counter his aggressive plays.
5. Yoru
Yoru has seen significant improvements since his initial release, making him a more viable duelist in the current meta. His ability to create distractions and reposition with Fakeout and Gatecrash provides unique opportunities for flanking and surprise attacks. The Blindside Flash and Dimensional Drift ultimately add layers to his playstyle, making him a tricky agent to counter when used strategically.
Strengths:
- Deception: Fakeout and Gatecrash can confuse and mislead opponents, creating openings for ambushes.
- Repositioning: Gatecrash allows Yoru to relocate quickly, setting up unexpected flanks and retreats.
- Invisibility: Dimensional Drift provides unparalleled scouting and repositioning potential.
Weaknesses:
- Complexity: Yoru’s kit requires a high level of understanding and skill to use effectively.
- Risky: Misjudged plays can leave Yoru vulnerable, especially if his abilities are on cooldown.
6. Neon
Neon’s introduction brought a fresh approach to the duelist role with her speed-focused abilities. Her High Gear ability allows for rapid movement, making it difficult for her to hit and enabling quick rotations. Relay Bolt and Fast Lane offer utility in both offensive and defensive situations. Neon’s ultimate, Overdrive, transforms her into a high-speed killing machine, rewarding accuracy and reflexes. Her unique skill set has made her a popular choice for aggressive players.
Strengths:
- Speed: High Gear makes Neon the fastest agent in the game, allowing for quick rotations and aggressive plays.
- Area Control: Relay Bolt and Fast Lane can control spaces and create safe paths.
- High Impact: Overdrive rewards precision and can decimate enemy teams when used effectively.
Weaknesses:
- Fragile: Neon’s playstyle often puts her in risky situations where a misstep can be fatal.
- Limited Range: Her abilities are most effective at close to mid-range, limiting her options in long-range engagements.
ISO
Iso is still a relatively new duelist, but he has found his way into Valorant players’ comps and hearts. He specializes in alienating enemies and then punishing them for overpeeking. He’s an absolute powerhouse with his shields that allow him to stay alive longer and add kills to the board.
Strengths:
- Aggressor: ISO may not have a flash, but he’s the perfect space-maker to send when you’re looking to open up a crowded site.
- He’s extremely powerful in one-on-one combats, which is why he has high clutch potential.
Weaknesses:
- ISO is not an agent that is inherently a team player. He works best in 5-stacks and may quickly become annoying when you’re solo-queing.
- ISO’s toolkit is extremely niche and doesn’t have versatile abilities, which can be limiting at times.
In summary, the diversity and evolution of Valorant’s duelists make each agent uniquely viable in the right hands, reflecting the game’s ever-changing strategies and competitive landscape.