Riot is constantly changing the way Agent abilities affect gameplay with every patch. With their latest tweak, we have you covered with our very own VALORANT Agent tier list.
Riot’s competitive first-person shooter, VALORANT, has amassed a large player base, ranging from the most casual and laid-back player to the one aiming to go pro. The unique Agent-based gameplay has created some unique quirks that the developers must adjust now and then to keep things changing.
This fragile balancing act allows certain Agents to be more viable than others. With every balance patch, Riot adjusts how they want the game to be played out, and as a result, your favorite Agent may no longer be viable or even rise to become the top-tier pick for every game.
Read More: VALORANT Player Count Tracker: How Many People Play VALORANT?
How Many Agents are There in VALORANT?
The latest Agent to join the VALORANT roster was Deadlock with patch 7.00. The Norwegian Agent was the fifth Sentinal to be added, bringing the total number of agents up to 22. Deadlock added much-needed depth to the Sentinal playstyle, which mostly centered around the Healing factor of Sage or retaking using Killjoy’s Lockdown.
Best VALORANT Agents Tier List
This Agents Tier list is based on our opinion after experiencing the game ourselves at multiple rank levels, analyzing the pick rates and win rates for all the Agents across different ranks, and even looking into the professional scene to see which Agents are being preferred by those at the top.
Do keep in mind that this list is not objectively the best pick at all times and that your personal views and experiences may affect the final outcome. With that said, as of patch 7.05, the following is our pick of the current tier list for the best Agents in VALORANT.
| Tier | Agents |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Killjoy, Raze, Skye, Brimstone |
| A-Tier | Sova, Viper, Sage, Fade, Astra, Cypher, Omen, Jett, |
| B-Tier | Chamber, Phoenix, Breach, Reyna, Gekko |
| C-Tier | Deadlock, Yoru |
| D-Tier | KAY/O, Neon, Harbor |
Top 10 VALORANT Agents for Patch 7.05
Here, we’ll go over our top ten VALORANT Agents to secure the most wins in the 7.05 patch. As previously stated, these Agents are selected after analyzing their pick rates across various ranks and tournament stats. As a result, the Agents will continue to evolve in response to the ongoing meta.
Nonetheless, here are the top 10 VALORANT Agents you should play right now:
10. Astra
Astra has received a bit of a rework for her abilities in patches 7.05 and 7.04. Her Gravity Well (C) has seen a bit of a nerf, but her stun ability Nova Pulse (Q) is quicker to activate. With less utility being deployed in the field, her ability to block off chokes should see her back in action.
9. Fade
Fade’s nerfs aren’t nearly as significant to warrant her dropping from our A tier. Her Nightfall (X) can still open up sites for her team, and she is still a force to be reckoned with. So, Astra is a solid pick for any team in most skill groups
8. Sova
Sova remains a strong candidate for a must-pick agent on specific maps. Sova’s Recon Bolt (E) is a staple for scanning enemies and clearing hard angles before attacking or retaking any site.
7. Jett
Jett was the focal point of the 7.04 patch. Jett has been cut down to be more predictable in her movements by nerfing the entire kit. She is now a riskier agent to play, whose impact depends more than ever on the skill of the player.
6. Viper
A solid Controller to play retakes and lock down any site. Viper’s Pit (X) had its cost increased, but other than that, she is still the same. There is no obvious reason why she should drop down in priority picks.
5. Cypher
The surveillance expert Cypher is one of our top picks for the upcoming season. The Moroccan Sentinal is a must-pick thanks to his area denial using Trapwire (C). His Spycam (E) is another tool a player can use to gather information crucial to winning a round.
4. Brimstone
This may look like an unorthodox choice, but Brimstone has steadily risen to be a solid Controller pick. Brim’s smokes deploy the quickest, and His Orbital Strike (X) can be a game-changer if used appropriately.
3. Skye
Adjusting Skye’s kit was one of the other targets of the developers. She had an oppressive kit that would deny vision control and provide excellent scouting for information. Even after her tweaks, her urgency on our Tier list hasn’t dropped.
2. Raze
Raze is the only Duelist with a kit who can consistently clear corners. Her versatility in movement and map control in the hands of a skilled player makes her one of the strongest, if not the strongest, Duelists to pick.
1. Killjoy
Unsurprisingly, Killjoy is the best Agent in this patch. She is not only the best Sentinel but the best Agent overall. Even in Champions 2023, this Sentinel had the highest pick rate. Moreover, she didn’t receive any Nerfs afterward. Her utility is unmatched in most maps, and any strong team composition needs to have her on the team.
The Best VALORANT Team Composition in Patch 7.05
A player will pick their favorite agent and hope that they are now one of the best. However, a winning team must consider balance. A Pub game may have 5 Duelists running around and hitting shots, but you need a good team composition if you want to improve your Rank and grind your way to the top.
So, to help you out, we’ve created the best possible team composition, consisting of different types of Agents. Keep in mind that not every map will have every agent as viable, even if they are high on the tier list. This is by no means the objectively best choice in all situations, just one that would work most of the time!
Sentinal: Killjoy, Cypher
Our favorite tech enthusiast is our first choice. She can lock down entry points and retakes using her Lockdown (X) is all but a guaranteed round. Cypher can be your pick when you want precise information on your opponents. Maps like Split benefit from Cypher locking down flank angles with his kit.
Duelists: Jett, Raze
Firepower and mechanical skill combine to form this deadly duo. Even after the nerfs, Jett is a must-pick for any Operator user. Raze’s ability to clear corners and control zones of the map is also extremely effective for the attacking side.
Controller: Viper, Brimstone
The most versatile controller pick is the American Chemist in the VALORANT roster. Her Toxic Screen (E) can slice the map in half both in Defense and Attack while Viper’s Pit (X) is an amazing tool in any Afterplant. Brimstone on the other hand can be played aggressively as he can help his team push into locations with buffs from his Stim Beacon (C). Depending on the playstyle, you can be content you have picked the right controller for your team.
Initiator: Skye, Sova
Choosing the right Initiator is a tough ask. The role requires a lot of time and effort to perfect. Skye is a more hands-on approach as her Trailblazer (Q) and Guiding Light (E) need to be manually controlled. Sova, on the other hand, requires extensive knowledge of lineups and bounces. These are difficult to master but extremely rewarding as a good Initiator can win the game for his team.
Read More: VALORANT Patch Notes 7.05: Astra Change, Sunset in Map Rotation,& More
Final verdict
The landscape of VALORANT will no doubt change from patch to patch as the developers add more Agents and hope to balance out the game. As the direction of the developers shifts, so will the meta, and therefore, the VALORANT Agent tier list will shift as well.
