Are you tired of picking agents in VALORANT only to find yourself at a disadvantage? It’s frustrating when some agents just don’t seem to measure up to the competition, especially at the highest level of play. In this article, we’ll delve into the data and explore the worst VALORANT agents at the Radiant level across all three episodes of Episode Six. While it may be harsh to label them as “bad,” these agents consistently struggled in terms of win rate, pick rate, and average K/D. Let’s uncover why they fell short and why you might want to think twice before selecting them in your next match.
Neon: Lacking the Duelist Edge
Neon, a duelist agent, unfortunately holds the title for the lowest win rate of any agent during any act of Episode Six. Throughout Act One, Neon won a meager 36.1 percent of matches played. What’s even more disheartening is that Neon failed to maintain a K/D ratio above 1.0 in two out of the three acts. She also found herself as the least picked, or tied for least picked agent, in all three acts.
The issue with Neon lies in her inability to match up to other duelists in terms of value. She lacks the mobility of Jett, the explosive damage-dealing prowess of Raze, the sustainability of Phoenix or Reyna, and even Yoru’s creativity. Although she possesses a sprint/slide ability, it offers limited utility. The only saving grace for Neon is her powerful ultimate, but it requires skillful execution to make a significant impact.
Harbor: Consistently Underwhelming
Harbor, another agent who consistently struggled across all three Radiant acts in Episode Six, deserves attention for all the wrong reasons. He found himself in the bottom three for K/D, pick rate, and win percentage. Even with the buffs to his abilities Cascade and High Tide, Harbor failed to make a notable improvement. His biggest drawback is that his abilities, except for his ultimate, clearly telegraph his position and intentions to the enemy. Unfortunately, his ultimate falls short and may be one of the least effective in the entire game.
KAY/O: Diminishing Viability
KAY/O, whose stock was already middling, took a significant hit during Episode Six. In Act One, KAY/O had a pick rate of 2.9 percent, a K/D ratio of exactly 1.0, and a win rate just below 50 percent. However, all three metrics declined in Act Two and Act Three, resulting in the worst K/D ratio and win percentage among all agents by the end of Act Three.
At higher ranks, KAY/O’s viability diminishes. His kit revolves around negating enemy abilities, which becomes less valuable when playing at Radiant where aiming skills theoretically reach their peak. As a result, KAY/O struggles to make a significant impact compared to other agents.
Breach: Limited Information, Limited Success
Breach, while not the worst agent overall, faced significant challenges in Act One with the second-lowest win rate following Neon. Across all three acts, he consistently placed in the bottom five in terms of win rate and K/D ratio, although he did manage to finish in the top half in overall pick rate.
The biggest issue with Breach lies in his inability to provide valuable information to his team compared to agents like Sova, Skye, Fade, or even KAY/O. While he excels at clearing space and delivering quick flashes, his utility falls short in Radiant matches where precise headshots are common. Even with his ultimate, it’s often possible for opponents hit by it to escape with a Vandal one-tap.
Conclusion
These agents have shown a consistent underperformance in VALORANT’s Radiant level across all three episodes of Episode Six. Neon struggles to match the value of other duelists, Harbor’s abilities are easily predictable, KAY/O’s negation skills lose their effectiveness, and Breach lacks the ability to provide crucial information to his team. If you’re aiming for success in your matches, it might be wise to reconsider choosing these agents. Keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses of each agent and adapt your strategy accordingly.
FAQs
Are there any upcoming changes or buffs planned for these underperforming agents?
The developers at Riot Games constantly monitor agent performance and make balance adjustments when necessary. Keep an eye on official announcements for potential changes.
Which agents are considered the best performers at the Radiant level?
Agents like Jett, Reyna, Phoenix, and Raze are often favored by skilled players due to their strong individual capabilities and impact on matches.
Can a skilled player still find success with these underperforming agents?
Skilled players can find success with any agent, even those considered underperforming. It’s all about understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and how to leverage them effectively.
Are these agent performance trends consistent across all game modes?
The data presented primarily focuses on the Radiant level of competitive play. However, these trends can also reflect agent performance in other game modes, to some extent.
Are there any specific team compositions where these agents can shine?
While these agents may struggle individually, they can still contribute effectively in certain team compositions. Experimenting with team strategies and synergy can bring out their potential.
How important is it to adapt agent selection based on the current meta?
Adapting to the meta can significantly impact your success in VALORANT. Keeping up with the evolving meta and adjusting your agent choices accordingly can give you a competitive edge.
Is it better to choose an agent based on personal preference or team needs?
Balancing personal preference and team needs is crucial. It’s beneficial to have a diverse roster of agents you’re comfortable with, while also considering the needs of your team composition.
Can agent underperformance be attributed to player skill or strategy?
While individual player skill and strategy play a role, underperforming agents often face inherent challenges in their kit or lack certain advantages that other agents possess.
Are there any upcoming new agents that could shake up the meta?
Riot Games periodically introduces new agents to VALORANT, and each new addition has the potential to impact the meta. Stay tuned for announcements and patch notes for details.
How can I improve my performance with underperforming agents?
To improve with underperforming agents, practice their unique abilities, analyze high-level gameplay, and adapt your playstyle accordingly. Focus on team coordination and communication.
Are there any agent-specific tips or tricks for maximizing their effectiveness?
Exploring agent-specific guides, tutorials, and tips from experienced players can provide valuable insights into optimizing their abilities and playing to their strengths.
Can skins or cosmetics enhance an agent’s performance?
Skins and cosmetics do not impact an agent’s performance directly. They are purely aesthetic additions that add visual flair to your gameplay experience.
What role do these underperforming agents fulfill within a team?
Each agent brings a unique set of abilities and playstyles. While these underperforming agents may struggle in certain areas, they can still contribute to team strategies, such as area denial or utility usage.
Should I avoid picking these agents in ranked matches?
The decision to pick these agents in ranked matches depends on your personal skill level, experience with the agent, and understanding of their limitations. Consider the competitive environment before making a choice.
How can I contribute to the improvement of underperforming agents?
Providing constructive feedback and suggestions on official forums or social media platforms can help developers understand the community’s concerns and potentially lead to future adjustments.
Are there any upcoming tournaments where underperforming agents might surprise us?
Competitive tournaments are dynamic and often bring unexpected strategies and agent picks. Keep an eye on professional tournaments to witness potentially surprising agent choices.
Can agent underperformance vary across different skill levels?
Agent performance can indeed vary across skill levels. Some agents might excel in lower ranks but struggle at higher levels due to increased skill and coordination among players.
What other factors, apart from agent choice, contribute to winning matches?
Factors like communication, map knowledge, aim, teamwork, economy management, and adapting to opponents’ strategies all play crucial roles in winning matches.
How can I stay up-to-date with the latest VALORANT agent changes and meta shifts?
Following official VALORANT social media channels, reading patch notes, and staying engaged with the community can help you stay informed about agent changes and evolving metas.
Should I avoid playing these underperforming agents to prevent my team from losing?
It’s important to remember that individual agent choice does not solely determine a team’s success or failure. Skilled play, effective teamwork, and adapting strategies can overcome agent limitations.