Valorant v2.03 Agent tier list - Ranking the game's Agents from best to worst

Many of the changes coming to Valorant v2.03 were known quantities - nerfs to the Frenzy and Stinger. The introduction of the Escalation LTM being the main ones.

Some of the Agent changes have some as more of a surprise though, Riot previously mentioned that Yoru would be the subject to buff after failing to impress on his release in Episode 2 Act 1 but it happening just as quick as this has caught most off guard.

(Picture: Riot Games)

Reyna has also been hit in the new update with her skills becoming more costly and less regular. Though it isn't all bad as she will now get more Soul Orbs as they don't drop exclusively on downed opponents whom Reyna got the final shot but also on those that Reyna damaged in the three seconds before her death. We personally feel it will reduce her effectiveness except perhaps at the highest level of the game where coordination and teamwork is working at a higher level.

So to get you best prepared for life after update 2.03 we have put together a tier list to help you navigate the game's Agents and pick the best one for the job.

Description of the tiers

We have opted for a standard five-tier system, S to D.

(Picture: Tiermaker)

S-Tier: Must pick for every team and any map.

A-Tier: Important for any well-functioning team, don't make S-Tier because of certain maps or player's ability.

B-Tier: In the right hands or select maps are viable Agents.

C-Tier: Some players depending on their play style will be able to make these Agents exceed their potential.

D-Tier: Viper.

Remember tier lists are not an exact science so if you feel your ability to play Viper makes her an S-tier agent -- good! This list just gives you an idea of the general power of Agents as they stand in the game today.

Valorant v2.03 Agent tier list

(Picture: Tiermaker)

S-Tier

• Jett: There is a reason Jett is still the best option for the team's Operator. Her Tailwind allows her to play it aggressively. Updraft and Blade Storm give her yet more offensive potential. Her smokes, though the subject to the most recent Agent nerf, still allow her and her teammates to escape a tricky spot.
• Sova: No Agent gives teams and players more reliable intelligence gathering than Sova. His Recon Bolt when taking or re-taking a site is invaluable, and well-placed Shock Bolts have the potential to chip away at defences and players are still learning of his true potential with new line-ups being discovered all the time. His Ult ain't bad either.

A-Tier

• Breach: This Initionator has gone from dog-tier to a near must-pick, helped in no small part from his v1.07 buffs that not only improve his flashes but gave them more of them. His Concussion is the most powerful anti-Operator ability and for that alone, he is high on this list.
• Brimstone: From a great early start to a slow drift down the meta until he was one of the most unloved Agent in the game. Its been tough for Brimstone mains but times are a-changing with the release of Episode 2 heralded a change in Brimstones kit, including increased smoke range, cheaper mollies, and an insta Stim Beacon. Bag 'em and tag 'em.
• Raze: This explosive expert has been a thorn in many a side since she entered the game and not much has changed. Her ability to inflict damage with her Showstopper, Boombot, and Cluster Grenades is unrivalled. 
  On Bind where she can use the Teleports to send her munitions even further puts her in the S-Tier.

B-Tier

• Cypher: Great at holding down a site and for that reason alone he finds himself in the B-Tier.  It's the power of other Agent, namely Sova and Killjoy, that doesn't put him higher on this list. His post-death nerfs that see his equipment become deactivated also don't help.
• Killjoy: When defending Killjoy is S-Tier lets make no mistake. Great at holding down sites, often all on her own, you know if you are attacking Killjoy's side you will find little joy and end up killed. Nerfs to her equipment drop her slightly on the list.
• Omen: It's been a tough couple of weeks for Omen mains as what had been the ultimate Controller has found his abilities nerfed in both intended and unintended ways. Still powerful in the right hands but the days of this reality shifting Agent being a must-pick are over.
• Sage: The original healer and the original must-pick. Sage was hit with nerf, after nerf, as she was effective both as an attacking force, as well as her original intention as a purely defensive one. Her Ult, even at its increased cost, is unrivalled.

C-Tier

• Pheonix: There is nothing necessarily bad about Pheonix's kit but in a world of Breaches and Reynas he seems slightly redundant. His self-heal and mollies can still make him effective.
• Skye: One of the newest Agents and one still finding her role. Skye is most definitely a team player and she needs solid teamwork to get the best out of her multi-faceted kit. She can heal, scout, and flash - is she actually S-Tier in disguise? Even without any buffs as players get more hands-on time with her, she may slowly climb the ranks.
• Reyna: Nerfs to both her Devour and Dismiss have caused outrage and it takes her from the A-tier to the C-tier. It could be lower but her base abilities still retain some function and the changes to her Soul Orbs make for an intriguing prospect. At lower ELOs, she is C at higher tiers she could be A or even S.
• Yoru: Changes to Yoru's kit in v2.03 have increased her intelligence-gathering abilities. She was previously in the C-Tier and she holds this position today. Like Sova this Agent's potential will only be unlocked through time spent and new tricks learned. This could easily find a place higher in this list but for the moment we can't put them higher.

D-Tier

• Viper: She's been the subject of buffs and more have been promised but it's safe to say that Viper has yet to make a real impact. Her potential as a controller is in dispute as Brimstone and Omen's smokes are far more effective. Her post-plant potential is such a one-trick pony move that its hard to ever find a reason to pick her.

So that's our Valorant v2.03 Agent tier list. Feel that we have besmirched your Agent's good name? Then you can let us know your thoughts in the comments below.