TL;DR
- Sage, Cypher, and Brimstone dominate S-tier for their game-changing ultimates and site control
- Omen and Sova provide crucial information denial and map-wide smoke capabilities
- Raze excels as an aggressive Cypher counter despite lacking traditional utility
- Agent viability shifts dramatically between pro play and ranked environments
- Team composition and counter-picking strategies outweigh individual agent strengths

During a recent streaming session, Spencer “Hiko” Martin, the respected captain of 100 Thieves’ Valorant roster, delivered an expert breakdown of agent effectiveness specifically tailored to professional competitive environments.
“Our evaluation framework focuses exclusively on high-level team-based professional gameplay,” Hiko clarified. “This analysis excludes solo queue performance, unrated matches, and purely fun-based assessments to concentrate on strategic utility in coordinated team settings.”
Valorant S-tier agents
Hiko immediately positioned Sage in the elite S-tier category, describing her as potentially “the most impactful agent currently available” due to professional players’ consistent ability to accumulate eliminations necessary for charging her resurrection ultimate ability. The strategic capacity to revive fallen teammates can completely reverse round outcomes, while her area denial capabilities through slow orbs provide additional defensive layering that proves indispensable in coordinated team compositions.
Cypher secured his S-tier placement through exceptional solo site holding potential and comprehensive intelligence gathering. Although his selection frequency has declined in standard competitive queues, Cypher maintains consistent preference among professional competitors who maximize his trap and camera placement effectiveness.
Brimstone earned elite status primarily through possessing what Hiko characterized as “the most effective smoke deployments in Valorant.” When protecting planted spikes during post-plant scenarios, Brimstone’s orbital strike ultimate creates unparalleled area denial that significantly complicates defusal attempts for opposing teams.
Valorant A-tier agents
Omen provides substantial smoke utility that frequently earns him selection across multiple maps, particularly for countering double operator setups through strategic vision denial. His global smoke deployment range enables unique cross-map executes that few other agents can replicate effectively.
Sova represents another A-tier selection despite underwhelming performances on previous community tier lists. Hiko emphasized how Sova’s reconnaissance arrows effectively neutralize Viper and Cypher defensive setups by revealing positions despite concealment attempts.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Hiko positioned Raze firmly within A-tier despite widespread criticism regarding her perceived utility deficiencies. When operated by professional competitors, Raze consistently demonstrates top frag potential and exceptional area denial capabilities.
“Raze consistently counters Cypher setups effectively,” Hiko explained. “A skilled Raze player can single-handedly maintain choke point control for extended durations, disrupting enemy executes.”
Valorant B-tier agents
Breach narrowly missed A-tier classification, ultimately landing in B-tier because professional players typically prefer Omen or Sova for similar crowd control functions with additional benefits.
Jett occupies B-tier primarily for her sniper rifle proficiency, which proves valuable during operator-heavy metas but suffers relevance during the current strategic landscape.
Phoenix represents another B-tier agent whose capabilities simply don’t match the utility provided by higher-tier alternatives in coordinated team environments.
Hiko eventually addressed C-tier placements, positioning Viper and Reyna at this level. While community discourse often debates Reyna’s overpowered nature, professional competitors demonstrate consistent ability to counter her effectively. Hiko acknowledged her flashes as “the game’s most potent,” but emphasized that her ability effectiveness remains heavily dependent on elimination accumulation, creating inconsistent performance timelines. At lower competitive ranks, Reyna demonstrates stronger performance through superior duel-winning capabilities.
Professional Meta Analysis and Counter Strategies
Understanding agent counter-pick relationships proves crucial for professional success. The Sage-Cypher-Raze triangle demonstrates how professional teams build compositions around these strategic interactions. For teams looking to improve their strategic depth, our Class Guide provides foundational team composition principles applicable across tactical shooters.
Common Professional Mistakes: Many teams overvalue individual agent strengths while underestimating compositional synergy. Professional players frequently misallocate resources toward flashy individual plays rather than coordinated team utility usage.
Advanced Optimization: Top competitors maximize agent effectiveness through precise ability sequencing and timing coordination. The difference between average and exceptional Sage play, for instance, lies in resurrection timing decisions and wall placement creativity.
For comprehensive tactical development, our Complete Guide covers broader strategic frameworks, while weapon proficiency development through our Weapons Unlock system mastery complements agent selection strategies.
Strategic Timing Considerations: Professional matches often hinge on ultimate economy management. Teams that coordinate ultimate usage across multiple rounds create unstoppable execute sequences that overwhelm even the most prepared defenses.
Action Checklist
- Analyze opponent composition for counter-pick opportunities before agent selection
- Prioritize Sage, Cypher, or Brimstone for foundational team compositions
- Practice Omen smoke placements for specific map choke points
- Develop Sova arrow lineups for intelligence gathering on common defensive setups
- Coordinate ultimate usage with teammates to create unstoppable execute sequences
- Avoid Reyna in professional settings unless specifically countering duel-heavy compositions
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » 100 Thieves’ Hiko shares new agent tier list for Valorant Professional Valorant agent tier list analysis from 100 Thieves captain Hiko with strategic insights
