TL;DR
- Jett dominated with 81% pick rate, replacing Sova as most-played agent
- Viper emerged as top controller with 49% selection after recent buffs
- European teams favored passive, tactical playstyles with heavy smoker usage
- Killjoy maintained strong presence at 58% despite map-specific variations
- Meta shifted from duelist-heavy to ability-focused team compositions

The Valorant Champions Tour Stage 2: Masters Reykjavik concluded with dramatic shifts in the professional meta that every competitive player should understand. Recent patches introduced significant agent adjustments that fundamentally altered how top teams approach map control and team composition strategy.
Professional competitors at the Masters event demonstrated a clear preference for controller agents and consistently selected Jett as their primary duelist. This strategic evolution reflects deeper changes in how teams value area denial and entry fragging capabilities.
Jett emerged as the tournament’s undisputed champion with an impressive 81% selection rate across all matches. Her mobility and ultimate versatility made her essential for creating space and securing crucial picks. While Sova previously dominated the meta, teams now prioritize Jett’s aggressive potential combined with strategic smoker support.
Controller agents experienced a renaissance at Masters 2, with Viper making her competitive breakthrough after spending nearly a year at the bottom tier. Her 49% pick rate placed her fourth overall, demonstrating how recent ability enhancements transformed her from niche pick to meta staple.
Killjoy maintained strong relevance with 58% selection frequency, though her usage varied dramatically by map. Teams completely avoided sentinels on Bind except for occasional Sage selections, highlighting how map geometry directly influences agent viability.

European squads showcased a methodical, tactical approach that heavily favored controller utility over raw fragging power. This passive playstyle laden with elaborate setups proved particularly effective on smaller maps like Icebox and Bind, where Viper’s toxic screen and poison cloud create nearly impenetrable defensive formations.
New agent Astra maintained relevance despite Viper’s rise, remaining a top selection on Haven where her global presence and cosmic divide provide unique strategic advantages. Understanding when to prioritize Astra’s star placement versus Viper’s area denial separates intermediate from advanced players.
The dramatic fall of Reyna to just 5% pick rate signals a fundamental shift in how professionals value self-sustainability versus team utility. Her previous dominance gave way to agents offering more collective value through crowd control and information gathering.
VCT Masters 2 clearly demonstrated Valorant’s evolution toward sophisticated ability usage and coordinated team play. The days of duelist-heavy compositions have given way to balanced rosters where each agent’s utility complements specific map objectives and team strategies.
While Raze maintained situational relevance on certain maps, Yoru’s enhancements failed to secure consistent playtime beyond limited experimentation by Team Vikings. This indicates that flashy mechanics alone cannot overcome fundamental utility deficiencies in high-level competition.
The meta transformation suggests that upcoming patches may further emphasize strategic depth over individual mechanical skill. Players should focus on mastering controller agents and understanding how to leverage their utility for maximum map control, similar to strategic approaches discussed in our Class Guide for optimal role selection.
Action Checklist
- Master Viper’s lineups on Icebox and Bind for maximum area denial
- Practice Jett’s dash and updraft combinations for aggressive site entry
- Study European team VODs to understand passive playstyle execution
- Develop map-specific agent selections rather than one-tricking
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Viper emerges as highest picked smoker at VCT Masters 2 VCT Masters 2 meta analysis reveals controller dominance and strategic shifts in professional Valorant gameplay
