Good day! It’s Librarian Husky. In the most recent Valorant VCT, EDG won the round by body-blocking Brimstone’s Molly. Brimstone can be a tough character to handle in post-plant situations, thanks to his various tools to force players off the spike. However, with perfect body blocking, the enemy may think you are off the spike and won’t check. That’s how EDG secured this round without much effort.

Dealing with Viper in Valorant

Viper is an incredibly powerful agent, and there are two major strategies to counter her. First, using Phantom weapons or those without tracers is effective, especially in her smokes or ultimate. Without visible tracers, you can spray through and clear space. Secondly, buying a Shorty on rounds when she has her ultimate is a strong tactic. Since visibility is low in Viper’s ultimate, a Shorty can easily confirm any close-quarter kill, and this strategy is often used by professional players.

Using the Shorty Inside Smokes

They aim to enter the smoke and kill someone with the Shorty, which is an incredibly strong tactic. Countering any agent can be challenging, especially without good aim.

Omen’s Strategies and Tactics

When playing against Omen, there are a couple of key things to monitor. First, always know when Omen has his ultimate. Omen frequently lurks aggressively and can cut off rotations or teleport to grab the spike and plant. This is a common strategy, and being prepared allows you to counter or avoid falling into a lurk trap that Omens often set.

How to Counter Killjoy

To counter Killjoy, it’s crucial to clear lanes of her utility. Many players try to avoid sites with Killjoy, but if you take the time to clear some of her utility, like breaking her turret, you can force her to play on-site. This often draws rotations from other players to support her.

Opening Up the Map Against Killjoy

Dealing with Killjoy’s utility can open up the map, allowing for strategic rotations, re-hits, or lurking through mid. Clearing her utility is essential to create opportunities. This pressure can force rotations from the enemy team, making it easier to take control of the map and plan your next move.

Countering Cypher

Cypher can be frustrating, especially on maps where his tripwires are difficult to avoid. He excels when players stick to one lane, so it’s important to spread out. If you can destroy his trips with an ability, that’s ideal. Otherwise, attack from multiple angles—using mid or wrapping around—to open up different lines of sight, making it harder for Cypher to rely on his utility.

Managing Sova’s Recon Darts

When facing Sova, pay attention to his Recon dart placements. Many Sovas have consistent lineups for their darts, hitting the same spots each round. If you anticipate this, you can shoot them quickly, reducing the impact of his information-gathering. Alternatively, positioning yourself outside the dart’s range allows you to re-enter the space once it fades, potentially catching the enemy off guard.

Next Up: Sage

Sage’s presence on the battlefield adds another layer of complexity to fights. Whether through her wall or healing, knowing how to counter her abilities is essential for maintaining control and pushing through defensive setups effectively.

Dealing with Sage in Post-Plant Situations

When in post-plant scenarios, you must be cautious when facing Sage alone. If Sage hasn’t used her wall yet, she can cut off your line of sight and stick the defuse, making it difficult to stop her. Being prepared for this can make the difference between winning and losing the round.

Contesting Phoenix’s Orb Control

Against Phoenix, especially on maps like Bind, where he farms orbs, it’s crucial not to allow him to gather orbs uncontested. Many Phoenix players will spend time defaulting and taking space to collect orbs, enabling them to use their ultimate frequently. Make sure to challenge Phoenix and, if possible, claim the orbs yourself to prevent him from building ultimates too quickly.

Countering Jet’s Execute Plays

Jet often uses the same execute patterns on specific sites. You can set up a counterplay by placing utility to shut down her dashes. For example, placing tripwires farther back can catch her after she dashes past. Additionally, keep track of the opponent’s economy; knowing when Jet can afford an Operator can help you prepare for her more aggressive plays.

Jet’s Frequent Use of Operators

Jet players tend to buy Operators more frequently than other characters, so you need to be extra cautious when facing them. Understanding this will help you adjust your positioning and play more carefully to avoid being picked off by long-range shots.

Countering Reyna on Pistol Rounds

Reyna can be especially dangerous on pistol rounds. It’s important to force her to use Dismiss instead of Devour after getting a kill. If Reyna wins a fight and heals, she becomes much harder to deal with. It’s best to challenge her as a duo, so even if she gets one kill, she can’t gain significant momentum.

Handling Raze’s Alarm Bot

When playing against Raze’s Alarm Bot, deciding whether to shoot the bot or hold for an enemy swing can be tricky. If an enemy is near, it’s often better to tank the Alarm Bot and focus on winning the duel with good crosshair placement. Enemies frequently swing as soon as the Alarm Bot activates, giving you a chance to outplay them.

Playing Against Breach

When facing Breach, it’s essential to play counter-flash. Breach’s utility can be overwhelming, but anticipating his flashes and playing defensively can help you avoid being caught off guard. Good timing and positioning can allow you to turn the tables and push when Breach’s abilities are on cooldown.

Playing Anti-Flash Against Breach

Breach is a character that excels at flashing and clearing most corners. It’s a good idea to have one player on site playing specifically anti-flash. If you’re two players on site, one should position to avoid getting flashed, allowing them to turn and protect the flashed teammate. Be cautious of common setup locations for utility like Killjoy’s Lockdown or Sova’s drone. Breach players are familiar with these setups and can easily shut them down, so adjusting your position is key.

Countering Skye

When facing Skye, there aren’t many specific counters, but the main thing is to shoot her guiding light dogs when you’re not in the direct line of fire. Helping your team by dealing with her utility quickly can reduce its value. When Skye’s ultimate is active, focus fire as a team to destroy it before it gathers too much intel.

Understanding Yoru’s Repeated Executes

Yoru’s tricks tend to follow the same patterns, so it’s important to learn his execute setups. If you’re consistently falling for the same Yoru plays, you need to pay more attention to his teleport locations and lineups. Yoru often repeats the same setups, so recognizing them early will allow you to counter his strategy more effectively.

Countering Yoru’s Flash Executes

Yoru often executes onto a site by flashing into a corner and trying to make a play. If you can anticipate which corner he will target, you’ll be better prepared to deal with him when he pops out. Understanding his patterns will help you counter his aggressive plays more effectively.

Managing Astra’s Combo Plays

When facing Astra, be very cautious of small cracks in walls where opponents might hide. Astra players often coordinate deadly combo plays using her Gravity Well (“suck”) with grenades or other utility. If you’re not paying attention, these combinations can quickly wipe out your team. Always check the map carefully and anticipate such setups.

Tracking KAY/O’s Ultimate

KAY/O’s ultimate can drastically change a round, especially when combined with a rush. Teams often create entire strategies around KAY/O’s suppression ability, shutting down defensive Sentinel setups. If you know KAY/O is close to getting his ultimate, aggressively challenge orb control to disrupt their strategy, or predict the site they will target to set up a defense.

Dealing with Chamber’s Lurks

Chamber excels at lurking, cutting rotations, and denying map control. Similar to other Sentinels, you must actively fight for map control when playing against Chamber. Don’t let him dominate a single area; spread your influence across the map to minimize his effectiveness and prevent his traps from catching your team off guard.

Dealing with Chamber’s Map Control

If you’re fighting for A main and then decide to rotate, Chamber can easily cut off your rotation, leaving your team stuck. This makes it harder to contest other Sentinels and Chamber effectively. To counter this, fight for control in different parts of the map, or at least maintain presence in key areas to avoid being cornered.

Countering Neon’s Aggression

Neon is known for her aggressive plays, often using multiple stuns and slides to control the site. If you see Neon burning through her utility, counter her by playing more defensively, either offsite or near offsite. This positioning allows you to punish her when she exhausts her abilities and attempts to take control. Neon’s speed can be overwhelming, so always be mindful of her sudden movements, especially when she is mid-ultimate or sliding unpredictably. Keep your distance and play smart to shut down her fast-paced plays.

Choosing the Right Weapon Against Neon

I believe that the Phantom is a bit easier to use against Neon than the Vandal. Neon’s fast movement and aggressive style make precise shots harder, so the Phantom’s better handling in close-quarters combat can give you the edge. It’s important to adapt your weapon choice based on her unpredictable playstyle.

Playing Against Fade

When facing Fade, avoid being overly aggressive in defensive positions that she can easily clear. For example, on A-site defense in Ascent, if you push too aggressively, Fade’s dog can easily flush you out. Position yourself in corners where you can safely retreat if necessary, instead of committing to a high-risk play where Fade’s abilities can quickly expose you.

Harbor’s Ultimate and Positioning

Harbor’s ultimate is another key ability to track. If you’re playing against it, avoid positions where leaving the ultimate’s area forces you into an open or vulnerable spot. Instead, stay in a position that offers multiple forms of cover so you can move strategically and avoid being forced into a direct fight when you have to leave the circle.

Focusing on Gecko’s Thrash

When playing against Gecko, one of the best strategies is to focus on Thrash. If your team communicates well and focuses fire on Thrash together, it becomes much easier to deal with. Coordinated focus can quickly neutralize this ability before it becomes a threat.

Coordinating Against Thrash

If multiple teammates focus on shooting Thrash together, it’s much easier to manage. However, if one person is running and the other is fighting, the fighter might get stunned, leaving the runner to escape while the stunned player is eliminated. This leads to a 1v1 scenario. To avoid this, communicate better with your team, either by covering for the teammate who got stunned or by focusing Thrash together more effectively.

Dealing with Deadlock’s Barrier

As a team, focus on breaking Deadlock’s barrier, even if you plan to rotate. Don’t let the barrier or her other utilities persist before rotating off. If you can break through some of her utility, it forces the enemy to spread out more, reducing Deadlock’s control over one site. This strategy can make it harder for her team to defend effectively.

Handling Utility on Maps Like Abyss

On maps like Abyss, where Deadlock or similar agents play, if you manage to break through utility quickly and enter the site, there’s no need to immediately disengage or rotate. Sometimes, teams rotate off too soon after spending 5-10 seconds at the front of the site, expecting the enemy to have fully rotated. Instead, stay on the site if you’ve cleared enough utility, as enemies might still be positioned for a retake.

Challenging ISO in 1v1s

ISO is a character that actively seeks out 1v1 duels, making him difficult to challenge in these situations. It’s generally better to avoid engaging him head-on, especially in high-risk areas like windows or when trying to snipe. Instead, focus on a strategic approach—chip away at him with utility, fight as a team, and use weapons like the Phantom, which offers more consistent damage than a Vandal in such duels.

Fighting Against Clove’s Ultimate

When facing Clove, especially if you know they have their ultimate ready, it’s smart to create distance. If you retreat immediately when Clove uses the ultimate, you can maintain enough range to avoid being shut down. Players should preserve movement abilities and avoid being too close, as Clove’s strategy often revolves around being aggressive early in the round to maximize the value of their ultimate.

Countering Clove’s Ultimate

Clove tends to play aggressively, especially when their ultimate is available. If you anticipate their ultimate, you can strategize to minimize its effectiveness. By recognizing their intent to use the ultimate, you can plan to counteract it effectively and reduce the value they gain from it.

Baiting Vice’s Wall

When facing Vice, a useful tactic is to jump peak the wall to bait it out. By doing this, you can force Vice to activate their wall without getting trapped. This is crucial since Vice’s wall can deny you from planting or entrap you behind enemy lines. Any time you suspect a Vice wall is nearby, jump peeking can help you avoid being caught.

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