Top 5 Controller players to look out for at VCT Masters Shanghai

VCT Masters Shanghai is the second international event in the 2024 season. It will see a total of 12 teams from the four franchised leagues go head-to-head against each other to become the second and final Masters champion of VCT 2024.

Controller players in Valorant are at times overlooked by many in the community. These pros are some of the most important and this is the only role on the team where a player can have an impact by playing both passively and aggressively.

Below is a list of five Controller players that viewers should look out for in VCT Masters Shanghai.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

The best Controller players to keep an eye on during VCT Masters Shanghai

1) bang

bang at VCT Americas Kickoff (Image via Riot Games)

Sean "bang" Bezerra is an American esports player who plays for 100 Thieves. He is the primary Controller player for his team but has also stepped into the role of the Initiator Agents, Skye and KAY/O, in the past.

bang was already considered one of the top Controller players in NA, however, VCT 2024 is seeing him reach newer heights. During the Americas Stage 1, bang was a menace for his opponents. He was always good for multi-kills and would have a high amount of impact in most rounds. In the Grand Finals of the event, he got a total of 56 kills and topped the scoreboard. He was also able to secure an Average Combat Score (ACS) of 210.1 in the entire event.

2) Karon

Karon at VCT Masters Madrid (Image via Riot Games)

The South Korean esports player, Kim "Karon" Won-Tae plays for the team, Gen.G. He plays almost every Controller Agent for his team but has even stepped into the role of the Duelist, Jett in the past.

VCT Masters Madrid saw Karon rise up to the challenge and go toe to toe against the world's best. For his first international event, he had an incredible performance and left his mark in history as one of the best newcomers in VCT history. Karon was able to continue the same level of performance during Pacific Stage 1 as he continued to have a high amount of impact and clutch some seemingly impossible rounds.

He was able to secure a total ACS of 188.6 while playing four different Agents. Karon is definitely an incredible Controller player who could earn his first international trophy in VCT Masters Shanghai.

3) valyn

valyn at VCT Americas Stage 1 (Image via Riot Games)

Jacob "valyn" Batio is an American esports player who currently plays for the team, G2 Esports. Apart from playing as the Controller Agents, he has also fulfilled the role of the Sentinel, Cypher, and the Initiator, KAY/O, in the past.

valyn is among the best in-game leaders (IGLs) of the North Americas VCT scene. However, the 2024 season has seen him step up a lot more when it comes to his individual fragging. Americas Stage 1 was the first true test for the Ascension winners and valyn, alongside his G2 teammates, was able to live up to the expectations.

He was incredible in Stage 1 and went on top frag with 101 kills in their lower finals match against Leviatán. valyn was among the top Controller players at the event as he secured a total ACS of 210.1 and will be a deadly player to face during VCT Masters Shanghai.

4) mindfreak

mindfreak at Valorant Champions 2023 (Image via Riot Games)

The Indonesian esports player, Aaron "mindfreak" Leonhart plays for the team, Paper Rex. He has always been the Controller player for his team but has also switched over to the Initiator Agent, Sova on certain maps.

mindfreak is among the most clutch players in the Pacific region. With a chaotic playstyle like Paper Rex's, he has always been the safe pair of hands. His fragging potential is out of the world as he always managed to get multi-kills and clutch out seemingly impossible scenarios for his team.

mindfreak is also the player who always has a high amount of impact and is consistent throughout the event. In Pacific Stage 1, he got himself an ACS of 193.3 and could very well get Pacific their first international trophy by winning VCT Masters Shanghai.

5) BerLIN

BerLIN at VCT Masters Madrid (Image via Riot Games)

Zhang "BerLIN" Bolin is a Chinese esports player who plays for FunPlus Phoenix. Apart from playing the role of Controller for his team, he also played as the Initiators, Sova and KAY/O, when needed.

BerLIN and his team have been on top of Chinese Valorant for a few years now. The new franchised era has been no different. Under the leadership of BerLIN, FunPlus Phoenix has been among the few teams that have bested the top Chinese team, EDward Gaming.

In this journey, BerLIN's individual performance has also been quite impressive. In China Stage 1, he secured a total ACS of 184.9 while playing five different Agents. VCT Masters Shanghai is a chance for him and his team to bring the region its first international trophy on home soil.

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