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When taking on opponents in Valorant, it’s essential to gain every possible advantage, especially when there’s no way to know where enemies are located.
One of the best ways to initiate a push against enemies is with vision-impairing abilities. In Valorant, there are many blinds and flashes players can use to disable enemy vision briefly. These abilities are used differently by each agent.
Agents can have anywhere from one to three blinds. In total, six different agents possess these abilities, and they all vary in how long they last. It’s important to know how each Valorant agent’s blinding ability works so it can be both used and countered effectively.
Tier list of Valorant vision-impairing abilities
S Tier
Reyna
Reyna’s Leer is a near sight blind that lasts 2 seconds. She can cast it by throwing it into any area and even through walls. Reyna can purchase two Leers 400 credits or one for 200 credits.
Unlike other blinds, Reyna’s Leer only affects enemies. Her blind is excellent for entering sites as her teammates won’t be affected by it. Although her blind can be destroyed, it can tell players whether an enemy is near or not. Additionally, before her blind is thrown, Reyna can see where the blind will go by looking at her minimap.
Factoring in its entry power, along with it’s inability to blind teammates, it’s safe to say Reyna’s blinding ability is one of the best in Valorant.
A Tier
Breach
Breach’s Flashpoint is probably the most annoying flash in Valorant. As an initiator, he can set up teammates for site executes from close or long distances. Additionally, Breach can have up to three Flashpoints for 600 credits or one for 200.
Breach shoots Flashpoint through a wall, which flashes players on the other side of the wall. Fully blinded players will be affected for 2 seconds. With three total flashes, dealing with Breach can be an absolute nightmare. Flashpoint can work long distances, so his position isn’t given up when he uses the ability.
Although Breach is an initiator, he can act on his own flashes. He can blind himself and teammates, though, so it’s essential to understand the timing of his flash. Also, for the flash to be fully effective, it may take some communication with teammates.
Omen
Omen is the only controller agent in Valorant with the ability to impair vision. He can only have one, which costs him 400 credits after patch 2.0. Even with the price increase, Omen’s blind, Paranoia, remains one of the most potent abilities in Valorant.
If Paranoia connects with an enemy, they are both near sight blinded and deafened. After blinding, Omen can teleport without enemies knowing, or he can go straight in for the kill. The blind lasts 2.5 seconds total, giving Omen or his teammates plenty of time to move in on affected players.
Paranoia has decent range, allowing Omen to initiate pushes for his teammates. It can be thrown through obstacles or out in the open. Its deafening effect can confuse enemies and keep them guessing about enemy whereabouts.
It’s no wonder that this ability costs 400 credits. Allowing Omen to have more than one Paranoia would be downright unfair to opponents.
B Tier
Phoenix
Phoenix flashes alone aren’t quite as strong as many others in Valorant, but they can be exceptional in certain conditions. His flash, Curveball, must be thrown at a curve. Phoenix can have two Curveballs available for 400 credits or one for 200.
Unlike Reyna and Omen, there is no exact indication of where Phoenix’s flash will end up. Although it isn’t super difficult to control, it will take some practice for Valorant gamers.
Phoenix can blind both himself and his teammates with his flash. Players must perfect the timing and distance of his flash to maximize its effectiveness. Fully flashed players will remain affected for 1.75 seconds.
One of the most effective ways to use Phoenix’s flash is when it’s thrown through a smoke or from behind a Phoenix or Viper wall. This creates an opportunity for him to flash directly onto sites without throwing it around a corner.
Curveball is one of the most challenging flashes to dodge in Valorant. It can’t be destroyed, and it can come around the corner before enemies are aware of it. Overall, the flash lands in C-Tier because of the many conditions required for maximum effectiveness.
Skye
Like Breach, Skye is an initiator agent that can equip three flashes in a single round. Her flash, known as Guiding Light, can be controlled before it activates, which will affect players for about two and a half seconds. She starts each Valorant round with one flash and can purchase two more per round for 100 credits each.
Skye’s flash is excellent for intel. Since enemies can destroy her Guiding Light, any attempt to do so will alert her and her teammates that enemies are near the flashed location. Additionally, Skye knows if she blinds an enemy or not in Valorant.
Although her flash is clearly mighty, it takes practice and coordination for it to be truly effective. Skye can play off her own flash in certain situations, but the ability is much stronger when she is initiating for her teammates.
C Tier
Yoru
Although Yoru has only had a brief stint in Valorant thus far, it seems that his flashes are the least impactful.
His flash, Blindside, lasts just one second, which is less than any other one in Valorant. To activate his flash, it must first bounce off a surface. Since he is new, it’s possible that the best way to use his flash in Valorant is yet to be discovered.
Each vision-impairing ability in Valorant can be exceptional under the ideal circumstances. However, some are better in more situations. It’s crucial to master the timing of the flashes and blinds to use them to their best.
Speculation has begun about whether the next Valorant agent will also have a flash. If this is the case, there will be another agent to rank among the vision-impairing tier list.
Note: This list reflects the author's views only.
