Phoenix, once celebrated as the face of Valorant, has seen his prominence wane significantly since the game’s early days. This fall from grace is a stark contrast to his initial acclaim, making it crucial to examine why Phoenix has become one of the least favored agents in pro play and what might be done to revive his relevance.

The Rise of Phoenix

In Valorant’s starting ages, Phoenix stood out as a versatile and dynamic duelist. As one of the original agents, he was designed to offer a well-rounded toolkit for aggressive plays. His abilities—Curveball, Blaze Wall, Hot Hands, and Run It Back—provided a balance of offense, defense, and self-sustain. Phoenix’s Curveball was a unique flashbang with a curving trajectory, ideal for entry fragging.

His Blaze Wall not only blocked sight but also inflicted damage on enemies and healed him as he moved through it. Hot Hands could clear tight spaces and heal Phoenix if used strategically, while Run It Back allowed him to reappear at his original position after death, providing an opportunity to gather intel or make aggressive plays without severe consequences.

In early competitive play, Phoenix’s kit was instrumental. With high pick rates and a significant role in various team compositions, Phoenix was seen as a top-tier agent by players who ranked him among the best. This was particularly evident in North America, where Phoenix’s aggressive playstyle and self-sufficiency were highly valued.

The Fall from Grace

As the game evolved, Phoenix’s prominence began to diminish. The introduction of new agents and shifts in the meta saw other duelists, such as Jett, and Reyna, taking over the spotlight. Phoenix’s versatility, once a strength, began to pale in comparison to the more refined kits of newer agents. Jet, with her mobility and powerful ultimate, quickly became the preferred choice for entry fragging and high-impact plays.

Despite Phoenix’s consistent utility, including the slight increase in the cost of his abilities, his pick rate began to drop. The influx of new agents with more effective or innovative abilities further overshadowed Phoenix’s kit. His Curveball, while unique at launch, was soon outclassed by newer flashbang mechanics that offered better vision denial and safer entry options. Similarly, Phoenix’s Blaze Wall, which was once seen as a game-changer, fell short compared to the more versatile walls provided by agents like Viper and Neon.

Comparison to other Agent Abilities

Phoenix's kit has been increasingly compared to newer agents like Kay/O and Clove, highlighting how outdated Phoenix has become. Kay/O's flashbang and molly are more effective than Phoenix's. Kay/O's flash has a longer range, and his molly travels further, while Phoenix's molly is slow, short-ranged, and lacks impact. The Blaze Wall, meant to be a defensive tool, is considered one of the weakest walls in the game. Neon’s wall, with its greater range and dual-wall feature, far surpasses Phoenix’s in utility.

Phoenix’s ultimate, Run It Back, is also overshadowed by Clove and Kay/O's abilities. Unlike Phoenix, Clove and Kay/O offer true resurrection capabilities. Clove's ultimate, while not immediately impactful, allows her to fully resurrect and rejoin her team. Whereas Phoenix is forced to return to his original position with limited benefits if he survives the ultimate. This makes Phoenix’s ultimate feel inadequate compared to the more flexible and game-changing abilities of other agents.

The Current State of Phoenix

Phoenix's current status reflects a critical need for rework or substantial buffs to make him viable in today's meta. Despite receiving a minor buff in Patch Notes 5.01, Phoenix's presence in competitive play remains minimal. In VCT 2023, Phoenix was only played twice out of 69 matches, and in 2024, his pro play presence is limited to occasional, unorthodox picks like those by LOUD.

In 2024, Phoenix’s struggles continue. His presence in VCT Champions 2024 before the playoffs was a mere 1%, just above Reyna's 0% presence. Reyna's low competitive presence is attributed to her design being more suited for solo queue. Yoru, with a 9% presence, demonstrates better viability compared to Phoenix.

According to tier lists from Mobalytics and SkillCapped, Phoenix is often rated poorly. Either as too weak or overshadowed by other duelists like Jett and Raze. His win rate, while higher than some, is misleading due to his low play rate.

This discrepancy suggests that his high win rate is driven more by smurfs and one-tricks than by genuine effectiveness in competitive play. According to tracker.gg, Phoenix's presence is at 2.9%, slightly better than Yoru's 1.9%. However, it is still considered abysmal in both solo queue and competitive play.

The Need for a Rework

The current state of Phoenix highlights a critical need for a rework or substantial buffs to make him viable in today’s meta. His abilities, once good, now feel underwhelming when compared to the evolving standards of agent kits. Phoenix’s inability to compete with the high-impact, versatile abilities of newer agents like Kay/O underscores the need for a fundamental overhaul.

Discussions reveal a desire for Phoenix to be revisited by Riot. Players have suggested various changes, such as improving the effectiveness of his Curveball or making his Run It Back ultimate more reliable. However, Riot has yet to provide concrete plans for Phoenix’s rework. For now, Phoenix remains a relic of Valorant’s early days, struggling to find a place in a rapidly changing meta.

Phoenix is a Relic from the Past

Phoenix's trajectory from a top-tier duelist to an underperforming agent highlights the challenges of maintaining relevance in a rapidly evolving game. His current state reflects a broader issue faced by many agents as new strategies and abilities emerge.

While Phoenix played a crucial role in Valorant's early days, his kit now seems outdated compared to the advanced abilities of newer agents. Whether Riot will address Phoenix's shortcomings remains to be seen. However, his dedicated fans continue to hope for a rework that could restore his former glory.