Counter-Strike 2 hype is also getting to Valorant, as players come up with an agent idea inspired by Source 2 smokes.
Counter-Strike 2 has new smokes
that react with the environment and let bullets pass through. If you’re committed to exploiting the new feature, you can even defuse the smoke entirely for a few seconds using HE or Negev. While this game-changing feature sounds exceedingly annoying, it also encourages gunplay. For this reason, even Valorant players are impressed.
Valorant is a game known for its utility-heavy agents, where gunplay often takes the backseat. With Kay/O, Riot tried bringing gunplay back to the fore, but the agent pick rate shows players rejected him. However, some players are interested in the idea of a “smoke defuser.”
Valorant players want an agent inspired by Counter-Strike 2
In 2023, Valorant has five smokers, each equipped with multiple smokes, save for Harbor. That’s a lot of site blockage, and Valorant players wish they could counter them.
Kay/O’s knife shuts down a small area and all agents’ toolkits for a short duration. But, Counter-Strike 2’s new responsive smokes have intrigued Valorant players who can’t help but imagine if there was an agent who could tackle smokes in particular.
In a Reddit post, user /Justice-valorant brought up the possibility of a smoke defuser, and other players weighed in.
“I just had this thought for about a year now, and since CS2 looks like smoke clearing is possible now, I thought Valorant could maybe have an agent that has that specific ability in their kit,” the player said.
While his idea was mainly well-received, Valorant players raised valid concerns. The critical difference between Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant is of utility. In Counter-Strike 2, all players are equipped with the same abilities, whereas in Valorant, each agent brings something new to the table.
Dedicating an agent to countering a particular class only won’t work in Valorant. Agents are typically self-sufficient and different, yet can handle all enemies uniquely, like Kay/O. Creating an agent who solely defuses smokes won’t work in the long run.
But the idea is undoubtedly tempting. Riot could introduce a Kay/O-like agent who tackles abilities head-on instead of throwing a hit-or-miss suppressor.
Fariha Bhatti
About Fariha Bhatti
Fariha Bhatti is a long-time gaming writer who loves competitive FPS games and slots with particularly fun themes. She got her start playing classic games developed by SNK, from legendary fighting game series The King of Fighters to challenging platform franchise Metal Slug. She now spends most of her time playing Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 while working her way through new slot releases to find her next favorite. Fariha has been published at PCGamesN, TalkEsport and ONE Esports.