At the highest levels of competitive VALORANT, only a few duelist agents see consistent play. However, the new map, Sunset, may bring back one of the game’s most iconic duelists.
In preparation for the upcoming VCT 2024 season and the first official VCT China league, teams from the region are participating in the Evolution Series, using Sunset in their map pool. While this could be experimental, both Bilibili Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix showcased the viability of Phoenix in their recent match on Sunset.
Phoenix’s abilities, such as Blaze Wall and Hot Hands Molotov, prove incredibly useful on Sunset’s narrow chokepoints. These abilities can delay pushes or retakes, forcing opponents to either take damage or enter blindly, giving the rest of the team an opportunity to rotate and provide support.
Sunset’s abundance of corners and hiding spots further highlights Phoenix’s strengths. His Curveball flash can clear these areas, while his Run It Back ultimate reduces the risk of pushing a site without thoroughly checking each corner. Additionally, having Phoenix lead the charge with his clone increases the team’s chances of successful trades.
Bilibili even experimented with Viper/Phoenix Molotov combos, which proved deadly when landing on unsuspecting enemies. Even if the combo didn’t find a target, it allowed the team to gain ground and control more space.
As more VCT teams begin experimenting on Sunset, it is possible that Phoenix will become a staple pick on the newest map by the time the 2024 season arrives.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
