Pro players in the VALORANT community are expressing doubts about the potential impact of the game’s newest agent, Iso. Despite his stylish appearance, many pros believe that Iso’s ability kit may not make him a prominent choice in the game’s meta.
Iso is currently in the early stages of release, with only a select few players having access to him. This includes pro players and individuals closely tied to the pro community. Initial reactions suggest that Iso’s abilities may not be as impressive as initially anticipated.
Sean Gares, former coach of 100 Thieves and current streamer for Shopify Rebellion, questions the value of Iso’s kit. He points out that Iso’s ability, Contingency, a bulletproof wall that moves forward similar to Harbor’s Cascade, can be easily countered by utility that slows, stuns, flashes, or deals damage. Since the shield only blocks bullets and not abilities, it may not provide enough protection in crucial situations. Gares also notes that Iso seems to rely heavily on other agents to be effective, which is unusual in a game where duelists are typically self-sufficient. However, he does acknowledge that Iso’s ultimate can be useful for retaking sites and countering opposing ultimates.
Other members of the pro community share similar concerns. Former NRG in-game leader, Pujan “FNS” Mehta, believes that Iso may not be suitable for professional play as he doesn’t offer enough as a duelist compared to agents like Jett or Raze. FNS speculates that Riot may intentionally release slightly underpowered agents to avoid introducing broken ones, as seen with previous agents like Chamber and Astra. This approach allows for easier adjustments through buffs rather than nerfs.
Chet Singh, FNS’s former coach, suggests a potential solution to make Iso more viable in competitive compositions. He proposes building a new style of composition that doesn’t treat Iso as a traditional duelist. Instead, teams would need to create strategies specifically tailored to Iso’s unique abilities. Singh questions how a wall that blocks all bullets could be considered ineffective and believes that a different approach is necessary to fully utilize Iso’s potential.
It’s important to note that these opinions are based on early access gameplay, and perceptions may change once Iso is fully released and pro players have had more time to experiment with him. Despite the skepticism from pros, many still anticipate Iso to be a popular choice for ranked play due to his fun and stylish design.
Source: DOTESPORTS
