TOP 15 best VALORANT players at the start of 2023
perepelovskyVALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo just wrapped up, introducing us to a few new names, but also making it clear that past leaders are still doing fine. Over the next month, the teams will be preparing for the regional leagues, but the favorites can already be identified.
These include the players who make history on the server. After the end of the tournament in Brazil, it makes sense to decide on the TOP-15 of the strongest VALORANT players at the start of the season. To maintain objectivity, we will limit ourselves to five representatives from each league in order to highlight the talents of all key regions.
Europe
Leo
Let's start with the best player of the past VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo. The young Swede spent two seasons with Guild Esports, where he made it to the semifinals of the VCT 2021: Europe Stage 1 Masters and participation in the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen.
However, after moving to Fnatic, he managed to dramatically improve his results, and not only his personal statistics. In recent months, 19-year-old Leo has won the Superdome and LOCK//IN, and for the latter he won the MVP award.
Statistically speaking, the Swede posted an impressive 1.28 rating, remaining the most valuable player in the league when many metrics are averaged.
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Shao
Speaking of the best players in Europe, one cannot pass by Shao, the current leader of Natus Vincere. The young player joined Born to Win from the FunPlus Phoenix camp, where he won the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen last season.
Already together with a formally new team, Shao continued to demonstrate a high-class game, marking the victory in the G-Loot VALORANT Clash - Grand Finals, as well as reaching the LOCK//IN semi-finals.
Moreover, in Brazil, he remained one of the leaders in many statistical metrics, including a serious rating of 1.29. Moreover, the highest KAST only emphasizes Shao's efforts and contribution to the game "Born to Win".
trexx
Another former Guild Esports player who found himself in the KOI roster. Despite the team's failure in Sao Paulo, 18-year-old trexx has become a prominent figure on the past VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo.
In particular, he managed to become the best player in a difficult match against NRG, racking up an impressive 1.24 rating along with high ACS and ADR. In other words, trexx has left a loud claim for the future, and the guy will still prove himself at a distance.
However, even today the 18-year-old player is rightfully considered one of the strongest in the context of the younger generation.
Derke
You can't get past the Fnatic leader. The 20-year-old Finn stood out last season with strong performances, for which he received mentions from many sources.
Now Derke has had another strong championship, having been a big help in Fnatic's initial victories on LOCK//IN. Despite the average performance, the young player is still valuable to the team, as he is able to perform several functions at once.
Moreover, the strong ACS and ADR figures only confirm Derke's value in the current Fnatic team structure.
cloud
The last representative of Europe worth mentioning is Cloud. Perhaps the most inconspicuous hero of the past VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo, but he really made a huge contribution to the Giants game, which almost beat NRG.
In fact, Cloud showed great promise back in the days of playing for Natus Vincere, but there he did not manage to reveal himself to the fullest. Now, the 19-year-old has led the Giants with strong numbers in the last tournament.
In particular, Cloud was marked with a rating of 1.26, and also showed particular stability in other key metrics.
America
mwzera
As the first representative of America, it is worth noting mwzera. The 21-year-old Brazilian player recently joined the FURIA roster, although he had previously gained experience in Keyd Stars and even played as part of VALORANT Champions 2021.
Despite the failure of FURIA at the home tournament, although here the team was not lucky enough to get to Fnatic, mwzera became one of the best players in terms of his distance. In particular, the 21-year-old Brazilian scored 1.26 and was also among the leaders in key metrics.
It goes without saying that mwzera will have a great future ahead, as he will be given more opportunities in his league to unleash his full potential on the instigators.
Shyy
The rising star of Leviatán Esports also deserves a mention. The 18-year-old Chilean player joined the team last summer, but during this time he managed to win VCT 2022: LATAM Stage 2 Challengers Playoffs, and also visited VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen and VALORANT Champions 2022.
Now, at the start of the new season, Shyy was the creator of Leviatán Esports' interim success at VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo, where he helped the team reach the quarterfinals.
As for statistics, here the Chilean also turned out to be among the best representatives not only of his region, but of the entire championship. In particular, Shyy had a rating of 1.22, and also showed high values in other metrics.
crashies
An equally impressive championship was held by crashies. Moreover, the 25-year-old American used to be one of the best players on the planet before, because last season, together with OpTic Gaming, he managed to win VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík, and also get into the top three at VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen and VALORANT Champions 2022.
Now crashies helped his team reach the LOCK//IN semi-finals, where he looked more stable than all the others. Moreover, in the lost match against LOUD, the American struggled to create at least some chances for his team.
Crashies' individual success is evident in the stats as the 25-year-old scored a 1.18 rating and also showed great ACS, KAST and K/D.
Less
Of course, one cannot pass by the representatives of LOUD, the most notable of which is Less. Last year, the 18-year-old Brazilian became the champion of VCT 2022: Brazil Stage 1 Challengers, VCT 2022: Brazil Stage 2 Challengers and VALORANT Champions 2022, and also reached the final of VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík.
Back then, Less stood out from his teammates. Now, the Brazilian has started right off the bat to help LOUD reach the finals of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo.
Despite an embarrassing loss to Fnatic, Less was one of the most consistent players in the tournament. In particular, the Brazilian has a strong rating of 1.15, as well as high values for other statistical indicators.
Ethan
The last American representative who deserves a mention should be Ethan. The 22-year-old American, despite his young age, managed to mark his achievements in CS:GO, but in VALORANT it is not so bright yet.
It was only at the end of last year that he managed to move to the Evil Geniuses to become the leader of the team on LOCK//IN. In particular, the American stood out not only with a rating of 1.21, but was among the leaders in KAST.
Moreover, the supporting role was perfect for Ethan, who became a serious help to the “Evil Geniuses” in the tournament. And if not for the early departure, the American could be much higher in the statistical reports.
Asia
k1Ng
The most rated player of the past VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo turned out to be k1Ng. However, here you need to understand the main thing - the South Korean player flew out of the tournament after the first match.
However, even so, k1Ng managed to score an impressive 1.36 rating. Moreover, the 21-year-old South Korean showed great promise even earlier, being considered a budding player.
However, last season, the perpetual loan roam played a cruel joke on k1Ng, who didn't find himself in the On Sla2ers. However, a strong start for Gen.G Esports should inspire k1Ng for further exploits, as the makings are visible.
mako
The unsung hero of the DRX collective was considered the most consistent representative of the scene last season, when he won both regional championships, taking third place at VALORANT Champions 2022 along the way.
At the start of the new season, MaKo continued to show a strong performance, finishing in Brazil with a rating of 1.23. In addition, the contribution of the 21-year-old South Korean helped the team reach the LOCK//IN semi-finals.
And there is no doubt that in the future MaKo will continue to drag a team that is rightfully considered the strongest in Asia and has no competitors.
foxz
The 23-year-old was the biggest revelation of the last tournament in Brazil as he became the leader of Talon Esports. Of course, foxz has shown strong performances in the X10 Esports/ XERXIA rosters before, and even reached the quarterfinals of VALORANT Champions 2021.
However, VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo was a high point for the 23-year-old Thai "instigator" who helped his team get rid of MIBR and Evil Geniuses, as well as compete with DRX.
In terms of statistics, foxz achieved a 1.12 rating, but also performed well on a number of other metrics.
JessieVash
Special mention deserves JessieVash, the captain of Team Secret, who single-handedly knocked out Team Liquid at the start of the last championship. However, the experienced Filipino, who has a ten-year history in esports behind him, helped his team achieve results even earlier.
However, at the last LOCK//IN, he managed to become the leader of Team Secret not only in terms of building the game, but also individually overtaking the younger members of the team.
Despite being knocked out by Natus Vincere, JessieVash delivered an excellent ACS and didn't miss in important rounds. In general, age did not affect the game of the Filipino, who recently turned 33 years old.
garnetS
The last player worth mentioning had to be garnetS. The 18-year-old representative of Talon Esports actually played his first big championship.
However, garnetS managed not to get lost in the background of more experienced teammates, along the way playing a crucial role in the victories over MIBR and Evil Geniuses. This is not to say that the young player from Thailand has managed to stand out statistically, but his consistency, coupled with his age and lack of experience, speaks of great potential.
Therefore, there is every right to consider garnetS one of the best players in his region right now.