Best VALORANT Players in 2022

The VALORANT season has already ended up and it means it is high time we summed up the results of the previous year. As colossal changes on stage are awaiting in 2023, some professional players will be in the shadows and will not claim the world tops.

On the other hand, the most noticeable representatives of the stage in one way or another have found spots in partnership teams to please us with their game in the next season. In this material we want to summarize the previous year and present the best players of the discipline.

Not to stop at LOUD, FunPlus Phoenix and OpTic Gaming, we will set the following limitation: not more than one player from each team. Besides, the season turned out to be so equal in results that a specific Top does not actually make any sense. So, no ranking — only enlisting the best players of the previous season.

Derke (Fnatic)

VALORANT Players in 2022. Photo 1" />

An exceptional duelist from Finland that has overwhelmed the European stage not for the first time. Derke remains loyal to Fnatic, the team where he has been playing since April 2021.

In the previous season, Derke played successfully at both Jett and Chamber. Perhaps, the results of his team have some room for improvement as Fnatic played only at one Masters, even though the team became the fourth at the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen. The other matter is that at the VALORANT Champions 2022 the team got worse results — 5-6 place.

But, it is still hard to underestimate Derke’s contribution to Fnatic’s game. Without him the team would look much weaker. And, the appraisal the Finn got is definitely worth respect and the close attention in the following season.

pANcada (Sentinels)

One of the success creators, LOUD, managed to find himself a new home and moved under the wings of Sentinels in the previous season. Of course, it is upsetting to observe the collapse of the champion team but this is the reality.

More to the point, pANcada showed an incredible level of gaming at Sage and Brimstone and Viper. Without him, the Brazilian team could not have achieved such success, winning both local Challengers and the VALORANT Champions 2022. Besides, together with him LOUD advanced to the final of the VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík.

Now pANcada will be demonstrating their skills in the American franchise league where he will make everyone talk about himself as the main talent in Brazil.

f0rsakeN (Paper Rex)

Nowadays Asia is filled with brave and versatile players — that only is Patiphan’s return to the stage. But we are talking about the previous season and f0rsakeN from Paper Rex who stands out in the region.

In fact, the 18-year-old Indonesian conquered the international stage with his game taking over regional events. Moreover, his team made it to the final of the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen, and also performed well in Reykjavik. And in Istanbul the team did not play well but there f0rsakeN turned out to be one of the best.

So, it is obvious that such a player must have got to the rating. The main f0rsakeN’s advantage is universality of choosing dualists as he is able to play at both Phoenix and Yoru.

Considering the fact that he stayed in Paper Rex and will play in the partnership league, Asia got a solid argument for the following season and is able to surprise the stage.

Shao (Natus Vincere)

One of the main creators of FunPlus Phoenix’s success in the previous season. Yes, the Chinese club is not among the partners as the roster was left without the sniper. However, this guy quickly found himself in Natus Vincere that agreed to welcome the strongest backbone in Europe.

Shao showed himself as a stable unit and proved his worth. But if he used to be mediocre, in the previous season he was on fire on his team.

Together with him FunPlus Phoenix won the VCT 2022: EMEA Stage 1 Challengers and the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen, and also got to Top-4 in Istanbul. After he joined “Born to Win”, Shao managed to win the G-Loot VALORANT Clash - Grand Finals.

Perhaps, the skill to play as specialists and defenders shows Natus Vincere’s extraordinary luck. And if Shao keeps on performing in the same way, he will stand out among other players of the European league.

yay (Cloud9)

The strongest sniper in North America is already here. yay became the main success secret of OpTic Gaming in the previous season. Despite the absence of the club in partnership, the 24-year-old American has found a new team, Cloud9, fast.

Probably, yay stands out in comparison to other players a lot, showing an incredible stable game as Jett and Chamber. He helped the team to become the champion of the VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavík, and also made it to Top-3 finalists at the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen and the VALORANT Champions 2022.

Besides, yay became one of the leaders by different criteria. There are no prerequisites that the sniper will take Cloud9 to the top next year.

Cryocells (100 Thieves)

Stay at your seats, we have to get familiar with another talent from North America. Cryocells outshines almost everyone in the region but still he is behind yay regarding various statistics indicators.

However, taking into account his age, and he is only 19 years old, his bright future is ahead of him. And the first full-scale season at the TIER-1 stage in XSET made Cryocells a real superstar.

Together with the team, the sniper became the winner of the VCT 2022: North America Stage 2 Challengers, and also the excitement of the stage at the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen and VALORANT Champions 2022.

Now the young player with Jett and Chamber as his signature agents will stir up the franchise as a member of 100 Thieves. And if everything goes smoothly, he will be treated as an exceptional talent.

Sayf (Team Liquid)

The 21-year-old Swede was almost the only bright spot in Guild Esports. And he managed to keep the bar of an individual shape high despite all the failure of the team.

In the previous season, Sayf did not achieve any special results together with Guild Esports, having played only at the VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters - Copenhagen. However, his unique talent and an ability to combine agents of different kinds are definitely worth mentioning.

Now Sayf is going to try himself in Team Liquid, where, by the way, the competition is fierce. If he manages to cement his position in the lineup, Liquid will get a great option to adapt to the situation.

Perhaps, we can mention another ten players that deserve our attention. The list of the best players by the results of the previous season includes nAts, Sacy, ardiis, crashies, Less, Mazino, Melser, TENNN and others.

To be fair, there are no slots for everyone and the evaluation involved not only bare numbers but players’ achievement and contribution to the team’s results. In any case, we are waiting for a very interesting year where the best of the best will compete with each other. Then we will understand who is the most valuable representative of VALORANT.