So the controller role, what do we know about it? One thing in common that they have is they have "Vision-denial abilities" or so called, according to the Valorant Fandom Wiki although they stated that it isn't the official term but denying vision is literally what they do, in short, smokes. Now, although this IS the main part of their kit, it's not the ONLY thing that makes them a controller.
According to Riot (source: in game), Controllers are "experts in slicing up dangerous territory" which most likely means dividing the map into parts, NOT specifically mentioning smokes, vision blocking or anything of that sorts. You know what else there is that you can do to divide the map? Mollies and crowd control abilities like Brimstone's Incendiary, Viper's Snake Bite, Omen's Paranoia, Astra's Gravity Well, Harbor's entire kit, and Clove's Meddle HECK even their Not Dead Yet (ult) can be considered a crowd control since it encourages enemies to stay away from them.
Now, Valorant is a tactical shooter centered around the unique abilities each agent has, and with this, power creep is for sure a thing that is bound to happen but Riot is good at balancing (at least Valorant, idk about League pls correct me on this :D). Now, the smokes role is hard to balance since all of them do the same thing and have the same signature abilities, and there hasn't been a "unique" controller since like Astra. Harbor and Clove can easily be subbed out by their better counterparts which are Viper and Brimstone respectively and Omen is just STILL dominating on every map right now and there hasn't really been contest ever since, heck we even started seeing O M E N O N B I N D.
For an agent that can contest Omen's part in the meta, I've designed one that you can view here:
https://anotepad.com/notes/fgpfr7ew
tldr; C = suck, slow, tether, Q = kayo flash that nearsights, E = smokes with omen movement, brim placement (select multiple before placing) and range, X/Ult = Astra suck but in one direction.
That's pretty much it, we used to be mad at Viper being indestructible with the many nerfs but look at Omen man.
Thanks so much, simbhdri out.
NO AI WAS INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF THIS WHATSOEVER, ALL OF THIS WAS HAND-TYPED BY MYSELF, SIMBHDRI.
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