Valorant is a very volatile game. Think about it. A player getting a spam kill through smoke that helps them win a bonus round that changes the trajectory of the game. Or a player deciding to tap the spike and swing as opposed to sticking to half first, because their aim feels better that day. I’m not saying it’s all luck or that skill doesn’t matter. Top players have incredible gamesense. They know when to spam through smoke, when to tap the spike, and they make smart, informed decisions. But the reality is that there are countless tiny nuances in every round and game that make consistent results almost impossible. Even if teams play at their best, do prep beforehand, vod review, whatever, there are still these factors that make the game so volatile. At the highest level, any team can beat another team, given the conditions are right.
In my opinion, results shouldn't be taken TOO seriously. FNC vs LOUD Lock In, Acend vs Gambit Champs, G2 vs T1 Bangkok, EDG vs TH Champs. If you replayed each match five more times, I genuinely believe each replay would produce a different outcome. And this doesn't apply to just the grand finals of international tournaments (I'm just listing some examples), it could apply to any game. Like EG making Tokyo due to 100T loss vs MIBR knife kill. Some ppl may see my G2 flair and say I'm coping, but I'm not taking anything away from T1's win. Nor am I taking away the credit that each match winner deserves. On that day, they were the better team, so they deserve the win and the glory. Whichever team that wins on the day of the match deserves the win for sure. I'm just trying to point out the things that make the game so volatile. The teams at the top are so close in skill level that its these small nuances that can be the determining factor for who wins.
I think one of the reasons why G2 is so consistent is because they try to minimize valorant's volatility and unpredictable moments by sticking to solid fundamentals. By playing "textbook valorant", they adapt to and manage the game’s unpredictability better than most. But even for them, many matches still come down to those tiny moments and split-second decisions.
But imo, this volatility is what makes the game so exciting, since you never truly know who is going to win. I also feel like this is why upsets are more common in this game, as opposed to other esports or sports.
What do you guys think?
Discord