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How Tejo is Changing the Valorant Competitive Scene

The early stages of the 2025 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) season have showcased an unprecedented level of balance in agent selection. The highest pick rate belongs to Omen in the Americas, sitting at 54%. This percentage is significantly lower than previous dominant agents, which have often exceeded 60% or even 70%. Notably, Astra leads in EMEA with a 50% pick rate, demonstrating regional variance in controller preferences. This shift suggests a more dynamic and varied meta, where no single agent dominates across all regions.

One of the most promising signs of this balanced meta is the near-complete utilization of the agent pool. Every agent except Reyna has seen playtime, highlighting the viability of multiple compositions. This breadth of options contributes to what can be considered the freshest and most open-ended meta in Valorant’s history.

The Impact of Tejo on Valorant Team Compositions

The introduction of Tejo has played a crucial role in shaping the current meta. Unlike some past agent releases, Tejo has immediately established a presence, with a significant pick rate in the Americas at 39%, making him the fourth most selected agent in the region. His design as a combo-based agent has forced teams to reconsider their compositions. His abilities synergize well with Astra’s gravity well, as well as other agents like Neon, Yoru, or Deadlock, leading to shifts in standard setups.

Teams have been experimenting with various ways to integrate Tejo into their strategies. Some opt for Yoru to maintain traditional flash utility without sacrificing recon power, while others pair Tejo with Breach to capitalize on stun-based setups. This adaptability has led to regional disparities, with Pacific at only 14%, EMEA at 24%, and China lagging at 8%, potentially due to their earlier start in the season.

Double Sentinel Compositions

A key development from the latter half of 2024 that has gained traction in 2025 is the emergence of double Sentinel compositions. Historically, Sentinels have been limited to niche maps like Icebox, where Sage-Killjoy duos were effective. However, teams have begun leveraging Deadlock and Vice together, particularly on Bind.

This setup challenges the longstanding double controller meta on Bind, with Deadlock and Vice providing an oppressive defensive setup. The ability to slow down enemy attacks and establish early information makes retaking against this combination extremely difficult. Vice, with its initiation capabilities, has become a more viable alternative to Cypher, further influencing agent selection trends.

The Decline of Traditional Sentinels

While double Sentinel comps are gaining popularity, the traditional Sentinel role appears to be diminishing. Cypher and Killjoy have seen a drop in pick rates, with Killjoy especially losing favor outside of the Pacific region. Maps that previously relied on Sentinel play, such as Lotus and Ascent, have seen teams opt for alternative strategies, often favoring triple initiator setups or aggressive, information-heavy compositions.

Teams have begun prioritizing aggressive setups that forego Sentinels entirely, accepting the occasional defensive vulnerability in exchange for superior offensive firepower. This shift reflects a growing willingness among teams to trade defensive stability for increased pressure in attacking rounds, particularly with compositions inspired by EDG’s hyper-aggressive approach at Champions 2024.

 

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