Check out the very best Controller gamers of the 2023 season of Valorant
Controllers in Valorant typically don’t come into the limelight as a result of their supportive and passive function, primarily centered on staying alive to deploy smokes for his or her teammates. This cautious method ceaselessly locations them in clutch conditions, and it is exactly in these moments that Controllers have the chance to actually shine.
The 2023 VCT season has drawn to a detailed, and we now discover ourselves within the low season, eagerly anticipating the upcoming VCT 2024. Quite a few gamers showcased distinctive expertise and performances of their respective roles this yr. As we await the beginning of the brand new yr, let’s flip our consideration to the Controller gamers who dominated the 2023 season.
Credit score: Riot Video games
5. Cahya “Monyet” Nugraha
- VLR Ranking: 1.13
- Common Fight Rating (ACS): 219.1
- Kill-Demise Ratio: 1.13
- Kill/Help/Survided/Traded: 75%
- Common Injury Per Spherical: 142.4
- Headshot Share: 24%
Monyet has been the speak of the neighborhood for a number of weeks now, significantly for the reason that announcement of the Indonesian prodigy’s inclusion within the SEA super-team Paper Rex. Nevertheless, this is not the primary occasion the place the 18-year-old has captured the highlight and made waves locally. Monyet beforehand garnered consideration for his extraordinary Controller expertise whereas enjoying for World Esports.
Monyet joined GE in October 2022 when the Indian franchised group was assembling its group for the Pacific League. Initially a part of a seven-man roster, it did not take lengthy for Monyet to ascertain himself within the lineup completely. Whereas GE was persistently on the backfoot all through the season, Monyet at all times delivered standout performances in practically each match.
Monyet’s excellent efficiency all through the season is underscored by his spectacular score of 1.13, marking him because the second-highest-rated Controller participant within the league, trailing solely behind MaKo.
4. Jake “Boaster” Howlett
- VLR Ranking: 1.02
- Common Fight Rating (ACS): 170.2
- Kill-Demise Ratio: 0.94
- Kill/Help/Survided/Traded: 76%
- Common Injury Per Spherical: 105.1
- Headshot Share: 19%
Boaster has earned the status of being the very best IGL within the franchised leagues, largely as a result of FNATIC’s dominance within the 2023 season, the place they clinched two worldwide trophies. Along with being the group chief on the server, he shoulders the function of the Controller for his group. From what now we have seen from him for the previous three seasons that he has been with FNATIC, though he could not possess the identical stage of mechanical prowess as others on this checklist, it’s his profound sport sense that units him aside.
Boaster is ready to play all 4 Smoke brokers adeptly. His playstyle is a bit safer, a pure consequence of his function as a Controller throughout all maps. Nevertheless, his gameplay additionally boasts innovation, as seen by his unconventional function as a secondary OP-er for his group on the Assault aspect. This unorthodox method, though uncommon, has confirmed remarkably efficient on quite a few events, showcasing Boaster’s skill to push the boundaries and discover distinctive methods to contribute to his group’s success.
3. Sam “s0m” Oh
- VLR Ranking: 1.12
- Common Fight Rating (ACS): 204.9
- Kill-Demise Ratio: 1.16
- Kill/Help/Survided/Traded: 77%
- Common Injury Per Spherical: 130.9
- Headshot Share: 25%
s0m underwent a exceptional transformation, transitioning from a duelist extraordinaire to establishing himself as probably the most gifted Controller gamers within the NA area. The 21-year-old American was the one participant NRG retained from their pre-franchised group. With the addition of s0m to the NRG core and European famous person ardiis, they crafted probably the most formidable rosters of the VCT 2023 season.
Within the new roster, s0m took the function of Controller, and there have been appreciable doubts concerning how nicely he might carry out. The doubts have been dispelled quickly sufficient after the beginning of the VCT Leagues. Regardless of NRG’s sluggish begin to the season, s0m emerged as their most reliable performer proper from the outset. Whilst NRG regained their kind, it was s0m and his impeccable Controller gameplay that arguably exerted probably the most vital affect on the group’s success all through the season.
2. Marco “Melser” Machuca
- VLR Ranking: 0.97
- Common Fight Rating (ACS): 183.9
- Kill-Demise Ratio: 0.93
- Kill/Help/Survided/Traded: 73%
- Common Injury Per Spherical: 119.9
- Headshot Share: 30%
Melser left Leviathan and joined KRU Esports for the VCT 2023 season. KRU is notorious for being probably the most unpredictable group on this planet. In a single occasion, they could end on the backside of the rankings, and within the subsequent one, they may emerge as champions. That stated, Melser, throughout his time with the Latin American group, has been their most constant performer each throughout the group’s highs and lows. The present season serves as probably the most compelling proof of that.
KRU began the season on a dismal word with 10 losses in a row. The group positioned final within the Americas League, and expectations have been exceedingly low as they entered the Americas LCQ. Nevertheless, in a exceptional flip of occasions, Melser and his teammates defied all odds by embarking on a sensational profitable streak that culminated in them clinching victory in the LCQ and securing a spot within the Valorant Champions 2023.
Melser performed an instrumental function in KRU’s Cinderella run, delivering an distinctive efficiency because the Controller-main for the group. Regardless of KRU’s general outcome, Melser has absolutely cemented himself as probably the greatest Controller gamers on this planet along with his efficiency this season.
1. Kim “MaKo” Myeong-kwanqq
- VLR Ranking: 1.15
- Common Fight Rating (ACS): 211.3
- Kill-Demise Ratio: 1.11
- Kill/Help/Survided/Traded: 76%
- Common Injury Per Spherical: 136.4
- Headshot Share: 18%
MaKo’s consistency has been unmatched for some time now. He launched into his Valorant journey with Imaginative and prescient Strikers (now DRX) in 2021 and instantly established himself as the very best Controller participant within the sport. This standing has remained unaltered for the previous two years. Every time discussions come up concerning the season’s prime Controller gamers, MaKo has at all times been within the dialog. For instance, it was Marved, pancada, and MaKo final yr, whereas this yr, it’s between MaKo and Melser.
The 2023 season noticed DRX embark on a mission to place an finish to their worldwide trophy drought, however it in the end yielded a well-known narrative. The Korean powerhouse got here near clinching the trophy however fell quick by the slender margins. But, no blame will be attributed to MaKo, because the 21-year-old continued to shine as probably the most impactful performer on his group. His exceptional clutch potential and the flexibility to safe essential rounds for his group have been nothing in need of unimaginable.
