One of the most well-liked Agents in Valorant's roster, Phoenix, was well-selected when the shooter
debuted back in 2020. With the launch of the game, his popularity soared. Unfortunately, for a
variety of reasons, his pick rate has decreased during the past two years.

The last two years have witnessed a significant change in meta for Valorant. Players are more
interested in agents with numerous uses than those with only one. Phoenix has contributed to the
game's power creep, which has hurt his chance of being picked. He used to be a flexible Duelist that
people choose more frequently. However, his list of shortcomings currently surpasses the
respectable skills he can offer the club.

What causes Phoenix to have such a low pick-rate in Valorant?

Phoenix is struggling to survive the game's current meta for a variety of reasons. His utility and his
failure to adjust to the balance in Valorant are two of these problems that are intimately connected.
Phoenix was the ideal Duelist two years ago, and players loved him. Over time, the Agent lost his
skills to some other Initiators and Duelists who, in every situation, are better at their jobs than they
are.

The five key factors that are preventing players from selecting the flaming Agent less frequently in
matching and professional play with each episode are listed below.

1) Phoenix's Flash

clipboard-write encrypted-media gyroscope picture-in-picture  His Flash is not just badly built, 
even simpler to use than though it is much  some other Flash Agents.
To use it, players must constantly be around a corner. They run a significant risk of both themselves
and their squad becoming blind if they don't.

Nowadays, players are using the reverse-flash tactic in inventive ways so they can profit from a
verified kill as soon as they employ it. These factors significantly reduce his pick-rate because players
can select a different Duelist with a higher blinding prowess.

2) Limited aggression

Phoenix lacks the ability to flee after a kill, in contrast to Reyna and Jett. As a result, players are
forced to consider their actions considerably more carefully before acting aggressively.
Only his Ultimate gives him the ability to open fire on opponents. Players can choose Reyna because
she has escape Orbs or Jett because she can rush out of a combat or updraft. Phoenix is now far
more under-selected as a result.

3) Weak signature ability

Phoenix's Hot Hands Molly may be an effective healing technique for the individual, but it is far less
valuable to the team than some other Duelists in Valorant. The Agent's primary goal as a Duelist
should be to have tools that aid players in their gunfights. Players who use mollies as a signature skill
tend to employ it post-battle to heal themselves rather than during gunfights. He falls short in this
situation since Skye and Jett have considerably stronger signatures.

4) Run it Back's drawbacks

Unquestionably one of the best Ultimates in Valorant is Phoenix's Run it Back. Despite this, there are
some substantial disadvantages. The Agent is exceedingly susceptible while employing the power,
which makes it simpler for his adversaries to get the better of him.

Additionally, when Phoenix uses his Ultimate, his team's tempo is disrupted. There is a considerable
probability that the Duelist will be killed if he uses his Ultimate to aid his team in taking over a
location. This will force him to return to the location where he used the ability, requiring him to
travel there again.

5) Power creep

There are presently 19 playable Agents in Valorant, each of them has a variety of special skills. Most
of the services that Phoenix offers can be provided more effectively by another Agent.
Reyna, Skye, and KAY/O are renowned for having stronger flashes. Additionally, because it subdues
the enemy, KAY/Ultimate O's is superior in every regard. Additionally, he doesn't need any
teammates to keep an eye on his physique.