Why are players upset following significant Omenssmoke nerf in new Valorant patch?

August 05, 2024

We are just a few days away from Episode 6 and it will be bringing many things. Players will be getting the new map ‘Lotus’, a new skin bundle, and a brand new battle pass. But among all these things, Valorant devs have also changed a minor but very important feature of Omen. Omen will not be able to place his smoke within a wall. It will now drop to the height of the surrounding ground.

Omen is a top-tier controller agent in Valorant. There are 3 controllers that have generic smokes- Brimstone, Astra, and Omen. Among these Omen is the best to pick. His smokes refresh and he has one of the best blinds in the game. His ability to reposition helps in confusing opponents. Brimstone’s smokes don’t refresh. Astra is just straight-up hard to play and isn’t even optimal on every map.

These changes will become live with the new Episode 6. Some pro players and content creators were upset with these changes.

Players will not be able to use one-way smokes with Omen in Valorant

One-way smokes are very useful and are hard to counter in Valorant. You can create a one-way by placing your smoke in such a way that only you can see the opponent’s leg or other parts and the opponent won’t be able to see you. All controllers and Cypher can create one-way. In the case of Viper and Cypher, you have to place the smoke orb and Cage on the wedged area in the wall. Astra is a situational case. But, Omen is the king of one-way Smokes. He can create One-way smoke anywhere he wants to.

But following Patch 6.0, Omen will no longer be able to create one-way smoke. Dark Cover will no longer remain in place when put inside a wall; instead, it will fall to the height of the surrounding ground. Omen used to be able to throw his smokes close or on top of other objects, and they would stay put. But that’s not the case now. It will slightly affect his value.

Adam “kaplan” Kaplan, the coach of the Sentinels, commented on the change by stating that while he understands Riot’s viewpoint, he does not believe that Omen will be able to enter the meta or even be a top controller agent without the feature.

I get this change – Riot can’t really control balance of one ways without it – but I hope this means the map designers add some more intentional one ways to offset since Omen really isn’t in a state that can survive much of a nerf without Astra just totally overtaking. https://t.co/3QXPK1dCvV

— SEN kaplan (@itskaplan) January 6, 2023

Famous content creator and streamer “Flexninja” is best known to play Omen. He was also surprised and upset with these changes.

Joey Simas, a Valorant level designer, tweeted that players can still use one-way smoke if they place them on a ledge or other forms of geo.

This only affects one ways where Omen was placing his Dark Cover inside of a wall. It doesn't stop one ways where you are intentionally placing it on a ledge or other form of geo. The inside of a wall case felt more like a bug then intended gameplay. https://t.co/gD7fKVyhBo

— Joey Simas (@JoeySimas) January 6, 2023

Some users also said that it is a good change because it is hard to counter these one way. A user said

“one-ways are honestly such a selfish play bro. smokes are meant to help your team enter the site not a real nerf I love omen and viper with my entire heart”

All in all, the community is upset with these changes and asking Riot Games to reconsider these changes. It will be very interesting to see if devs listen to this reaction and will change their mind to nerf Omen.

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