Valorant: 10 Best Agents To Counter Phoenix

Phoenix is one of Valorant’s most aggressive duelists, using his flashes, healing, and Run It Back ultimate to take early fights and push through defenses. His self-sustain and entry fragging abilities make him a tough opponent, especially when he flashes through smokes or forces duels with his molly.

To counter Phoenix effectively, you need agents that can deny his healing, outplay his flashes, and shut him down before he takes over rounds. Whether you prefer initiators that disrupt his plays, controllers that block his entries, or sentinels that trap him before he can get aggressive, picking the right agent can make dealing with Phoenix much easier.

In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best agents to counter Phoenix and stop him from running through your team in Valorant! If you want to climb the ranks faster and avoid dealing with Phoenix altogether, you can always buy our professional Valorant boosting service, where our Radiant players will get you to your dream rank quickly and easily.

#10: Reyna

Phoenix thrives on taking aggressive fights, but Reyna is one of the best duelists to shut him down. Since both agents rely on winning duels and self-sustain, the difference comes down to who lands the first shot—and Reyna’s kit gives her the edge.

Her Leer (flash) is great for blinding Phoenix through his own smokes, making it easier to take him down before he can react. If she secures the first kill, her Dismiss allows her to reposition instantly, denying Phoenix a trade kill—even if he used Run It Back (ultimate).

If you want a duelist that can challenge Phoenix in direct fights, escape after securing kills, and shut down his aggressive plays, Reyna is a solid counter.

#9: Sage

Phoenix relies on self-healing and aggressive entry plays, but Sage can completely shut him down by denying his space, out-healing his damage, and stopping his pushes.

Her Slow Orb makes it much harder for Phoenix to run through smokes or push aggressively, forcing him to play at a slower pace, which isn’t his strength. If he tries to force his way in with his flashes, Sage’s Barrier Orb (wall) can block his entry, wasting his utility.

Most importantly, Sage’s Healing Orb out-heals Phoenix’s Hot Hands, meaning she can keep herself and her teammates alive even after Phoenix has burned through his utility.

If you want a sentinel that can deny Phoenix’s rushes, counter his healing, and control fights at her own pace, Sage is one of the best picks.

#8: Viper

Phoenix thrives on quick entries and close-range fights, but Viper’s toxic utility completely disrupts his playstyle by forcing him into bad fights and limiting his healing.

Her Toxic Screen (wall) and Poison Cloud (smoke) make it nearly impossible for Phoenix to flash in effectively, since he has to push through decay damage, making him weaker before he even takes a fight. If he tries to heal with Hot Hands, Viper’s Snake Bite (molly) can deny his healing zone, forcing him to take damage instead.

Since Phoenix often relies on Run It Back (ultimate) to make risky plays, Viper can instantly punish him by using Snake Bite or spraying through her smokes, catching him before he can even take a fight.

If you want a controller that can stop Phoenix’s aggressive entries, weaken him before fights, and deny his healing, Viper is a great counter.

#7: Yoru

Phoenix relies on predictable flash and entry patterns, but Yoru’s deception and teleportation make him a nightmare to track, forcing Phoenix into bad fights.

Yoru’s Fakeout (decoy footsteps) can bait Phoenix into wasting his flashes or pushing into bad angles, making it easier to punish him. His Gatecrash (teleport) allows him to instantly reposition, preventing Phoenix from securing an easy trade if he wins a duel.

If Phoenix tries to use Run It Back (ultimate) aggressively, Yoru can engage and teleport away after dealing damage, wasting Phoenix’s ult without putting himself at risk. And if Phoenix is hiding behind his own wall or playing inside a smoke, Yoru’s Blindside (flash) is perfect for catching him off guard.

If you want a duelist that can outmaneuver Phoenix, punish his predictable aggression, and control fights on your terms, Yoru is a strong counter.

#6: Raze

Phoenix loves pushing aggressively and taking close-range fights, but Raze’s high-damage explosives completely disrupt his playstyle and make it much harder for him to get away safely.

Her Boom Bot is perfect for scouting Phoenix’s usual entry routes, forcing him to reveal his position or take damage before he can make a play. If he tries to run through smokes or push aggressively, Raze’s Paint Shells (nade) can punish him, making it risky for him to commit.

Even Phoenix’s Run It Back (ultimate) isn’t safe—Raze’s Showstopper (rocket launcher) can instantly eliminate him before he even gets a chance to take a fight, completely wasting his ult.

If you want a duelist that can shut down Phoenix’s rushes, deal huge area damage, and force him out of his comfort zone, Raze is a top-tier counter.

#5: Jett

Phoenix relies on flashes and tight angles to win fights, but Jett’s mobility lets her dodge his utility and take better engagements.

Her Tailwind (dash) allows her to escape Phoenix’s flashes and mollies, making it much harder for him to get free kills. If he tries to push aggressively, Jett can Updraft to reposition and catch him off guard.

Jett’s Cloudburst (smokes) can also block Phoenix’s vision mid-fight, making his plays much less effective. If he activates Run It Back (ultimate), Jett’s Bladestorm (ultimate) lets her quickly eliminate him before he can gain value.

If you want a duelist that can outmaneuver Phoenix, dodge his utility, and take unpredictable fights, Jett is a great counter.

#4: Breach

Phoenix thrives on fast entries and quick gunfights, but Breach’s high-impact crowd control makes it nearly impossible for him to play comfortably.

His Fault Line (stun) can stop Phoenix mid-push, making him an easy target before he can use his flashes or molly. If Phoenix tries to flash into a site, Breach’s Flashpoint (flash) can counter him instantly, blinding him before he gets the chance to react.

Breach’s Aftershock (molly) is also a great tool for denying Phoenix’s healing spots, making it much harder for him to recover after taking damage. And if Phoenix uses Run It Back (ultimate), Breach’s Rolling Thunder (ultimate) can completely shut down his push and leave him defenseless.

If you want an initiator that can shut down Phoenix’s plays, stop him from rushing, and make his utility much less effective, Breach is one of the best counters.

#3: KAY/O

Phoenix relies heavily on his flashes, molly, and self-healing, but KAY/O can completely disable his entire kit, forcing him to take raw gunfights without any utility.

His ZERO/POINT (knife) silences Phoenix, preventing him from flashing, healing, or using Run It Back (ultimate). This makes Phoenix far less effective, especially when he’s trying to entry onto a site.

KAY/O’s FRAG/MENT (molly) is also great for denying Phoenix’s healing spots, stopping him from regaining health after an aggressive push. If Phoenix flashes through smokes, KAY/O’s own FLASH/DRIVE (flash) can completely counter him, forcing him into a disadvantage.

And if Phoenix uses Run It Back (ultimate) aggressively, KAY/O’s NULL/CMD (ultimate) can suppress him instantly, making it completely useless.

If you want an initiator that can shut down Phoenix’s utility, force him to rely on pure aim, and deny his healing, KAY/O is a top-tier counter.

#2: Cypher

Phoenix relies on fast pushes, surprise flashes, and self-healing, but Cypher’s intel-gathering and trap-based kit completely shuts down his playstyle by forcing him into bad fights.

His Trapwires are perfect for catching Phoenix as he tries to rush through smokes or push aggressively, leaving him vulnerable before he can even start a fight. If Phoenix uses Run It Back (ultimate) to entry, a Trapwire will instantly reveal and slow him, making it easy to eliminate him before he gets value.

Cypher’s Spycam gives constant vision on common Phoenix entry routes, making it much harder for him to flash in undetected. His Cyber Cage can also block Phoenix’s vision, disrupting his ability to flash or take duels effectively.

If you want a sentinel that can track Phoenix’s movements, punish his aggressive plays, and force him to think twice before rushing in, Cypher is one of the best counters.

#1: Sova

Phoenix relies on surprise plays, aggressive entries, and self-healing, but Sova’s intel-gathering abilities make it nearly impossible for him to stay hidden or take safe fights.

His Recon Bolt can reveal Phoenix’s position before he flashes in, making it much easier to shut him down before he gets started. If Phoenix tries to heal with Hot Hands, Sova’s Shock Darts can force him out of his healing zone, preventing him from regaining health.

If Phoenix uses Run It Back (ultimate) to make a risky push, Sova’s Owl Drone can track him while he’s vulnerable, and his Hunter’s Fury (ultimate) can eliminate him from a distance before he even gets a chance to take a fight.

If you want an initiator that can expose Phoenix’s position, deny his healing, and punish his predictable aggression, Sova is the best counter.

Conclusion

Phoenix is a strong entry fragger with self-sustain, aggressive flashes, and a high-impact ultimate, but the right agents can shut him down before he gets value. Whether you use Sova’s recon, KAY/O’s suppression, or Cypher’s traps, there are plenty of ways to counter his predictable plays and deny his healing.

If you’re struggling against a Phoenix who keeps flashing in and taking over rounds, adapting your strategy and picking an agent that can track, disrupt, or punish his aggression is the key to stopping him. Use these top 10 counters to keep Phoenix in check and gain the upper hand in your Valorant matches!