In an FPS like Valorant, the sniper rifle is the only weapon that can kill you in a single shot, which can make the gaming experience frustrating for some. The Operator attracts criticism from players who wish to see it nerf in an upcoming patch.
However, Riot Games disagrees, and it was during one of its weekly streams that the lead character designer, Morello, responded to players' complaints:
"We don’t think the Operator is overpowered. We think some portions of utility might be underperforming in mid Elos, but not elite Elos or expert Elos. We don’t think there’s a balance problem."
He develops his thought a little further by adding that players should first analyze their gameplay before blaming the weapon directly.
"If you’re playing double Sentinel, my expectation is that OPs body you. You have some answers, but it’s going to be much harder for you. If you’re running a double Controller comp, I think that’s much better for dealing with OPs."
"My worry is that we don’t see people running a Breach, or a Phoenix, or a Reyna who have flash-like utility, because I think our flash-like utility might just not be potent enough compared to some of the guns."
To sum up, we'll have to be patient since Riot Games doesn't intend to nerf the Operator right away. The publisher will first of all buff its counters, which is also good news for the players. Until then, be careful when you're exposed!
It seems that for Valorant Episode 1 Act 2 Riot Games is choosing a new ranking system modifying slightly the Competitive mode.
