Hey Valorant fans! Want to dominate your ranked games in 2024? Then you need to know the best Sentinel agents. These guys are the backbone of any good defense, providing crucial intel, lockdown potential, and support for your team. So, let's dive into the top picks that will help you climb those ranks!

What Makes a Great Sentinel in Valorant?

Before we jump into the specific agents, let's quickly break down what makes a Sentinel truly shine in Valorant. A good Sentinel isn't just about sitting back and holding a site; it's about proactively controlling space, gathering information, and disrupting enemy pushes.

• Information Gathering: Sentinels excel at providing their team with intel on enemy locations and movements. This could be through the use of recon abilities, traps, or simply by controlling key areas of the map.
• Area Denial: A key part of a Sentinel's job is to make it difficult for the enemy to push onto a site. They achieve this through the use of abilities that slow, stun, or block off areas.
• Defensive Lockdown: When the enemy does manage to push, Sentinels have the tools to lock down a site and delay the attackers long enough for their team to rotate.
• Flexibility: While primarily defensive, the best Sentinels also offer some level of flexibility, allowing them to contribute to the attack or play aggressively when needed.
• Team Support: While often independent, a good Sentinel’s abilities can and should synergize with the team. Whether it be through providing cover, setting up flanks, or combining abilities for maximum impact, teamwork is key.

Keeping these attributes in mind will not only make you a better player overall, it will allow you to make a better decision on which Sentinel is right for your playstyle. Remember, each agent has strengths and weaknesses, and learning how to optimize their use will be the key to your success.

The Top Sentinel Agents in Valorant 2024

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here are the top Sentinel agents you should be focusing on in Valorant in 2024, each offering unique strengths and playstyles. Remember that this is subjective and depends on team composition, map, and personal preference, so try them all out and see which one clicks with you!

Cypher: The Master of Surveillance

Cypher remains a strong pick in 2024 due to his unparalleled information-gathering capabilities. His Cyber Cage can be used to slow down enemies and provide cover, while his Spycam allows you to scout ahead and gain valuable intel on enemy positions. However, his ultimate, Neural Theft, is where Cypher truly shines. By using it on a dead enemy, you can reveal the location of all remaining enemies, giving your team a significant advantage. One of the reasons that Cypher remains relevant in the meta is his ability to adapt to nearly any team composition or map. His kit is incredibly self-sufficient, allowing him to be effective whether his team coordinates with him or not. That being said, a coordinated team can maximize the impact of a Cypher by combining intel gained with coordinated pushes or rotations.

In 2024, Cypher players need to focus on a few key areas to maximize their effectiveness. First, master the art of Spycam placement. A well-placed Spycam can provide constant intel without being easily detected. Experiment with different spots and angles to find the most effective placements. Secondly, learn to use Cyber Cages strategically. They can be used to block off chokepoints, slow down pushes, or even create one-way smokes. Finally, always be ready to use your ultimate. Time it correctly to gain the most valuable intel for your team. If you’re playing Cypher on a map with tight choke points or lots of corners, focus on using your cages and Spycam to lock down areas. On more open maps, play more aggressively, using your Spycam to scout ahead and your cages to create opportunities for your team. Practice makes perfect when it comes to Cypher, so put in the time and you'll be rewarded with valuable intel and control over the battlefield.

Killjoy: The Turret Queen

Killjoy is a powerful Sentinel who excels at locking down sites with her Turrets and Nanoswarms. Her Turrets provide early warning of enemy pushes and can deal significant damage, while her Nanoswarms can be used to deny areas and flush out enemies. Her ultimate, Lockdown, is a game-changer, completely locking down a site and forcing enemies to retreat or risk being trapped. For those reasons, Killjoy is an exceptional choice for more passive players, particularly those who enjoy holding down the fort. However, Killjoy can be more than a passive sentinel; when paired with a coordinated team, her area denial and zoning abilities can be used to push the enemy into unfavorable positions, making her extremely valuable on attack.

To be a successful Killjoy player in 2024, focus on optimizing your Turret placements. Place them in strategic locations that provide maximum coverage and are difficult for enemies to destroy. Also, learn to use your Nanoswarms effectively. They can be used to deny entry points, flush out enemies from cover, or even delay defuses. When using your ultimate, make sure to communicate with your team and coordinate your push. For example, on a map with multiple entry points, focus on using your Turrets to cover the flanks while you hold down the main entrance with your Nanoswarms and ultimate. On defense, set up a crossfire with your Turrets and Nanoswarms, forcing enemies to push into your line of fire. On attack, use your Nanoswarms to clear corners and deny enemy access to key areas. Remember, Killjoy's strength lies in her ability to control space, so use her abilities to your advantage and dominate the battlefield.

Sage: The Healer and Controller

Sage is unique among Sentinels, offering both healing and area denial. Her Healing Orb can quickly restore teammates' health, while her Slow Orb can be used to slow down enemy pushes and create opportunities for your team. Her Resurrection ultimate can bring a fallen teammate back to life, turning the tide of a round. In the current meta, Sage can play a variety of roles, from supporting the team on entry to providing crucial heals to her allies. Because of the versatility of her kit, she synergizes very well with nearly any team composition, allowing her to fit a variety of roles. Whether you like to play aggressively or passively, Sage can be adapted to your personal playstyle with just a little practice.

In 2024, Sage players should focus on mastering the art of healing and slowing. Use your Healing Orb wisely, prioritizing teammates who are in immediate danger or are about to engage in a fight. Use your Slow Orb to disrupt enemy pushes, block off chokepoints, or create opportunities for your team to flank. When using your ultimate, communicate with your team and make sure to resurrect a teammate who can make a significant impact on the round. For example, on defense, use your Slow Orb to delay enemy pushes while you heal your teammates. On attack, use your Slow Orb to clear corners and create opportunities for your team to enter the site safely. Remember, Sage is a support agent, so focus on helping your team and keeping them alive. If you can master that, you’ll be well on your way to ranking up.

Chamber: The Elegant Marksman

Chamber is a Sentinel who blends defense with aggression. His Trademark traps provide early warning of enemy flanks, while his Headhunter pistol and Tour De Force sniper rifle allow him to pick off enemies with deadly accuracy. Chamber's playstyle is unique among Sentinels; while he is very effective at holding down sites, his abilities also allow him to take aggressive flanks and win duels that other sentinels simply couldn’t. For this reason, Chamber is an agent that requires extreme game sense and mechanical skill to be truly effective.

To be a successful Chamber player in 2024, you need to be confident in your aim and decision-making. Use your Trademark traps to cover your flanks and provide early warning of enemy pushes. Use your Headhunter pistol to win duels at close to medium range, and use your Tour De Force sniper rifle to pick off enemies at long range. When using your ultimate, make sure to position yourself strategically and take advantage of the sniper's one-shot kill potential. For example, on defense, use your Trademark traps to cover your flanks while you hold down the main entrance with your Headhunter pistol and Tour De Force sniper rifle. On attack, use your Trademark traps to watch for flanks while you push into the site with your team. Remember, Chamber is a hybrid agent, so be prepared to switch between defense and offense as needed. Because of his unique blend of defensive and offensive capabilities, he is best suited for players who are confident in their aim and game sense. If you can master Chamber, you'll be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Honorable Mentions

While the above agents are my top picks, there are a few other Sentinels who are worth considering:

• Deadlock: Although not as popular as other Sentinels, Deadlock's abilities can be effective in certain situations, particularly on maps with tight chokepoints.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best Sentinel agent in Valorant ultimately comes down to your playstyle and team composition. Experiment with different agents and find the one that clicks with you. With practice and dedication, you can become a valuable asset to your team and climb the ranks in 2024!