“TenZ Roasts VALORANT’s Meta: ‘It’s Power Rangers, Not a Shooter!’”
VALORANT was introduced as a tactical shooter where precise gunplay met strategic use of agent abilities. But according to pro player Tyson ‘TenZ’ Ngo, the game has shifted away from its roots, turning into what he sarcastically calls “Power Rangers” due to its overwhelming utility spam.
A Meta Dominated by Abilities, Not Aim
Over the years, Riot Games has added new agents with increasingly powerful utilities, creating a meta where abilities often overshadow gun skill. This shift has led to frustration among both casual and professional players, with many feeling that precise aiming is no longer as valuable as it once was.
During a recent stream, TenZ reacted to a clip showcasing an excessive chain of flashes, recon tools, ultimates, and crowd control abilities bombarding a single player. His response?
“Look at this f—ing shit, what’s going on? Red, green, blue, dead, dead.”
He then compared the gameplay to the Power Rangers, joking that enemy teams were simply unloading their “special moves” on a single target with no real counterplay.
No Room for Counterplay
When asked how to counter utility-heavy rushes, TenZ gave a grim reality check:
“If they want the site, they’re gonna take the site. There’s nothing you can do to stop them. So, you might as well fall back, play retake, and rely on numbers. That’s the only way to counter it.”
This sentiment echoes what many players have been experiencing. Defenders often find themselves helpless as attackers flood a site with flashes, mollies, and recon abilities before they even have a chance to take a shot.
The introduction of agents like Tejo and Waylay has further amplified this “retake meta,” where defenders are forced to give up control and play purely for the post-plant situation.
“VALORANT Wasn’t Like This Before”
TenZ also took to X (formerly Twitter) to mock the current state of the game, joking that his color blindness was momentarily cured due to the sheer number of flashing colors on his screen.
“VALORANT wasn’t like this before. Obviously, moving shots, jump kills, and spam kills happen. But my issue is the sheer dominance of utilities. I feel like utilities should complement precise gunplay, rather than just giving you trauma.”
This complaint isn’t new—many players have voiced frustration that mechanical skill and aiming precision no longer carry the same weight they once did. Instead, games are often decided by who can deploy their utility better and faster.
Riot Games Responds… Kind Of
In response to TenZ’s complaints, Riot Games’ Principal UX Designer, Alex Wheeler, stated that the team is “actively monitoring the situation and working on improvements.” However, he did not provide any specifics or a timeline for potential changes.
For now, VALORANT continues to walk a fine line between tactical shooter and ability-based chaos. Whether Riot decides to rebalance utility in favor of gunplay remains to be seen—but if TenZ and other pros have their way, we may see significant changes coming soon.
What’s Your Take?
Do you agree with TenZ? Should VALORANT prioritize gunplay over abilities, or is the current meta just an evolution of the game? Let us know what you think!
