“New Harbor is the best”: VALORANT pros react to Harbor buffs at Masters Santiago

VALORANT Masters Santiago would be the first VCT event that may characteristic the current Harbor buffs launched in patch 12.02.

Forward of the occasion’s kick-off tomorrow on February twenty eighth, Esports Insider requested attending in-game leaders (IGLs) Ayaz ‘nAts’ Akhmetshin, Jacob ‘valyn’ Batio and Ethan ‘Ethan’ Arnold how they view the agent’s power within the meta.

“I’ve excessive expectations on groups attempting the brand new Harbor on this event,” shared Group Liquid’s nAts throughout the pre-event press convention.

“I imply, we’ll see how it will likely be. Not many groups love to do the modifications, however I feel the brand new Harbor is one of the best from what it was earlier than, and the skills are very fascinating to work round. I feel some groups will certainly pull it out as a result of I feel it’s good.”

Since its launch in October 2022, Harbor has suffered on account of its area of interest controller skills, typically outclassed by principal people who smoke equivalent to Omen and the most well-liked secondary controller, Viper.

Though Riot Video games launched a serious Harbor rework in November final yr, the agent’s decide price throughout the VCT modified little. Nevertheless, the current patch 12.02 launched vital enhancements to Harbor’s utility, together with an extended period for his Cove, together with growing the scale of his Excessive Tide.

Like nAts, G2 Esports’ IGL valyn appeared assured that Harbor can be picked by some groups throughout the upcoming Masters occasion. 

“I really feel like a Habor is fairly good proper now. I feel folks don’t realise the potential he has. There’s plenty of hidden, area of interest stuff about him that makes him a bit OP for my part,” commented the triple VCT Americas 2025 champion. 

“So, I received’t be shocked if lots of people pull him out, together with these guys on my proper [points towards PRX players and chuckles]. We’re simply making ready for anybody to drag out Harbor. He appears fairly good.”

Each G2 and Paper Rex have proven flexibility of their workforce compositions at VCT Kickoff, which means a possible Harbor decide wouldn’t be uncanny for these modern groups.

Regardless of Harbor receiving reward from nAts and valyn, not all gamers at Masters Santiago imagine the agent is viable in professional play.

“We haven’t performed towards a Harbor in any practices, so I feel folks have collectively most likely determined he’s worse now than he was earlier than,” argued NRG’s Ethan. “However I’m unsure. I feel he’s in a bizarre spot proper now.” 

Apparently, Ethan and his workforce had been recognized to be Harbor believers previous to the agent’s rework. The reigning VALORANT Champions used to weave the agent into its double-controller workforce composition on Abyss, even selecting the area of interest decide throughout the Champions 2025 Grand Closing versus Fnatic.

Whether or not Ethan or his fellow IGLs have the right learn on the most recent Harbor buffs, will quickly be revealed on the VCT stage in Chile. Masters Santiago will run from February twenty eighth till March third, that includes twelve groups from throughout the globe and a $1m (~£741,674) prize pool.

Followers can tune into the opening matches tomorrow at 5 PM BST by way of the official Twitch and YouTube broadcasts.