For a long time, playing as a controller main in VALORANT required a blend of skillful tactics, including well-placed smokes, precise timing, and a focus on team support. The introduction of Clove, with their flashy abilities and duelist-style kit, diminished the complexity associated with being a true team-oriented controller. However, with Patch 11.10, Riot Games appears to be taking steps to restore the importance of this role to its original form.
The most recent update to VALORANT has reduced the potency of some of Clove’s more aggressive skills, aiming to limit their «snowballing power» that allows them to outshine other controllers in advantageous scenarios. Among the adjustments, Clove is now restricted to deploying only one Ruse (Smoke) at a time post-mortem and can only «overheal» teammates up to 50 HP with their Pick-Me-Up ability. While I don’t fully support the nerf on Ruse, the reduction in overhealing should give pause to duelist players who often select Clove when they cannot play their preferred agent.
As a controller main since 2021, I’ve occasionally indulged in playing Clove. However, my experience with them felt more like a fleeting encounter. Their abilities somewhat alleviate the significant responsibilities that true controllers like Omen, Astra, or Brimstone must handle. I appreciated Clove’s lighthearted kit for a brief period but eventually found their utility to be rather uninspired. With the exception of Meddle, their skills mainly focus on personal survival, making gameplay feel too simplistic and stripping away the artistry that comes with being a controller dedicated to team success.
It’s frankly disheartening that a self-serving agent like Clove has overshadowed committed, hardworking controllers in ranked play. Nowadays, it’s challenging to select my main, Omen, due to the prevalence of players who instantly lock Clove and play as if it’s a Deathmatch, disregarding essential team strategies like smokes.
The current competitive landscape in VALORANT is further diminished by the dominance of an agent as shallow as Clove, who has consistently led in both pick and win rates across all agents for months. At least the professional scene recognizes this issue: aside from a few unique double-controller strategies seen in specific regions, Clove has garnered little attention throughout VCT 2025.
Fortunately, Patch 11.10 addresses many of these concerns with significant nerfs, signifying a move towards reestablishing the true essence of the controller role. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain if this will effectively curb the chaos. Clove’s entire design continues to be contentious–nerfs could simply make them weaker or unplayable rather than achieving a sense of balance. There will still be room for less experienced duelists seeking to lock in Clove because they can still benefit from minor healing and self-resurrection mechanics.
In conclusion, it’s evident that VALORANT’s most strategic role never truly required the inclusion of Clove.
