Best VALORANT Players of 2023

As you dive into the competitive world of VALORANT esports, familiarizing yourself with the top players is essential. These masters of the tactical shooter are at the forefront of the game, pioneering strategies and displaying skills that shape the meta for all players. To climb the ranks, you’ll need to learn from the best – and take down the best, so it pays off to study the best VALORANT players in the world if you’re serious about competing.

So, what exactly makes someone the best in the business? Well, it’s not just about flashy plays and insane flick shots (although those do make for some epic highlight reels). Being the best VALORANT player means excelling in every aspect of the game – from strategy and game sense to aiming prowess and teamwork. But let’s get a bit more specific, shall we?

5. Jake “Boaster” Howlett

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Jake Howlett, one of the oldest players in Fnatic, is one of the most famous personalities to have ever set foot on the stage. His charm, humor, big-brain leadership, and positive personality make it very hard to not like him.

Whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t hate Boaster. His exceptional IGLing skills have made Fnatic one of the most feared teams in VALORANT. He is what you call, brain over brawn type of guy. He has been in Fnatic for a long time now (at least in esports terms) and has consistently lead his teams to great placements and has achieved many very impressive tournament results, making him one of the most respected in-game leaders in the VALORANT scene. He has earned $214,422, joining the ranks of highest earning VALORANT professionals.

4. Nikita “Derke” Simitev

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At only 18 years old, Derke has already made a name for himself in the VALORANT eSports scene through his performances with team Fnatic.

Known for his exceptional aim and flick shots with the Operator, Derke is a formidable Duelist player. His ability to get quick kills and open up sites for his team has been instrumental to Fnatic’s success. During Champions 2021, Derke had the highest ACS per round of all players at the event, demonstrating his skill and impact on matches.

As he continues to gain more experience competing at the highest levels of VALORANT, his performance and skills will likely only improve. With the tutelage of experienced teammates like Boaster guiding him, Derke has the potential to become one of the best players in EMEA, if not the world.

For aspiring VALORANT pros, Derke is a role model. His rapid rise from the open qualifiers of First Strike Europe to competing with the best teams in the world at Champions shows what is possible with enough dedication and hard work. Derke’s flexibility in being able to play both Duelists and Controllers at a high level is also an example of the kind of versatility that’s required to thrive in VALORANT esports.

If you’re an entry fragger, you’ve got to watch some of Derke’s games.

3. Max “Demon1” Mazanov

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Max ‘Demon1’ Mazanov has cemented himself as one of the top VALORANT players of 2023. His skill and game sense is unmatched, allowing his team, Evil Geniuses, to dominate the North American scene.

Mazanov began his eSports career in 2020, which makes his rise to fame even more impressive, as he seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the very best players in the entire game.

Since joining Evil Geniuses at the start of 2023, Mazanov has proven instrumental to their success. His ability to flex between agents and adapt to new metas allows Evil Geniuses eSports to implement innovative strategies.

Mazanov particularly excels on duelists like Jett and Raze, using their mobility to aggressively take map control and create space for his team. His aim and reflexes are also world-class, regularly achieving over 20 kills per map. Demon1’s skills and gameplay were instrumental for Evil Genuises’ successes on the international stage, and he is without a doubt one of the best VALORANT players in 2023. If he can continue playing at this level, we can easily see him become a legend of the game.

2. Erick “aspas” Santos

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Erick ‘aspas’ Santos is considered by many to be the best VALORANT player in the world. His skills and performances over the past year have earned him a spot at the top.

Santos started playing VALORANT during the closed beta in April 2020. He quickly rose to the top of the leaderboards and has maintained his position ever since. In 2022, Santos had the highest headshot percentage, most first bloods, and highest kill/death ratio of any player. His ability to get picks and open up sites for his team is unmatched.

Santos mains duelists like Jett and Raze, using their mobility to create space and outplay his opponents. His aim and reflexes are lightning-fast, allowing him to win aim duels against even the best players. Santos is also known for his intelligent positioning and game sense. He always seems to know where the enemy is and how to gain an advantage.

Santos helped LOUD win VCT 2022 and placed 2nd in LOCK//IN Sao Paulo. Even though LOUD did not win VCT 2023, they still placed 3rd. Impressive consistency in an esports scene that’s as fresh and varied as VALORANT’s.

1. Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto

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f0rsakeN is considered by many to be one of the most mechanically gifted VALORANT pros. His aim and reaction times are unmatched, allowing him to win duels that seem unwinnable. He makes high-level plays and clutches round after round due to his superior gunplay.

Not only is f0rsakeN deadly with every weapon, but he has also mastered a variety of Agents. He is known for his Reyna and Jett, using their abilities to outplay his opponents. However, he can also lock down sites with Killjoy, facilitate pushes with Breach, and anchor his team with Omen. His flexibility and in-depth knowledge of each Agent is a key reason why he has found so much success, and due to his deep agent pool he is an incredible resource for any team.

On top of being an incredible individual player, f0rsakeN is also a natural leader. He is often seen directing his teammates and leading the strategies for his squad. His leadership and communication are instrumental to his team’s victories. He knows how to enable his teammates through planning, coordination, and mid-round calls.

If you want to be the best VALORANT player, keep your crosshair on f0rsakeN. His unparalleled skills, agent mastery, and leadership have cemented him as an exceptional player.

Conclusion – Best VALORANT Players of 2023

While there are many talented players, these individuals have shown they have what it takes to compete at the highest levels. Their performances this year serve as an inspiration and reminder of the dedication and mastery required to become the best.

Though new stars will undoubtedly emerge over the next year(s), these players have secured their place in VALORANT history through their accomplishments and domination of the esports scene.

The future of VALORANT esports is bright and for now, these are the players that are shining the brightest.

If you’re interested in how the pros play, feel free to check out our best crosshair codes for VALORANT article.