In VALORANT, agent Omen is a controller and the first Radiant to join the Protocol, but his past is full of mysteries and darkness. Although some details are known, many critical elements are missing or remain unclear.
Central to Omen’s character is his desperate quest to regain his lost memories and uncover the truth about his former self. This pursuit drives him, reflecting his eagerness to fight with a sense of rediscovering himself through combat.
Background
Before joining the VALORANT Protocol, Omen was a ruthless assassin for the organization Scions of Hourglass. His life changed dramatically during a mission to assassinate Dr. Sabine Callas (Viper), a leading scientist researching the powerful substance radianite. The encounter resulted in Omen being severely burned by a corrosive substance and subjected to a radianite-infused test chamber, where he was torn apart across space-time, obliterating most of his memories.
After joining the VALORANT Protocol, Omen’s journey took another significant turn when they encountered the assassin Li Zhao Yu (Iso). Iso’s connection to the Scions of Hourglass and his mission to target Omen unveiled more of Omen’s past. A mission to an Hourglass skyscraper in Jakarta brought Omen face-to-face with his former boss, “Ghost.” The confrontation triggered a flood of memories, exposing the truth behind his transformation and his failed mission to kill Dr. Callas.
Despite uncovering the truth about his past, Omen finds himself more frustrated as the answers he sought lead to more questions. He temporarily stepped away from the VALORANT Protocol to process this new information and recover from the emotional turmoil. However, Omen remains loyal to the VALORANT Protocol and is determined to return after finding clarity.
Abilities
Omen’s abilities are as dark and mysterious as his past. He manipulates shadows and induces paranoia, using his spectral form to terrify and eliminate his enemies.
Paranoia
Paranoia allows Omen to instantly fire a shadowy projectile in a straight line, passing through walls and other surfaces. It briefly reduces the vision range of all players it touches, which is excellent for disrupting enemy movements and plans.
When attacking, players can use Paranoia to disorient enemies hiding behind cover or walls, making pushing onto sites with minimal casualties easier. By aiming at a wall, Omen can flash enemies on the other side, forcing them to retreat and allowing his team to capitalize on the momentary chaos. On defense, a well-timed Paranoia can blind an enemy team so defenders can reposition or coordinate a counter-strike. Additionally, defenders can use Paranoia to peek at blinded enemies to get easy kills.
Shrouded Step
This ability lets Omen travel using short-range teleportation. Equipping this shadow walk ability lets players see its range indicator and, upon firing, begin a brief channel before teleporting to the marked location.
Shrouded Step can only be used twice per round, but it can turn the tide of a confrontation when used correctly. Omen can teleport behind close corners, peeking out from unexpected angles to surprise and eliminate enemies. It’s particularly effective for evading snipers or traversing dangerous areas without being exposed to enemy fire. It can also be used to reach higher vantage points for unexpected attacks.
With Shrouded Step, executing the teleport requires a brief channeling time, which leaves Omen vulnerable to attacks. Deploying Paranoia or Dark Cover to obscure enemy vision provides safe teleportation while Omen is channeling.
Dark Cover
Dark Cover is Omen’s signature ability, making it harder for enemies to predict and counter Omen’s plays. He wields a shadow orb, entering a phased world to place and target the orb’s location accurately. Upon activation, the orb is thrown to the marked spot, creating a long-lasting shadow sphere obstructing vision. Omen starts each round with two charges of Dark Cover that recharge after a 30-second cooldown.
This ability’s unique mechanics distinguish it from other smoke abilities in VALORANT. Holding the fire key while targeting lets players extend the marker’s range, and holding the alt-fire key brings it closer. This precise control allows Omen to deploy his smokes in difficult-to-reach areas, including through walls and other obstacles.
Dark Cover excels at misdirection, enabling Omen to block enemy sightlines and manipulate their perceptions. A well-placed smoke can deceive opponents into thinking a rush is coming from one direction while Omen and his team flank from another. Dark Cover can also be adjusted on the fly without a visual line of sight, so players can stay safely behind the cover and use the minimap to avoid exposure.
As an attacker, Omen can smoke off key choke points, allowing his team to advance with reduced risk. As a defender, the smokes can delay enemy pushes, obstruct sightlines, and provide safe repositioning.
From the Shadows
Omen’s ultimate ability is from the Shadows, where he can teleport to any map location. When activated, Omen equips a tactical map, selects his destination, and begins teleportation. He appears as a Shade, and enemies can destroy him to cancel the teleport. Although Omen’s Shade can be destroyed, he stays safe and reappears at his original location.
One of its most effective uses is creating confusion and panic within the enemy team. Omen’s From the Shadows is particularly effective in flanking maneuvers, so he can attack from unexpected angles and catch enemies off guard.
However, using “From the Shadows” requires careful consideration and timing, as the process has a short channeling time, during which Omen is vulnerable. The enemy team is also alerted to the teleport, so choosing a safe destination is crucial. It can be tempting to use the ultimate immediately, but teleporting too early or to a predictable location can leave Omen isolated and outgunned. Combine From the Shadows with Dark Cover, Paranoia, or other team actions to maximize its effectiveness.
Best VALORANT Maps to Play Omen
Controllers are essential for VALORANT map strategy. If you’re playing any of the following VALORANT maps, Omen is the best choice for your team:
- Sunset
- Bind
- Haven
- Split
Best VALORANT Team Comps for Omen
On different VALORANT maps, Omen’s abilities complement different team compositions. Based on Omen’s best maps, here are his best team compositions:
- Sunset: Omen’s ideal team includes Raze, Fade, Skye, and Killjoy. Raze and Omen create space and control critical areas with Raze’s Paint Shells and Boom Bot, while Fade and Skye provide intel and support. Killjoy’s traps and turrets can lock down sites and monitor flanks for protection.
- Bind: Omen’s best team is Jett, Killjoy, Sage, and Viper. Jett and Sage can clear and take space quickly, with Jett creating openings as Sage provides support and healing. Killjoy keeps the team’s flanks secure while monitoring key areas as Viper and Omen dominate the small sites and corridors.
- Haven: Omen, Cypher, Sova, Jett, and Killjoy are a great team. Omen and Jett can deny vision and create aggressive plays, while Sova provides crucial intel. Cypher and Killjoy ensure flanks are covered, and sites are secure so the team can focus on its primary objectives. This team’s balanced mix of control, intel, and aggression makes it highly effective for Haven.
- Split: A good team for Omen includes Raze, Cypher, Sage, and Gekko. Omen and Raze provide control and aggressive space-taking, while Cypher and Sage secure sites and critical lanes. Gekko’s utility lets the team safely clear corners and maintain pressure.
Immerse Yourself While Playing as VALORANT Agent Omen
Whether you’re playing as Omen or another VALORANT agent, iBUYPOWER’s gaming PCs are the perfect setup for the best gaming experience. There are plenty of prebuilt PC options to choose from.
As the official partner for VCT America, iBUYPOWER has high-quality PCs for your VALORANT gaming sessions. Check out iBUYPOWER’s Official VALORANT gaming PCs from Intel and AMD.
