Key Highlights:
- Harbor is the newest hero in Valorant to get a rework.
- The rework might place him as one of the best Controllers in the game.
- However, not everything is perfect here, and Harbor still has a few glaring issues.
Harbor is the newest hero to receive a rework in Valorant, and this move is (mostly) greatly appreciated. This a complete rework, enhancing and altering his roles and abilities, all for making him more ‘viable’ in the current meta of Valorant.
That being said, the rework appears to be a rather mixed bag at first glance. There’s a lot to unpack here (especially when taking into consideration that his rework essentially transforms Harbor into a very, very different character), so we’ll be breaking down 3 of his best use cases, as well as situations in which you might not want to use him.
How Harbor Redefines the Meta in Valorant With His New Rework
Harbor Gameplay Rework // #VALORANT
— VALORANT Leaks & News (@VALORANTLeaksEN) November 9, 2025
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Harbor has always been somewhat of a mediocre performer in Valorant, with many drawing rightful criticism to his slow gameplay and unreliable nature. This rework aims to fix all that, and he might just be the best Controller in the game at present.
Storm Surge and High Tide Are Useful for Area Control
Both abilities let Harbor level the playing field and control the flow of enemy units nearby. Storm Surge and High Tide both blind enemies and inflict Slow on them, which does not discriminate between enemies and friendly units.
Cove Can Be Used to Provide Cover
One of the more unique abilities locked to Harbor is Cove, which lets players drop in Smoke at a specified location. You’ll be able to manually aim and release the Smoke which can be reactivated to shield it from bullets.
Also Read: Valorant Game Changers Championship 2025: Dates, Where to Watch and More
Smoke obstructs player vision, and can be useful in a pinch should you need to drop in unaware on an enemy at the corner.
Miscellaneous Other Improvements
That’s not all though. Harbor can equip Reckoning to release the full power of his Artifact, releasing a tide of water that applies Slow and Nearsight to all enemies it hits. This is a massively powerful crowd control ability that can quite literally change the game, on account of its debuff.
Here’s Why Harbor Might Not Be All That Special in Valorant
Slow Affects Both Allies and Enemies
Perhaps the biggest misstep (even if intentional) toward Harbor’s rework in Valorant is the inclusion of a Slow ability that does not discriminate between friend or foe. This is its biggest weakness, as the Slow can be applied toward friendly units in your team, making micromanaging the team a hassle.
A Very Situational Unit
Harbor’s rework essentially remade the character, transforming his playstyle entirely. Harbor has always had a rather specific niche, and this update completely destroys that. For starters, his ultimate no longer provides a treasure trove of information.
There Might Be Better Options Elsewhere
While Harbor may not end up being a total failure after his rework, there are some concerns. Given his completely reworked gameplay, managing him might be a hassle. Most importantly though, it’s too early to come to a conclusion just yet, and it really remains to be seen whether Harbor might end up reshaping the meta in Valorant or not.
