Paper Rex Utilizes New Pearl Composition to Secure Spot in VALORANT Champions 2023 Grand Finals
Pacific powerhouse, Paper Rex, has unveiled a new Pearl composition that has struck fear into their opponents. Recently, they employed this strategy to defeat top-ranked Evil Geniuses and secure their place in the VALORANT Champions 2023 Grand Finals.
Since the beginning of 2023, Paper Rex has utilized their star duelist Jinggg on Phoenix, a duelist that is often overlooked alongside Yoru.
Both Jinggg and Phoenix were featured in their match against EG on Aug. 24. However, it was Phoenix who emerged victorious due to several factors that the Pacific team expertly utilized.
This intense series was filled with moments of brilliance and despair for both teams, resulting in a tied series after Paper Rex lost the first map on Ascent and EG lost the second map on Bind. The fate of the series ultimately rested on the Pearl map, where overtime determined the team that would advance to the finals.
Thanks to clutch performances from mindfreak and f0rsakeN, Paper Rex secured a 15-13 victory. However, their success can be attributed to their unique composition, particularly Jinggg’s performance on Phoenix.
Phoenix offers distinct advantages compared to other duelists. Firstly, his ultimate ability, Run It Back, charges faster than any other ultimate, only requiring six ult points. Additionally, Phoenix is the only duelist with a molly ability; his Hot Hands inflicts damage over time in a small area. In the context of the Pearl map, where both teams can compete for orbs, Phoenix becomes an optimal choice. He can use his ultimate to gather information and initiate free pushes, as well as utilize his molly for post-plants or to control choke points.
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Analyzing the VOD of the Paper Rex vs. EG matchup on Pearl, it becomes evident that Jinggg consistently secures an ult orb, usually from A main, at the beginning of each round. This is made possible through the use of abilities like Phoenix’s Blaze wall, Jett’s Cloudburst, or a flash. As a result, Jinggg can activate his ultimate two to four times per half, often yielding positive outcomes.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Phoenix’s molly has a set distance before it drops. While it lacks the long lineups of abilities like Killjoy’s Nanoswarm, it still has strategic applications. For instance, when pushing through B link, Jinggg throws a molly to hit the inside corner, thereby forcing an enemy player in that position to react. Although it may not always result in a kill, this is a clever use of Phoenix’s limited VALORANT molly for an advantageous lineup.
On the attacking side of either site, Phoenix’s Blaze wall and Hot Hands molly provide significant advantages. While agents like Viper and Harbor enable players to access and plant the spike while maintaining distance and preventing defuses, Phoenix can wall himself onto the site and even use his molly on the spike if needed. He can seamlessly transition from a duelist to a controller, utilizing his ultimate to gather information, all while possessing higher kill potential than Yoru. Pearl’s map design, featuring long sightlines and frequent corners, perfectly complements Phoenix’s abilities on both sites.
Contrary to other pocket picks such as Reyna or Yoru, who heavily rely on flashes and aim, Phoenix thrives on intelligent gameplay utilizing his utility. In addition to an almost unavoidable flash, Phoenix’s utility offers a consistent impact on Pearl, regardless of any potential adjustments Riot may make to other duelists.
Paper Rex will compete against the winner of the lower bracket finals between LOUD and EG on Aug. 26, as they vie for the title of VALORANT champion of 2023.
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