The microstructure and properties of CoCrFeNi2.1Nb0.2 high entropy alloy containing brittle Laves phase subjected to high pressure torsion (HPT) carried out to five rotations under 6 GPa pressure and subsequent annealing were studied. The results were further compared with conventional cold- and cryo-rolling. The FCC phase showed deformation-induced nanostructure formation, whereas the brittle Laves particles showed early fragmentation, a consistent decrease in particle size, and transformation to spherical morphology. The defect formation at the particle–matrix interfaces was hindered at high strains, although inhomogeneities in microstructure and hardness were observed. Annealing resulted in ultrafine microstructure, nanoscale ε-phase precipitation, improved hardness homogeneity, and high strength. Nevertheless, the strength-ductility synergy in the HPT processed and annealed material was significantly inferior to the material processed by cryo-rolling and annealing having a unique heterogeneous microstructure. The comparative insights elucidated that conventional cryo-rolling could override the benefits of severe deformation by HPT by achieving heterogeneous microstructure and improved-strength ductility balance. © 2023, ASM International.