Valorant: What Is Deadlock In The Game? Coaches Debate Over Her Use

Valorant, the tactical first-person shooter developed by Riot Games, continues to evolve with new agent releases, each bringing unique abilities and gameplay dynamics. One such agent is Deadlock, the 23rd addition to Valorant’s growing roster. 

As with any new agent, Deadlock has sparked debates among coaches in the competitive scene regarding her potential impact on professional play. In this article, we will delve into the role of Deadlock in the game, explore her abilities, and analyze the arguments put forth by coaches regarding her use in the competitive landscape.

Deadlock’s Role in Valorant:

Deadlock is classified as a Sentinel agent in Valorant, which means she excels at holding down sites and providing utility to protect her team’s objectives. Her kit is designed to disrupt enemy movement, impair their vision, and immobilize foes to give her team a strategic advantage. As a Sentinel, Deadlock is a crucial element in defensive setups, bolstering the team’s ability to thwart enemy advances and maintain control over key areas.

Understanding Deadlock’s Abilities:

GravNet: Deadlock’s signature ability is the GravNet, a throwable grenade that creates a gravitational field upon impact. Enemies caught within its radius experience a significant slowdown and are immobilized, making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks from her teammates. The GravNet is a powerful tool for isolating opponents and gaining the upper hand in defensive scenarios.

Sonic Sensor: Deadlock’s Sonic Sensor is a deployable device that monitors an area for enemy footsteps and other audible sounds. Upon detecting enemy presence, the Sonic Sensor concusses the enemies, disorienting and revealing their positions briefly. This ability aids her team in gathering valuable information about enemy rotations and positioning during defensive setups.

Barrier Mesh: The Barrier Mesh is a disc-shaped object that creates a physical barrier upon activation, obstructing enemy movement and vision. Deadlock can use this ability to block key choke points, denying enemies access and forcing them to take alternate routes. The Barrier Mesh is an essential tool for controlling the flow of engagements and fortifying defensive positions.

Annihilation: Deadlock’s ultimate ability, Annihilation, equips her with a grappling hook. When activated, she can use the grappling hook to pull herself towards the first enemy hit, disrupting their positioning and potentially creating opportunities for her team to capitalize on the chaos. Annihilation grants Deadlock a degree of mobility and the capacity to initiate or counteract aggressive pushes.

Coaches Debate Over Deadlock’s Viability:

As with any new agent, Deadlock has invited differing opinions from coaches in the Valorant competitive scene. During the pre-Champions 2023 press conference, NRG Esports’ coach, Chet “Chet” Singh, Team Liquid’s coach, Emil “eMIL” Sandgren, and NAVI’s coach, Erik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren, voiced their concerns about Deadlock’s potential impact.

Chet expressed skepticism about seeing Deadlock frequently in the upcoming Valorant Champions 2023 tournament, considering her to be a niche character with limited utility compared to other agents currently dominant in the meta.

eMIL concurred with Chet, highlighting that Deadlock’s Sonic Sensors may not be as effective during attacking rounds, as defenders often move silently while pushing. He also pointed out the short-lived effect of her GravNet, allowing enemies to escape its area of effect quickly.

Moreover, eMIL and d00mbr0s raised concerns about Deadlock’s limitations on offense, which could hinder a team’s information-gathering capabilities.

Deadlock’s entry into Valorant has sparked intriguing discussions among coaches in the competitive scene. As a Sentinel agent, her kit is geared towards defensive playstyles, with abilities designed to stall enemy advances and gather vital information. 

While some coaches raise concerns about her effectiveness compared to other agents in the meta, others see potential for her to shine under the right circumstances.

As the Valorant Champions 2023 tournament unfolds, players and fans alike will keenly observe how professional teams utilize Deadlock in high-stakes matches. 

The dynamic nature of Valorant’s meta and constant updates from Riot Games ensure that agents like Deadlock will continue to be subject to analysis, debate, and potential adjustments to maintain the game’s balance and competitive integrity.

Also Read: Valorant: All Deadlock Voices Lines & Agent Interactions In The Game