How to Play Killjoy Valorant: 4 Tips and Tricks

Looking to kill the joy of others in Valorant? Here's what you need to know to master Killjoy.

When is Killjoy released?

You're in luck! Killjoy is now in the game as of Episode 1, Act 2, which was released on August 4th, 2020.

Who is Killjoy?

Killjoy is a robot building, tech tinkering German genius. The newest addition to the Agent roster for Valorant has an ability lineup that at first glance can be extremely intimidating to wrap your head around.

Killjoy abilities

Let's take a look at what she can do and how she will be a major support Agent for Act II and the future of Valorant! After the overview, read on for deeper tips on the skills.

• Alarmbot
• Turret
• Nanoswarm
• Killjoy’s Ultimate: Lockdown

Alarmbot

Alarmbot is the first and major part of Killjoy's area of denial kit.

Alarmbot allows you to deploy a bot that will hide and seek enemy players who step into its field of view (similar to Raze and her Boombot). The Alarmbot will notify Killjoy of an enemy encounter and upon its detonation will leave the enemy player affected with a double damage vulnerability. Any and all damage dealt to that player will be a massive deterrent for rushes and can give your team an easy frag to secure.

Alarmbot can be recalled and redeployed, so remember your economy and scoop up your unused Alarmbots before the end of the round.

Turret

Next on Killjoy's area-of-denial kit is her Turret. This little guy can scan for 180 degrees (half circle) and will shoot any detected players in a 3 round burst (for 6-8 damage per bullet).

Combined with Alarmbot, her Turret can do a great job of holding an area or thrashing enemy players coming into a key area or choke point. Tricky Turret placements and support for Killjoy players will make some sites easy to hold and lockdown for defense.

Cypher traps and Killjoy Turrets will be obvious combinations that will have a high success rate for securing rounds.

Nanoswarm

Killjoy's Nanoswarm is an invisible and lethal grenade that upon explosion will lock down an area for 5 seconds of continuous AOE damage. Any enemy players caught in the Nanoswarm will drain health until they are dead, unlike Vipers gas which will only take health to 1 HP.

This lethal swarm makes Nanoswarm an excellent anti-defuse or anti-rush grenade that can tick multiple players' health quickly.

Nanoswarm combined with Sages slow orb can be an extremely lethal combination, and a very easy ability stack to create since Sage is a mandatory pick for most team compositions.

Killjoy's Ultimate: Lockdown

Killjoys ultimate ability, Lockdown, gives a movement debuff on all enemy players trapped inside of it for 8 seconds. It gives off a pulsating energy wave that will count down its detonation. Any enemies caught in the blast wave will have their weapon unequipped and will be slowed (similar to a Sage slow orb) for 8 seconds.

This allows teammates to sweep up frags and wipe out enemies who played terrible positioning choices.

With Lockdown, the wind up and detonation time is so long you’ll need to think about where it's going to go way in advance to have the maximum effect.

Placing it on top of boxes that require aggressive angles or movement abilities/boosts is great only if you have that kind of time to do so. Coordination of teammates' placement and abilities is key to having a Lockdown that has a positive impact for your team.

How do you use Killjoy's abilities?

Here's how you can optimize the use of each of her abilities:

Alarmbot

• Cost: 200 credits (1 charge)
• Button: Q
• Description: Equip a covert Alarmbot and deploy it by firing. The bot hunts down enemies in range, explodes upon reaching its target, and applies Vulnerable. Hold the equip button to recall the deployed bot.
• Usage: The Alarmbot is a great tool for deterring enemy rushes and forcing opponents to slow down. Deploy it in chokepoints, doorways, or common paths to slow enemies and disrupt their advance. When it reaches an enemy, it explodes and applies Vulnerable, making the enemy take amplified damage. Use it to soften up enemies before engaging them and gain an advantage in gunfights.

Turret

• Cost: Free (20-second retract cooldown)
• Button: E
• Description: Equip a Turret and fire to deploy it. The turret fires at enemies in a 180-degree cone. Hold the equip button to recall the turret.
• Usage: The turret is a versatile tool that can be used for both information gathering and area control. Place it in strategic positions to cover entrances, bomb sites, or common enemy paths. Its 125 HP makes it resilient, allowing it to withstand a couple of bullets before being destroyed. It fires automatically at enemies within its cone of vision, catching them off guard and providing valuable information about enemy movements.

Nanoswarm

• Cost: 200 credits (2 charges)
• Button: C
• Description: Equip a Nanoswarm grenade, throw it to deploy covertly, and activate it to unleash a damaging swarm of nanobots.
• Usage: The Nanoswarm is a powerful area denial tool that can be used to control specific zones. Throw it onto bomb sites, chokepoints, or hiding spots to deter enemies from entering. Activate the Nanoswarm when enemies are within its range to deal substantial damage over time, forcing them to either retreat or risk taking heavy damage. This ability is particularly effective in post-plant situations, where you can deny enemy defusal attempts.

Lockdown

• Ultimate Points: 7
• Button: X
• Description: Equip the Lockdown device and deploy it. After a windup time, the device Detains all enemies in its radius. Enemies can destroy the device.
• Usage: The Lockdown ultimate ability is a game-changing tool that can single-handedly win rounds. Use it to control bomb sites, especially in crucial rounds where it is essential to stop the enemy from defusing the spike. Deploy it in a hidden or strategic location where enemies are unlikely to spot and destroy it quickly. Coordinate with your team to protect the device during its windup time. The Detain effect incapacitates enemies briefly, allowing your team to capitalize on their vulnerability.

By mastering Killjoy's abilities, you can effectively control areas, slow down enemy pushes, and create defensive setups that give your team a strategic advantage. Use her deployable gadgets to gather information, disrupt enemy movements, and control bomb sites, ultimately leading your team to victory. Remember to adapt your tactics based on the flow of the match and the actions of the enemy team for the best results.

How do you play Killjoy effectively? Advanced tips and tricks

• Use Alarmbot on shallow corners for rushes, flanks or counter rotations.
• Use Alarmbot under the spike post plant so you can jiggle peek defusing players for an easy kill.
• Use Nanoswarm on areas of map that are clear chokepoints during enemy rush attempts. Think about Lower A/Sewer for Haven or A Main for Split.
• Use Turret with a Sage Icewall to hold B site in Split. You can put the Turret on the boxes for B main, or boost with it behind the wood wall in B site or with the Sage player to hold a high-angle crossfire.

I hope this helps you get started in your mastery of Agent Killjoy. Have fun!

FAQ

Is Killjoy good for beginners?

Yes, Killjoy is an ideal choice for beginners due to her defensive playstyle. Her signature ability, the turret, provides info and deters enemies with minimal effort. Strategic placements of her utility abilities, including the turret and alarmbot, counter enemy strategies effectively. The nanoswarm inflicts massive damage, deterring enemy attacks and enhancing basic utility. Her straightforward yet impactful utility makes learning agent mechanics easier, aiding newcomers in understanding defensive tactics and enhancing team play.

How do you play Killjoy for beginners?

For beginners, playing Killjoy involves mastering her role as a defensive agent. Utilize her turret and alarm bot to damage enemies and catch them off guard. Find key battlefield positions to set up these utilities, exploiting their wide range while keeping the range limit in mind. Prioritize a slow pace, allowing her utility to hinder the enemy team's advances effectively. Her nanoswarm offers a burst of damage and forces enemies to second-guess their approach. Opt for safe positions and hiding spots where enemies won't expect her gadgets, enhancing their impact. As a Sentinel agent, Killjoy contributes to the team's defense by controlling the battlefield with ease using her well-placed gadgets.

Are Killjoy and Raze dating?

Yes, Raze and Killjoy are in a confirmed canon relationship in the Valorant universe. They represent the game's first queer couple, adding to the diversity of character relationships.

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