VALORANT Agent Deadlock: abilities, nationality, and release date

VALORANT has undoubtedly made its mark in the esports scene, owing its success to the seamless integration of utility-based Agents into the traditional FPS game mode. The game offers an extensive roster of 22 Agents, intelligently divided into four distinct categories: Sentinels, Controllers, Duelists, and Initiators, catering to a wide range of playstyles and strategic approaches.

As the community eagerly anticipates the release of Episode 07 // Act I on June 27, Riot Games has once again decided to expand the Agent pool. This time, they introduce Deadlock, a formidable Sentinel agent, whose kit revolves around the ingenious use of nano-wire technology. Deadlock's abilities are specifically designed to outlast opponents while providing crucial support to her team. Let's take an exclusive first look at her unique skillset, where is Deadlock from in the VALORANT world, and when does Deadlock come out.

Deadlock nationality in VALORANT

VALORANT employs a wide range of nationalities in its roster of Agents. Apart from a couple of unknowns such as Omen, Deadlock does have a nationality. Deadlock is from Norway. She is the first VALORANT Agent to hail from that European country but is not the first to come from Scandinavia. Breach was the first Agent to be from Scandinavia, being currently the game's only Swedish character.

Deadlock abilities in VALORANT

GravNet (C):

EQUIP a GravNet grenade. FIRE to throw. ALT FIRE to lob the grenade underhand. The GravNet detonates upon landing, forcing any enemies caught within to crouch and move slowly. With this ability, the movement of the opposing player will be restricted and provide just enough time for Deadlock’s team to capitalize or run to a better vantage point.

Sonic Sensor (Q):

EQUIP a Sonic Sensor. FIRE to deploy. The sensor monitors an area for enemies making sound. It concusses that area if footsteps, weapons fire, or significant noise are detected. Although the concussion doesn’t last long, it can be heard further away so this ability can act like a deterrent if someone is trying to flank and teammates are unaware.

Barrier Mesh (E):

EQUIP a Barrier Mesh disc. FIRE to throw forward. Upon landing, the disc generates barriers from the origin point that block character movement. This 4-way barrier essentially restricts the route of opposing players and provides an impenetrable barrier that takes some damage to be shot down.

Annihilation (X):

EQUIP a Nanowire Accelerator. FIRE to unleash a pulse of nanowires that captures the first enemy contacted. The cocooned enemy is pulled along a nanowire path and will die if they reach the end unless they are freed. The nanowire cocoon is destructible.

Developers give their thoughts on Deadlock

To gain a better understanding behind the goals and ideas of Deadlock's design and integration into VALORANT, some Riot Games developers shared their thoughts on the new Agent.

"Our gameplay goal for Deadlock was to create an Agent for players who wanted to hold their ground actively with their utility, as opposed to needing to set up their utility in advance," explained Alexander Mistakidis, the Game Designer."Our hope is that this appeals to players who value the ability to audibly adapt their plays and strategies based on information about their opponents."

The Agent lead, John Goscicki added: "A lot of what Deadlock is doing is lying in wait for people to come to you and reacting to the situation at hand. There was an improvisational nature to it all, of someone that is honed in their craft, and knows what tool to use depending on what comes at them. This resonated with tropes of someone surviving against extreme/otherworldly odds, getting out alive with just what they were able to work with. Deadlock is bringing her skills, and tools to the game, it’s up to you to use them correctly to stall every enemy push :)"

When does Deadlock release?

Deadlock will be released with the start of VALORANT Episode 7, Act I, either on June 27 or June 28 depending on your region.

Mark your calendars for June 27 as the update is expected to introduce a lot of changes including a dedicated new Team Deathmatch mode.