Killjoy, the fourth agent to join the VALORANT PROTOCOL, is the third Sentinel in the game. She uses her self-made inventions to lock down areas, control enemy movements, and deal critical damage.
Whether it’s through her damaging abilities or disruptive technology, Killjoy secures victory with precision and intellect, making her a cornerstone of any defensive strategy.
Background
Killjoy, whose real name is Klara Böhringer, is a German prodigy and one of the brightest minds in the VALORANT PROTOCOL. She joined Kingdom Corporation’s R&D department and became a highly successful inventor. Her genius led to her recruitment into the VALORANT PROTOCOL, where she adopted the call sign “Killjoy.”
As Brimstone’s protégé, Killjoy continues creating cutting-edge devices for PROTOCOL, although her inventions have had unintended consequences. Even with her occasional recklessness, Killjoy cares deeply for her teammates and mourns the loss of innocent lives. Balancing her genius with empathy, Killjoy uses her technological prowess to outsmart and outmaneuver her enemies.
Abilities
Nanoswarm
Killjoy’s Nanoswarm is one of her basic VALORANT abilities. Once deployed, this small grenade stays hidden until Killjoy activates it, releasing a swarm of nanobots damaging any enemies within its radius. While it won’t always secure a kill, the sustained damage can disrupt enemy advances, making it most effective for delaying pushes and controlling space.
The Nanoswarm can deny bomb plants or stall defuses, and well-timed activation while enemies are planting or defusing can have devastating consequences. With the element of surprise, it excels at disrupting soft pushes.
However, it requires clever placement, as enemies can spot and destroy the Nanoswarm before it’s triggered. Like Cypher’s Trapwire, changing the placement to unexpected locations keeps your enemies guessing and maximizes impact.
Alarmbot
Killjoy’s Alarmbot is the second of her basic VALORANT abilities. The Alarmbot is a small, covert robot that seeks out enemies within range and chases enemies after detecting them. It explodes, applying the “Vulnerable” debuff, which doubles the damage taken from any source for a short period.
To use the Alarmbot, equip it and deploy it to remain hidden until an enemy comes within range. Upon triggering, the bot alerts Killjoy before hunting down the enemy and detonating. This ability can be devastating when paired with Nanoswarm or Turret, amplifying the damage.
Killjoy can also recall the Alarmbot if her plans change, but once recalled, she must wait 20 seconds before redeployment. The Alarmbot is excellent for controlling choke points, locking down unwatched areas, and protecting against flanks.
Turret
Killjoy’s Turret is her signature ability that automatically fires at enemies within a 180-degree cone, dealing damage in three-round bursts. While the total damage isn’t overwhelming, the Turret’s real value is its ability to reveal and slow enemy positions.
The Turret can withstand a few hits before being destroyed, and its primary role is to provide valuable information by detecting enemies and applying pressure through gunfire. Defensively, the Turret can hold down choke points or cover flanks, alerting Killjoy and her team to enemy advances. On offense, though it won’t deal significant damage, the Turret can still be a safeguard, protecting against flanks or revealing enemies lurking in smokes.
Like Alarmbot, players can recall the Turret, allowing Killjoy to adapt her strategy on the fly. While the Turret shouldn’t be relied on for kills, it is best for providing intel, slowing enemies, and creating distractions.
Lockdown
Killjoy’s ultimate ability, Lockdown, is a game-changing tool for controlling large areas and disrupting enemy plans. Lockdown creates a dome-shaped radius that, after a brief windup, detains all enemies caught inside. Detained enemies are rendered helpless and unable to use their weapons or abilities for 8 seconds, with the effect lasting for 13 seconds, giving plenty of time to take full advantage of the situation.
On offense, Lockdown can clear and secure a bomb site, flushing enemies out of cover and forcing them to retreat or face detainment. Lockdown can stall a hard enemy push on defense, giving the team time to reposition, flank, or force enemies to reconsider their approach. However, enemies can destroy the device before it activates, so placement is crucial.
Best VALORANT Maps to Play Killjoy
Controllers play an essential role when it comes to VALORANT map strategy. If you’re playing any of the following VALORANT maps, Killjoy is the best choice for your team:
- Lotus
- Fracture
- Icebox
- Bind
- Haven
- Ascent
Killjoy is also a great teammate on Pearl or Split, but these maps are not necessarily her best.
Best VALORANT Team Comps for Killjoy
On different VALORANT maps, Killjoy’s abilities complement different team compositions. Based on Killjoy’s best maps mentioned previously, here are the best team compositions for those maps:
- Lotus: Killjoy’s best team comp includes Gekko, Jett, Raze, and Viper. Due to her robust zone control and defensive utility with gadgets like the Turret and Nanoswarm, Killjoy can easily lock down bomb sites and delay enemy pushes. Killjoy’s Lockdown can flush enemies out of cover or prevent aggressive plays, while her Alarmbot and Nanoswarm combine well with Viper’s Toxic Screen and Snake Bite for area denial and post-plant defense. Gekko’s Wingman benefits from Killjoy’s defensive abilities during spike plants or defuses. At the same time, Jett and Raze can capitalize on the slowed or trapped enemies to finish them off.
- Fracture: Killjoy excels on Fracture alongside Raze, Breach, Fade, and Brimstone due to her zone control and ability to provide valuable information on this fast-paced map. Her Turret covers key entrances while Alarmbot and Nanoswarm stall enemy pushes and deny bomb plants. Killjoy’s VALORANT abilities allow Raze to capitalize on weakened opponents with her explosives, while Breach can force enemies into Killjoy’s traps using his crowd control. Additionally, Killjoy’s Lockdown is remarkably impactful on Fracture when combined with Breach’s Rolling Thunder or Brimstone’s Orbital Strike.
- Icebox: Killjoy is highly effective on Icebox with Viper, Sova, Sage, and Chamber, as her abilities are effective enough without needing a duelist. Killjoy’s Turret and Nanoswarm, paired with Viper’s Toxic Screen and Snake Bite, can control key areas and deter enemy advances. Sova’s Recon Bolt complements Killjoy’s setups by gathering intel, allowing her to deploy Alarmbot and Turret effectively. Sage’s healing abilities increase team survivability, supporting Killjoy’s aggressive playstyle. Additionally, Killjoy’s Lockdown combined with Viper’s Viper’s Pit or Sova’s Hunter’s Fury can force enemies out of hiding.
- Bind: Killjoy excels on Bind with ISO, Skye, Brimstone, and Astra. Her gadgets effectively cover flanks and deter enemy pushes, allowing her team to maintain map control and secure bomb sites. Skye’s healing and recon abilities enhance team survivability, as Brimstone’s Sky Smoke obscures sightlines for Killjoy to set up her defenses. Astra’s Gravity Well can further disrupt enemy movements, allowing Killjoy to use Lockdown to control entire sites and force opponents into unfavorable positions.
- Haven: Killjoy performs exceptionally on Haven with Jett, Yoru, Omen, and Skye. With three bomb sites on Haven, Killjoy’s Turret, and Nanoswarm allow for monitoring multiple entry points and delaying enemy advances. Jett and Yoru can use her setups to execute aggressive plays while remaining safe, as Killjoy’s gadgets deter enemy pushes and provide cover. Omen’s Shrouded Step enhances the team’s mobility, pairing nicely with Killjoy’s defensive capabilities. Skye’s healing and scouting also support the team, ensuring they remain in fighting shape.
- Ascent: Killjoy thrives on Ascent with Phoenix, Sova, KAY/O, and Brimstone due to her Turret and Nanoswarm abilities, effectively securing choke points and delaying enemy pushes. Sova’s Recon Bolt helps with Killjoy’s defensive strategies by gathering crucial intel. KAY/O’s FRAG/ment and OVERDRIVE enhance the team’s offensive power to capitalize on any disruption caused by Killjoy’s gadgets. Brimstone’s Sky Smoke further obscures enemy sightlines, making it easier for Killjoy to set up her defenses without drawing attention.
Immerse Yourself While Playing as VALORANT Agent Killjoy
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