October 5, 2023
If you want to be an active part of your team’s firepower, Killjoy may be the agent for you. Killjoy made their first appearance at the beginning of Valorant’s Act 2 and has since become a solid member of Valorant’s agent roster.
Killjoy is part of the sentinel class and thrives on defense. She can lock down a site and provide her team with crucial information to help during rounds. She makes up for what she lacks in smokes and dueling potential with abilities that can force enemies off bomb sites. Her utility can be used while fighting soft pushes. She is a great addition to any team and an excellent character for those just jumping into the game.
Alarmbot
This ability is perfect for distracting enemies in the area, and it gives them a disadvantage when it hits. Unlike her Nanoswarm ability, the Alarmbot is completely invisible until it detects an enemy. Once the enemy is detected, they are hit with the ‘Vulnerable” debuff that slows the enemy.
The best location for Alarmbots will be at the edges and corners of entry points. This can be an excellent tactical move that forces the enemy to peek or ignore it. If they peek, they become an easy target; if they ignore it, they will be hit with the debuff. It’s also retractable should you place it somewhere else for a more tactile position mid-match, and it can only take about 2-3 shots before it’s taken out.
Turret
Turret is a great ability that can help Killjoy hold down a site single-handedly. It’s an automated turret that shoots enemies within its cone-shaped range. It is also Killjoy’s free ability and can be retracted after a 20-second cooldown.
While the turret does not do massive damage, it can help strategically when trying to distract an enemy and pinpoint their location. The turret hits for about 12 damage per burst and shoots three bullets per burst. If an enemy has a shield, they will only take about 3-4 damage per burst.
A good strategy for Turret placement would be to place it at an angle where it can spot enemies crossing to the site. You can position yourself on the opposite angle to set up your crossfire. Once the turret starts shooting, you should have a good idea of where the enemy will be, allowing you to shoot without giving away your position if timed correctly.
Here is a video (below) of ideal Turret placement in Haven. Note how the player positions the turret on one side and then places themselves opposite it to cover a broader range. The turret can also be set higher and can shoot enemies below it as long it has a vision on them.
Some drawbacks of the turret are that it’s fragile, only having to take about four shots from a Vandal or Phantom, and about five from a standard pistol. Turrets can also be tagged by Sova’s Owl Drone, and the location can be pinged for the enemies’ teammates. The turret’s line of sight can also easily be blocked by smoke and walls. However, an enemy can still get shot within Omen’s hollow Dark Cover.
Nanoswarm
This is a tricky ability for Killjoy because it’s easily detectable. This ability is a grenade that Killjoy throws. It has an area effect that can stall pushes, deny bomb plants, and defuse. This ability deals massive damage and takes about three seconds to eliminate an enemy, so timing and placement are key.
Nanoswarm is detectable when an enemy approaches it and can be quickly taken out if it’s not activated in time. The best way to use Nanoswarm is to find a number of hiding spots for the unsuspecting players on the other team. You can also use this ability with a teammate’s smoke by throwing it on or in front of the smoke for a combo attack dealing huge damage.
Lockdown
Lockdown is Killjoy’s ultimate ability. It costs 7 points, and it has about a 13 second activation process, so it can be very difficult to time right. When activated, it signals all enemies within a huge radius and detains those caught inside of it. When detained, enemies are crippled and are unable to use their abilities or shoot their weapons. Detained enemies will also not be able to plant or defuse, so timing with this ability is everything.
When executed perfectly, this ability can decide a battle. We recommend placing this ability in an area your opponents can not easily reach as it only takes 4 shots from a Vandal or Phantom to destroy it.
Here (https://youtu.be/f6hqFcm9sc8) is a video that showcases a good plant location in Haven. Lockdown’s radius is large. However, with its long activation window, enemies will sometimes try to find and destroy the placed Lockdown. Make sure to stay vigilant as 13 seconds is a long time when suddenly the entire opposing team is rushing towards you.
Tips and Tricks
Killjoy is no duelist, so staying alive and having access to her ultimate later in rounds can be a deciding factor.
On Defense, place your alarm bot in an easy-to-trigger and hard-to-see spot. Using this combined with your Turret ability can help notify you of the team’s push onto the point you hold.
Offensively, protect your flank from players pushing through the backline once your team gives away which site you’re pushing. Always think of ways to set up a crossfire when placing your turret.
Remember that most of your abilities are fragile and can be destroyed easily, so timing and location are key. Killjoy is a powerful defensive agent; players may get more of an advantage out of her in the defending rounds. Her kit can delay or outright stop an incoming push from the opposing team if used correctly.