Valorant is set to experience a shift where some agents, particularly Deadlock and Sage, may become obsolete. The reason lies in the introduction of a new agent called Vyse, who plays a similar role to Deadlock and Sage. All three are Sentinels and possess wall abilities. However, Vyse is significantly superior, and this creates a serious issue for Deadlock and Sage, necessitating potential changes to keep them relevant.

Vyse’s Superiority Over Deadlock and Sage

Vyse can be described as an upgraded version of Deadlock and Sage. Imagine a barrier Sentinel like Deadlock and Sage, but much more effective. Vyse offers an indestructible wall, while Sage and Deadlock do not. Vyse also provides a signature ability that is truly useful, unlike what Sage and Deadlock offer. Moreover, Vyse’s abilities recharge, and players can use them at the start of a round, which isn’t the case for Sage and Deadlock.

For instance, Vyse’s signature ability recharges in 20 seconds, providing both a flash and information. This combination is incredibly powerful. A similar agent had to be nerfed earlier this year because a flash that provided information was deemed too strong. Vyse, however, excels in this area, while Sage and Deadlock lack comparable abilities.

Deadlock and Sage in Current Meta

Despite this, Deadlock and Sage aren’t entirely useless agents. Towards the end of recent patches, there were instances where Deadlock found value, and a few Deadlock rounds stood out. However, these successes occurred before Vyse was introduced. With Vyse’s flexibility and overall superiority, the reasons to pick Deadlock or Sage over Vyse are dwindling.

In ranked play, particularly at lower ranks, Deadlock and Sage still hold some utility. Players in lower ranks tend to rush sites, and using a wall to delay enemies can buy time for rotations. However, Valorant isn’t balanced around low-rank gameplay. Balance changes in the game revolve around high-level and professional play, where Deadlock and Sage struggle, and Vyse’s introduction could push their pick rate to zero.

The Problem with Signature Abilities

To make Deadlock and Sage viable options, addressing their signature abilities is crucial. Signature abilities are central to an agent’s strength in Valorant. Reflect on the most overpowered agents in Valorant history, and it’s likely their signature ability played a significant role in making them broken. Signature abilities are essential because they’re available every round, without needing to be purchased.

The issue is that Deadlock and Sage have weak signature abilities. Deadlock cannot refresh any of its utility, which is problematic in high-level play where refreshable utility becomes extremely valuable. Sage, while having a refreshable ability, suffers from a poorly designed signature. Her heal, on a 45-second cooldown, is rarely usable at the start of a round since everyone begins with full health. Even when the heal becomes available, it’s unlikely to be used more than once per round due to the timing and conditions required.

Vyse’s Advantages

Comparing this to Vyse, who has a 20-second cooldown on a much stronger ability, the imbalance becomes evident. Vyse’s flash, which provides information, mirrors an agent that was previously nerfed for being too powerful. Vyse essentially combines utility and flexibility in ways Deadlock and Sage do not.