Ultimates in Valorant are powerful abilities that can turn the tide of a round. Players often view ultimates as the key to winning, but there’s a tendency to overestimate their importance or use them ineffectively. It’s crucial to reframe how to think about ultimates in the game.

Killjoy’s Strength on Bind

Killjoy is often underappreciated on Bind, with few professional teams utilizing her. The assumption is that Killjoy’s ultimate, the Lockdown, has limited use on Bind due to the lack of ideal placements. However, Killjoy’s strengths go beyond her ultimate. When defaulting alone, Killjoy can play passively, gathering information without risking a player. Her turret, “Timmy,” can watch one lane, allowing the team to focus resources elsewhere. This flexibility on a small map like Bind makes Killjoy an underrated pick.

The argument that Killjoy isn’t viable on Bind due to her ultimate’s limited impact is flawed. Across a full game of Bind, Killjoy will likely only use her ultimate two or three times. People tend to overvalue ultimates when assessing an agent’s overall effectiveness. The same goes for other agents. For instance, Omen is a popular pick, not because of his ultimate, but because of his frequent use of smokes, flashes, and teleportation.

Rethinking the Value of Valorant Ultimates

Ultimates are useful, but they shouldn’t be the sole reason for picking an agent or shaping playstyles. Most rounds will not feature a player’s ultimate, so relying on an agent’s other abilities is key. Agents like Omen remain strong because their utility is consistently available throughout the match, while ultimates might only appear a few times.

Using ultimates in Valorant should be strategic. While ultimates can change the course of a round, it’s important to use them at the right time. For example, using an ultimate in a round that was already heavily in your favor may not contribute as much to the overall game. However, using it during a crucial round where the outcome impacts both teams’ economies can have a massive influence on the game.

Timing Your Ultimates Correctly

The game features a reset of ultimates at the end of round 12, meaning any unspent ultimates will be lost for the second half. Players should aim to use their ultimates in round 12 or just before, ensuring maximum efficiency. Far too often, players hold onto their ultimates for too long, potentially wasting opportunities. If an ultimate is ready by round four or five, it should be used soon, allowing time for another to charge before the half ends.

Holding onto an ultimate for too long can limit its effectiveness. Using ultimates early increases the chances of getting a second one during the half, providing more opportunities to make an impact. If a player delays using their ultimate until later in the half, they miss the chance to build up for a second use. On the flip side, if a player struggles to get an ultimate until round eight or nine, they should save it for the perfect moment, maximizing its impact since it’s unlikely they’ll get another one before the half ends.

Strategic Valorant Ultimates in Higher-Level Play

Some ultimates, like Breach’s Rolling Thunder or Killjoy’s Lockdown, can influence how opponents play. These ultimates may force opponents to adjust their strategies, such as playing for a full retake. In these situations, even holding an ultimate can create value by making opponents hesitant to play aggressively. While using the ultimate early in a half is still advisable, holding onto it toward the end of the half can keep opponents on edge.