Ever since Deadlock was introduced in VALORANT, there has been ongoing debate about her effectiveness in the game. As a sentinel, she shares many similarities with Sage. Deadlock made her debut during the sentinel meta, a period dominated by agents like Killjoy and Chamber, who boasted high pick and win rates in official tournaments. Surprisingly, Deadlock saw a zero percent pick rate in the VALORANT Champions Tour Convergence 2023 and the Predator League Asia Pacific 2024.
However, recent buffs to her abilities have made Deadlock more viable. Despite this, she still lacks something to rival the utility of agents like Cypher and Killjoy. In this article, we’ll explore potential improvements that Riot could make to strengthen Deadlock in VALORANT.
What Buffs Does Deadlock Need to Thrive in VALORANT?
Image Credits: Riot Games
The recent VALORANT Episode 8.01 patch brought several useful buffs to Deadlock. Firstly, her Barrier mesh has been extended by 4 meters on each end, providing greater coverage and control over choke points. Additionally, her Sonic sensors have received a significant enhancement, allowing Deadlock to recall and adjust them during the round, offering increased mobility and adaptability for post-plant situations and backstab tracking.
While Deadlock and Sage share similarities with their signature breakable walls, Deadlock’s lack of abilities that cause direct damage or offer sustained utility sets her at a disadvantage. To become a key sentinel in the game, Deadlock would benefit from an ability that reloads after use, similar to Skye’s flash or Sage’s heal. This mechanic would prevent her from exhausting all her abilities in a single round, ensuring strategic options for her team. If VALORANT were to implement this buff, it could have a significant impact on Deadlock’s pick rate in upcoming VCT leagues.
