The curtain has come down on Valorant Champions 2023, and almost all the game's Agents got their moment to shine during the event. Even the more specialized characters like Reyna and Yoru had their time on the global stage.
Teams like DRX and Evil Geniuses managed to put Yoru into their strategies, with varying degrees of success. And then there were surprises from teams like EDward Gaming and Paper Rex, who brought out Reyna to catch their opponents off-guard.
But in the midst of all this action, one Agent remained in the shadows – Deadlock, the newest addition to the Agent lineup.
The Lone Agent Left Out: Deadlock Missing from Valorant Champions
While it's usually expected for new Agents to be considered overpowered when they're released, Deadlock seems to have been disregarded by the professional teams. Leading up to the tournament, coaches and pros were asked what they thought about Deadlock and if we'd see her in the event. The unanimous answer was a simple "no."
The spotlight managed to evade Deadlock during the competition. Before the playoffs began, only two Agents – Reyna and Deadlock – hadn't been picked in the Los Angeles matches. However, as the playoffs progressed, PRX and EDG chose Reyna for their lineups, leaving Deadlock as the only Agent not given a chance.
Is Deadlock Viable, and Can Riot Help?
Whether Deadlock, the Sentinel from Norway, needs some improvement or a complete rework is a decision for Riot Games. Insights from coaches at the event suggest that Deadlock's tools don't quite measure up to those of other Sentinel characters, and her Barrier Mesh ability is the only standout.
With Riot Games having some time before the next season to potentially make changes to Deadlock, and with the upcoming Patch 7.04 bringing nerfs to some of the top characters, it's possible that Deadlock might become more popular in the game. This could reignite interest in what she brings to the table.
