Valorant’s agent #4, Killjoy, was first introduced in the game in August 2020. Killjoy is a sentinel agent who comes with reliable information-gathering and defensive tools. Despite going through a series of nerfs, Killjoy is dominant and a popular agent for any map. That is why Killjoy always stays on the top half of the Valorant agent tier list. So, if you want to master Killjoy in Valorant, check out the best tips and tricks for her in this guide.
Valorant Killjoy: Abilities Explained
Killjoy is a mastermind and dominating flanks or site control. If your team requires someone to hold their ground steady, Killjoy’s ability kit is exceptional. Here is a brief ability guide for Valorant agent Killjoy.
Nanoswarm (C)
Killjoy throws a Nanoswarm like a grenade. Upon landing, it remains dormant until activated. When Killjoy triggers the Nanoswarm, a swarm of nanobots erupts from the device, inflicting 45 damage per second on any enemies caught in its area of effect. This ability excels at denying area control, preventing enemies from pushing onto a site or planting the spike. The lingering nanobots effectively block choke points and deter enemies from entering specific areas.
Alarmbot (Q)
Killjoy equips a covert Alarmbot that hunts down enemies in its range. Upon reaching its target, the Alarmbot explodes, applying a vulnerability debuff for 4 seconds. This debuff weakens the enemy, making them take increased damage from all sources, including weapons and abilities. This vulnerability window creates a prime opportunity for Killjoy and her teammates to eliminate the affected enemy.
Turret (E)
Killjoy deploys a stationary Turret that actively fires at enemies within its line of sight (100 degrees POV). This automated weapon provides reliable defensive coverage, strategically guarding key areas like choke points or flanks. The Turret’s gunfire not only deals damage but also helps with intel gathering, as its activation alerts Killjoy to the presence of nearby enemies.
Additionally, the Turret’s attacks synergize well with Killjoy’s other abilities. When combined with the vulnerability debuff from her Alarmbot or Nanoswarm, the Turret can quickly eliminate weakened targets.
Lockdown (X – Ultimate)
Killjoy’s Lockdown (X) is a powerful area-denial ultimate. After a brief activation delay of 13 seconds, a large, circular device is deployed, stunning any enemies caught within its radius for 8 seconds. The device can be destroyed early, but it provides a significant tactical advantage for Killjoy’s team, allowing for aggressive pushes, site retakes, or defusal attempts. Strategic placement of Lockdown is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness.
Valorant Killjoy: 7 Best Tips and Tricks
Once you know what are the abilities of Killjoy, things will start to look easier. However, the road to master her is way beyond that. Follow our Killjoy guide below that helps you with all important and cool tips and tricks.
1. Information Matters
The key to Killjoy is knowing your ability to voice queues. All Killjoy abilities make different sounds, either during activation or destruction. For this primary reason, buying abilities becomes a priority.
Once the sentry gun comes into contact, it will start shooting. This will help you identify the enemy’s location. Although it is not too precise, if you detect audio properly, it can be game-changing. Similarly, your alarm bot will find and chase the enemy once they are in range. Even if the enemy destroys it, you will also get a voice queue for that. So, the next time, keep your ears open and your trigger finger ready.
2. Never Openly Plant Defenses
Now that you know information-gathering is a priority for Killjoy do not plant your utilities in the open. If the enemies destroy them, you will naturally have little to no information.
So, the next time you plant your defenses, ensure it’s in an area the enemy won’t expect. Planting an alarm bot to watch your flank can be helpful even during an attack. This will help secure the backstab.
As a Killjoy, you should always mix up your setup. If the attackers predict the utilities, they will plan around it. The more you mix things up, the harder it will be for enemies to breach your Killjoy defense. You can also switch the places you play to confuse the enemy, trying to avoid where Killjoy is playing.
3. Keep Utility HP in Mind
If you are playing Killjoy, remember that your abilities are your friends. Without them, you are just an agent with a gun. Your sentry gun or Turret comes with 100 HP, similar to an agent without armor. So try to swing when enemies are distracted at shooting it down.
The Alarm bot has 50 HP, so it can die in one precise shot. Similarly, Nanoswarms are also squishy as they have only 20 HP. However, your ultimate Lockdown ability has 200 HP. So, utilize it properly.
Many enemy abilities can destroy the Lockdown, so make sure you place it in a secure place. Unlike Cypher traps, Killjoy’s Alarmbot and Nanoswarms resemble the Trademark of Chamber. Once they trigger, they do not return. So the next time you feel out of luck, remember and protect your abilities.
4. Take Back and Redeploy
The good thing about your signature ability as Killjoy is that you can redeploy the Turret after it’s destroyed. However, if you want, you can take back your Turret early and redeploy it faster for a full HP Turret.
You can also take back your Alarm bot and deploy it in a different location. Remember to always take your abilities with you once you are going for a retake at a different site. This simple trick can be valuable to help you win more rounds in Valorant as Killjoy.
5. Play Cheeky Post-plant
There are two ways you can secure the post-plant as a Killjoy. The first tip is to put your Turret before the spike’s vision and let it do the first duel. After planting, place your nanoswarms around the spike in a way the enemy cannot detect unless they come close enough.
If you have not put an alarm bot in place for detection, wait for the spike to be touched by the enemy and trigger one of the nanoswarms. After 4 seconds (Nanoswarm damage duration), trigger the other one.
You can also play at a post-plant lineup spot and through the Nanoswarm when you hear the defuse sound. We never recommend the post-plant because it makes you vulnerable to enemy push, so it’s probably better to use the first trick.
6. Block Entry Points with Nanoswarm
Nanoswarms are not just a defensive or post-plant tool. You can combine it with Clove and their meddle or slow orb by Sage to guarantee some early kills. If you are playing alone on a site, plant the nanoswarms at the entry points.
As soon as you detect enemies entering, trigger them and peek while you see them run away from the damage of Nanoswarm. As these pesky little bots are low on HP and can be shut down by Kay/o knife or ultimate, make sure to plant them in unpredictable spots.
7. Do Not Lurk Alone
Many Killjoys get influenced by Cypher and end up lurking. Sadly, it’s not a good move. Unlike Cypher, Killjoy’s abilities have a range of work. If you are not within that range, those abilities will shut down. So, it is better to stick around your utilities and team most of the time to maximize your potential.
These were the best tips and tricks you should use as a Killjoy to improve in Valorant. So, what are you waiting for? Try them out, and let us know about your experience in the comments below!
