Deadlock introduces new dynamics to Valorant that players could use to gain an advantage in their matches.
Instead of personally testing Valorant Agent 23 on every map by yourself, here’s a list of the four best maps for Deadlock.
Before we dive into the maps, let’s have a closer look at Deadlock’s agent abilities to understand the specific areas in Valorant where she performs well.
How to play Deadlock
Deadlock deviates from the playstyle of her counterparts, Killjoy, Chamber, and Cypher, who rely on setting up utilities and strategically positioning themselves. Instead, Deadlock’s gameplay revolves around adaptability and decision-making that maximizes her team’s potential for success.
While Deadlock may not excel in covering flanks compared to other sentinels, her unique abilities, GravNet and Barrier Mesh, can be effectively employed as entry tools during attacks and as means to delay enemy pushes on defense.
Meanwhile, Deadlock’s Sonic Sensor requires some creativity to get the most out of the two abilities. The Sonic Sensor is unreliable for watching flanks and catching lurkers. It is also a great tool for stopping attacking duelists and making it difficult for defenders to defuse the spike.
Deadlock’s Annihilation ultimate has the potential to effectively secure rounds in clutch situations. When activated, it puts pressure on the opposing team and compels them to take action, forcing them to make strategic moves in response.
The best maps for Deadlock
Ascent
Deadlock’s defensive utility can be used in A main, B main, and A short, three of the most contested areas in Ascent.
Deadlock can delay pushes and buy more time before the attackers seize control of the A and B sites by using her GravNet at the choke points of both sites. Additionally, placing her Sonic Sensor near the door switches on both sites will expose attackers to vulnerable positions, making it easier for defenders to hold the sites.
Deadlock can deploy her GravNet on attack at key locations on the A site, such as behind Generator or the two single stack blocks near hell. This will make it difficult for defenders to peek into the entrances of both the A and B sites.
Fracture
Fracture is a map that has plenty of entry points to each site. Instead of placing Deadlock’s abilities in different areas of the map, her abilities would be better suited inside the sites like the default of A site and B tower – places where attackers and defenders will always try to take control.
Make sure to use Deadlock’s Sonic Sensor to concuss enemies instead of using it to detect where your opponents are, because lurkers will not make noise when they’re roaming around the map anyway.
Deadlock’s Barrier Mesh will also delay the attacking team’s pushes and the defending squad’s retakes. This is a great tool for any team since teams often split their attack and retakes on Fracture.
Pearl
B site has always been difficult to defend, but Deadlock could be the answer we’ve been waiting for. Her Barrier Mesh will deny attackers from walking into the B site freely. The Barrier Mesh will also block off Gekko’s Wingman from planting the spike since it won’t be able to walk through the barrier.
Placing her Sonic Sensor in B hall and the default spike plant area will slow down attackers and give Deadlock’s teammates more time to rotate to the B site.
Deadlock also has an advantage on the B site because of her Annihilation ultimate, which is perfect for post-plant situations. Her ultimate bounces off surfaces, so she can prevent defenders from defusing the spike while staying in cover.
This strategy also works on defense if Deadlock is trying to get the defuse. Deadlock needs to aim her Annihilation ultimate to B long to remove the enemy attacker watching over the spike.
Bind
Deadlock’s toolkit shines in Bind’s narrow corridors and different choke points. Like Ascent, throwing her GravNet will make it difficult for attackers to push into the A and B sites.
Her Sonic Sensor will also make it difficult for attackers to clear the many corners of both sites because they will be forced to move away from the ability’s AOE when activated. Another advantage Deadlock has on Bind is that she can block off the entrances and exits of the teleporters, making it difficult for the enemy team to rotate around the map.
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