Why Valorant’s New Agent Tejo is Broken and What Riot Could Do to Nerf Him

The introduction of Tejo, the new Initiator agent in Valorant, has sparked significant debate within the community. While some players are excited about his abilities, others are calling him out for being too powerful.

Tejo’s Abilities

Tejo’s kit includes several abilities that make him highly effective but also potentially unbalanced:

• Basic Ability (C): Tejo can deploy an invisible drone that exposes any player within its blast radius, making him more effective than KAY/O.
• Q Ability: This ability concusses opponents, adding to Tejo’s disruptive capabilities.
• Signature Ability (E): Tejo can call an air strike in a small area, similar to Brimstone’s ultimate but on a smaller scale.
• Ultimate (X): Tejo can drop a carpet of bombs that eliminate anyone caught in its area, similar to Breach’s ultimate but more lethal.

Community Reaction

The community is divided over Tejo’s abilities. Some players feel he is too powerful and unoriginal, being a mix of other agents’ abilities. Comments like “Riot is running out of ideas” and calls for immediate nerfs are common. On the other hand, some players are eager to main Tejo from day one.

Balance Concerns

This is not the first time players have urged for balance changes. Since Valorant’s release, there have been numerous nerfs and buffs to agent abilities. The balance team uses data, including in-game telemetry and player feedback, to identify and adjust imbalanced agents. For example, if an agent’s win rate is too high or low, or if players find an agent frustrating to play against, these metrics inform balance decisions.

Potential Nerfs

To address the concerns, Riot could consider several nerfs:

• Reduce Drone Duration: Shortening the duration of Tejo’s invisible drone could make it less oppressive.
• Increase Air Strike Cooldown: Making Tejo’s air strike ability less frequent could balance its impact.
• Limit Ultimate Damage: Reducing the lethality of Tejo’s ultimate or increasing its cooldown could prevent it from being too game-changing.

Long-Term Balance

Riot’s balance process is ongoing and adaptive. The team continuously monitors data and player feedback to ensure the game remains balanced. Changes are often made after observing how new agents perform in both casual and competitive play. For instance, the introduction of new maps or agents can shift the meta, requiring adjustments to existing agents.

Additional Considerations

When nerfing Tejo, Riot needs to consider the broader meta implications. Here are some additional points:

• Agent Synergy: Changes to Tejo should be evaluated in the context of how he interacts with other agents. Over-nerfing could make him too weak, while under-nerfing might leave him too strong.
• Competitive Impact: Pro players and competitive matches provide valuable insights into how agents perform at the highest level. Any nerfs should be tested in these environments to ensure they do not disrupt the competitive balance.
• Community Feedback: Continuous engagement with the community is crucial. Riot should gather feedback from players of all skill levels to understand the full impact of Tejo’s abilities and any subsequent changes.
• Historical Context: Looking at past balance changes can provide lessons. For example, agents like Sage and Reyna have undergone significant changes based on their performance and community feedback. Understanding these precedents can help in making more informed decisions about Tejo[2][4].

By addressing these concerns and considering the broader implications, Riot can ensure that Tejo becomes a balanced and enjoyable addition to the Valorant roster.