Riot Games continues to build Valorant into one of the biggest FPS games today, as players can choose from a diverse group of agents with different abilities. Its cast of characters is about to get even larger, as Valorant has just revealed its next agent.
Four new agents have been added to Valorant since the game's launch, with Yoru, Agent 14, being the most recent to be released at the start of Episode 2, Act 1. Recently, Valorant accounts began teasing Agent 15 across multiple different social media platforms and country accounts. There were common motifs across all the teasers, such as stars, space, and a cosmic-looking hand. The official playlist for the new agent was also released, which is a tradition Riot Games has done for each Valorant agent.
Not even a week after Valorant started teasing Agent 15, it has revealed the new agent with an exciting trailer showing off their abilities. Astra is a new Controller-class agent from Ghana, with a uniquely cosmic kit. All agents have a signature ability, two purchasable abilities, and an ultimate. For Astra, it looks like she has a concuss, a smoke, a CC, and then a wall-like ultimate.
Astra is able to place Stars in different areas of Valorant's maps, which she can later use to activate her different abilities. Her Gravity Well ability will activate a Star, pulling all players in a close area towards its center. Her Nova Pulse ability will consume a Star to create a concussion for any nearby players. Her Nebula ability will use a Star to create a temporary smoke field.
Perhaps one of the most interesting reveals of the trailer is Astra's ultimate ability. What is known as "Cosmic Divide" brings to mind Symmetra's ultimate from Overwatch. Astra equips her tactical map, choosing a line that will become an opaque cosmic barrier across the entire length of the map. Apparently, enemy agents can still pass through Cosmic Divide, but they will not be able to see anything on the other side, which can always be a risk.
Some players may get one glimpse at Astra's abilities and feel frustrated, especially when it seems that flashes and crowd control are taking over the game at times. Hopefully, Astra will be balanced enough to be a worthwhile addition to the game. However, players won't have to wait too long for Astra to arrive, as she is planned to become available on March 2.
The introduction of Astra is taking Valorant to new, even cosmic, heights. Riot Games seems very interested in creating a game that women are comfortable playing, especially since there will be efforts to uplift women in Valorant's esports scene. As the developers keep addressing in-game toxicity, and releasing new and exciting content, Valorant will most likely continue to grow.
Valorant is available now on PC.