After a year-long break, Valorant has welcomed a new addition to its roster: Waylay, a Thai Duelist. Waylay, as the 28th Agent and eighth Duelist in the game, boasts a distinctive set of abilities designed to secure first blood and gather valuable information from bomb sites. This guide will delve into how players can optimize her notable ability, Convergent Paths, to gain a strategic edge in various situations.
Understanding Waylay’s Convergent Paths (X) Ability
Riot Games has once again innovated within the gameplay mechanics. Instead of disorienting opponents with a stun, Waylay’s Convergent Paths (X) ability slows down enemies, allowing her to capitalize on their compromised mobility. When activated, Waylay receives a considerable speed boost, enabling her to close the distance on foes effectively.
Simultaneously, adversaries caught within the ability’s area of effect (AoE) experience substantial movement penalties, making it challenging for them to escape or regroup. The tactical deployment of this ability can shift the momentum of encounters dramatically.
Waylay’s Ultimate, Convergent Paths (X), requires eight charge points and grants her a 15% speed enhancement for seven seconds. Furthermore, opponents entangled within the beam are impeded for the same duration, fundamentally altering the dynamics of engagements during critical moments.
As described officially, the ultimate ability has the following mechanics:
“EQUIP to focus your prismatic power. FIRE to create an afterimage of yourself that projects a beam of light. After a brief delay, you gain a powerful speed boost, and the beam expands, hindering other players in the area.”
Strategies for Effectively Utilizing Waylay’s Convergent Paths (X)
Waylay’s Convergent Paths (X) ability proves invaluable in numerous scenarios, particularly when securing bomb sites or thwarting enemy defusals. Here are several expert strategies to maximize the potential of this Thai Agent’s capabilities:
1) Securing Control of Bomb Sites
The primary function of the Convergent Paths ability is to disable opponents, making it ideal for taking control of critical areas. Coordinate with an Initiator Agent, such as Sova with his Owl Drone, Recon Bolt, or Fade’s Haunt, to gather vital intelligence before deploying Waylay’s ultimate. By understanding enemy positions, players can position themselves optimally to achieve easy eliminations.
2) Navigating After-Plant Scenarios
Waylay’s ultimate shines brightly in after-plant situations. When the sound of bomb defusals is heard, activating the Convergent Paths ability can effectively disrupt opponents attempting to disarm the device, thus securing the round for your team without any direct confrontation.
3) Synergizing with Other Agents’ Utilities
Given the speed boost and hindering characteristics of Waylay’s ultimate, players can enhance their effectiveness by combining her abilities with those of other agents. For instance, Raze can unleash her Paintshells, or Brimstone may deploy an Orbital Strike to maximize damage and leverage the momentary chaos created by Convergent Paths.