Riot Games is kicking off the new year with explosive news for fans of its tactical shooter, Valorant. The highly anticipated introduction of the new agent, Tejo, is set for January 8, 2024, coinciding with the start of Valorant Season 2025 - Act I. This marks the arrival of the 27th agent to the game, showcasing Tejo as the first Colombian character, complete with unique abilities and tactical prowess.
Tejo, described as an experienced intelligence consultant and military veteran, brings to Valorant some serious firepower with his impressive kit. His abilities are geared toward gathering information, flushing out enemies, and damaging opponents strategically from afar. This sets him apart as a strong addition to the team-oriented gameplay Valorant is known for.
The core features of Tejo's abilities include:
- Special Delivery: Tejo can equip and launch a sticky grenade. Upon impact, the grenade adheres to the first surface it hits and then explodes, concussing any nearby targets. Players can also opt for an alternate fire to give it one bounce before sticking.
- Stealth Drone: Tejo throws out a stealth drone and assumes control over its movement. A second pulse is triggered to suppress and reveal enemies caught within its range, offering players valuable intel.
- Guided Salvo: This unique ability allows Tejo to select up to two locations on the map from which he can launch missiles. These missiles autonomously navigate to their chosen targets before detonations.
- Ultimate (Armageddon): A powerful tactical strike ability, Tejo selects the origin and endpoint of the strikes, unleashing devastating explosions along the designated path.
Riot Games aims for Tejo to add depth and strategy to team compositions, encouraging players to think about map control rather than just traditional angles. "We had gameplay opportunities where we wanted to have an Initiator who thought of the map differently — more top-down instead of taking angles one by one," shared Ryan “Rycou” Cousart, the game designer for Tejo.
Tejo's unique playstyle caters to strategic thinkers—players who can glean information from the environment and use it to their advantage. John Goscicki, the Agent team lead, remarked, "Tejo is one of the few Initiators without a flash, so he’ll be more effective with another Initiator like Breach or KAY/O, creating these really fast, explosive takes." With such synergy, Tejo offers even greater potential for coordinated plays among skilled players.
Adding to the excitement of Tejo's release, Riot is introducing a new content type called Flex. Players will be able to collect handheld objects to show off their personal flair within matches. The initial Flex items will be free upon logging in, with additional options available through the upcoming Battlepass.
Fans of the game can also look forward to the EX.O skinline, which will include futuristic weapon skins as part of this season’s offerings. The new season will not only introduce Tejo but also other cosmetic enhancements, celebrating community engagement and the enthusiastic player base.
Tejo’s official trailer has already garnered significant attention, indicating the interest and excitement for this new character. With tens of millions of monthly players, Valorant continues to innovate and attract new players. Tejo is expected to shake up the meta, particularly for initiators, introducing playstyles focused on proactive engagement rather than reactive tactics.
Tejo embodies the rugged spirit of action heroes, combining charisma with confidence. Described as “the man of action,” he dons a stylish wardrobe reflecting his character. Alongside his lethal skills and approachable charm, players are already speculating how Tejo will blend within existing team compositions and strategies.
With Valorant’s layered gameplay mechanics, agents like Tejo will challenge players to adapt and evolve. His toolkit provides opportunities for disruptions, creating openings for teammates to capitalize. Players must be prepared to learn the ins and outs of Tejo and use his unique abilities effectively to secure victories.
Tejo promises to be more than just another character—he is poised to become integral to Valorant’s culture and meta. With the 2025 season approaching fast, players are already gearing up for the challenges and opportunities this new agent will bring.
Get ready to step up to the battlefield alongside Tejo very soon as the season evolves and new strategies emerge, forever altering the game of Valorant.