Vyse’s wall is not as simple as placing it in the main choke point and getting a free kill while stopping the push entirely. This is because opponents can easily counter the Vyse wall by jump peeking. This does not make the ability ineffective. The wall can be a great tool to isolate fights, especially when combined with other abilities, creating an advantageous isolated duel.
Timing Abilities for Maximum IMpact
Combining Vyse’s wall with other abilities greatly enhances defense setups. For instance, securing a 1v1 against a blinded opponent who is also slowed significantly increases the odds of winning that fight. Using “bad walls” that give enemies opportunities to try to jump-trigger the wall in specific spots, such as placing it diagonally on A main, can also prove effective. In these cases, coordination with a teammate’s smoke can force enemies into trying to activate the wall, which provides an opportunity to spam the wall and catch them off-guard.
Vyse’s Shear on Attack
Vyse’s Shear ability, costing only 200 credits, offers useful information when activated. It functions effectively as a flank watch or in a post-plant situation to make retakes difficult for the enemy. It is usually best to hold onto Shear if another sentinel is on the team with tripwires. If not, simply telling the team to watch for flanks while saving Shear for the post-plant can greatly enhance its impact.
Using Razor Vine for Site Control
Vyse’s Razor Vine acts as a combination of a Sage slow and a KJ nade, providing a slowing effect and dealing chip damage. Though it may not deal as much damage as a nano swarm or slow as effectively as a slow orb, it remains a powerful tool when used properly. Defensively, Razor Vine can be placed around choke points like a Killjoy Molly, and it will go invisible after placement. The slowing effect and the loud noise caused by walking through the vine make it effective at controlling the opponent’s movement.
Razor Vine’s large range and long duration make it a strong defensive tool, especially when defending a post-plant. It is less effective when used aggressively since it can be shot before activation. However, its usefulness increases in combination with Vyse’s wall and signature ability, allowing powerful area control. The trajectory of Razor Vine matches that of Brimstone’s mollies, giving it good range for learning lineups if desired.
Vyse’s Signature Ability – Arc rose
Vyse’s signature ability, Arc rose, functions like a Cypher camera that flashes enemies. Once positioned, it becomes invisible until activation or if enemies come within 10 meters. Although it becomes visible during activation, opponents cannot shoot it until after the Vyse flash. The unique aspect of Arros is that Vyse can have her gun out while using it, allowing immediate punishment upon activation. Combining Arros with Razor Vine or Vyse’s wall significantly enhances its effectiveness.
Aggressive Arros Placement
Arros can be placed aggressively in a manner similar to Breach’s flash. By right-clicking during the placement, Arros can be set through walls, adding unpredictability. However, be cautious with this method, as enemies can easily shoot it and put it on a long cooldown. If placed aggressively through walls, it’s best to combine it with other utility to prevent it from being destroyed.
Vyse x Ultimate – Steel Garden
Steel Garden, Vyse’s ultimate, functions similarly to Killjoy’s lockdown but with different strengths and weaknesses.
Steel Garden jams enemies’ primary weapons for 8 seconds after a 3.4-second windup, forcing them to use secondary or agent weapons. Its shorter windup and indestructibility allow more aggressive use compared to Killjoy’s lockdown. Additionally, Steel Garden costs eight ultimate points compared to Killjoy’s nine, providing more frequent opportunities for use.
Steel Garden, despite some limitations compared to Killjoy’s lockdown, provides powerful utility for site takes, retakes, or stopping enemy pushes. It often outperforms most other agents’ ultimates, making it beneficial to take the defuse for an ultimate point over agents like Omen or Reyna.
