Riot has officially confirmed a slate of nerfs for Tejo, one of Valorant’s more oppressive initiators. These changes, expected to go live in the next patch, reduce Tejo’s ease of use and effectiveness in multiple phases of the round. According to Riot, while agent abilities help define Valorant’s identity, the primary goal remains preserving the game’s tactical shooter core. When overlapping utility begins to bypass fundamental gunplay or removes meaningful counterplay, adjustments are inevitable.
Tejo’s strength, particularly his rocket spam potential and safe engagements, became a clear outlier. Riot is reining in these advantages by adjusting ultimate cost, rocket availability, and overall utility access.
Ultimate Cost and Rocket Availability Adjustments
The first major nerf is a change to Tejo’s ultimate ability cost. It now requires 9 points, up from 8. While the increase is moderate, it places Tejo alongside some of the game’s more situational or high-impact ultimates. The effectiveness of his ultimate has varied by player and situation, but this change will slightly slow down his impact tempo.
More significant is the overhaul to his Guided Salvo. Previously, players had access to two rockets by default. Going forward, only one will be available unless the second is purchased separately for 150 credits. This change mirrors mechanics like Skye’s flash system, where additional utility must be bought. Expect more single-rocket use in early rounds and greater care in utility sequencing.
Ability Price Shifts and Drone Tweaks
Two of Tejo’s abilities have received price adjustments. The Stealth Drone increases from 300 to 400 credits, aligning it with Sova’s drone cost. Conversely, Special Delivery drops from 300 to 200 credits. The total investment across both remains the same, but the distribution now reflects each ability’s tactical value more accurately.
The biggest consequence is for pistol rounds and eco rounds. A likely buy pattern on pistol rounds might include purchasing Guided Salvo and Special Delivery, totaling 350 credits, leaving room for either light shields or a sidearm like Frenzy. It limits flexibility, but not drastically—except when compared to other initiators who maintain full utility at round start.
Cooldown Removal: The Most Drastic Change
By far the most significant nerf is the removal of Tejo’s cooldown mechanic. This means once a rocket is used, it’s gone—no recharges mid-round. Riot implemented a similar change for Skye, and the impact was immediate and dramatic. Cooldown removal directly limits the amount of pressure Tejo can apply across a round and eliminates his ability to stall or recontest with utility from safe positions.
This change alone could gut Tejo’s pick rate. His strongest trait was sustained threat. Without cooldowns, his power must now be condensed into tighter tactical windows, requiring far more calculated usage. Agents like Kay/O, Sova, Fade, or Gekko—all of whom offer more consistent utility uptime—suddenly become more attractive picks.
Is Tejo Still Viable?
Tejo may still have a place in lineups, particularly on smaller maps where reduced utility range has less impact. His updated playstyle will likely favor single rocket execution setups followed by post-plant denial, spreading out utility across phases rather than relying on repeat usage.
One strategy could involve using the first rocket during an entry and saving the second for post-plant. Denial plays around spike locations could remain strong, especially on maps with predictable plant zones. While the changes narrow his role, they don’t erase his value entirely.
That said, with Kay/O receiving buffs and other initiators still offering powerful recon and disruption, Tejo now fits into a much tighter niche. Players must adapt quickly to keep him relevant.
