It’s been a year since Gekko joined VCT, and since then, the game has seen numerous meta shifts. With VCT Masters Madrid 2024 wrapping up, Gekko’s ability, Wingman (affectionately known as Lil’ Bro), has truly shown its potential. However, after witnessing Wingman dominate almost every match, I am convinced that it needs a significant nerf. Let’s delve into why I believe Wingman is overpowered in Valorant and why Riot should prioritize nerfing it.
Wingman’s Long Reach from Afar
Valorant players are well aware of Gekko’s formidable abilities. From the sticky blue flashes to the ultimate disarming power, his toolkit is quite versatile. So, why are we focusing only on the adorable, squishy yellow gummy-like Wingman?
For starters, Lil’ Bro can dash to the spike site from a considerable distance to plant the spike. While you and your teammates risk your lives entering the site to plant the spike, Wingman does it effortlessly from afar, and with a smile.
This allows you to remain safely outside the planting zone while Wingman handles the task for you. Wingman even anticipates the path and climbs to the necessary spots to plant the Spike in elevated locations. This grants players a significant advantage, enabling them to plant in specific places without needing to be physically present.
Adding to the distance advantage, if the enemy shoots down Wingman, you can immediately retrieve it (though this might put you in danger) and reuse it after a 10-second cooldown. This not only allows you to restart the planting process but also enables you to utilize Wingman for various purposes.
Even after planting the spike, you can retrieve Wingman and use it to stun or locate enemies in post-plant situations. This feature makes Wingman notably more effective than other initiators such as Skye or Breach.
Interestingly, Wingman is not an ultimate or signature ability; it’s a common ability that you can purchase for 300 credits in-game. This means you can have Lil’ Bro available in every round, whether for planting or defusing situations. So, for just 300 credits, you get an unlimited supply of Wingman every round if you consider using the passive. Sounds pretty fair, doesn’t it?
Engage in Combat While Planting or Defusing the Spike as Wingman
One of the main advantages of using Wingman is how it allows you to focus on fighting opponents instead of worrying about planting the Spike. Delegate that tedious but crucial task to Wingman, freeing up your time to keep enemies at bay. Voila, you’ve completed the Spike plant while actively engaging in combat.
While I understand that Gekko’s appeal lies in his teammates assisting him with tasks, imagine a game of planting and defusing where a team doesn’t have to cover or worry about one of their players planting or defusing. If Gekko is on the opposing team, you must always be vigilant of fighting angles and prevent the plant or defuse from occurring.
While Wingman can take damage from area-of-effect (AOE) abilities, you can still retrieve it and reuse it. If Wingman is defusing a spike, it triggers a half-defuse if not dealt with early. This feature makes your defusal task a bit easier, as you can confuse enemies with fake defusals or half-defusals without risking your life. Such advantages make Wingman a reliable ally in a 5v5 shooter like Valorant.
A Summary of Wingman’s Impact in VCT Masters 2024
Having discussed the significant advantage Wingman offers, let’s delve into how professional players, as seen in the Valorant pros crosshairs list, have been utilizing Gekko in VCT Masters Madrid 2024.
After studying every region during the VCT kickoff, I’ve observed that most teams play Gekko at least once every two maps. This isn’t merely a coincidence or player preference. If you examine the trend, the pick-to-win rate is high when Gekko is selected, and much of this credit goes to Wingman.
On several occasions, the enemy team became distracted by Wingman, providing you with an unfair advantage during plant or defuse scenarios. PRX ran Gekko on Ascent in a match against T1. Despite PRX being known for their aggressive playstyle, they used Wingman to plant the spike, distracting the enemy Jett in a clutch situation.
In a chaotic battle with Viper smokes, Harbor walls, or various other abilities cluttering the map, Wingman can easily navigate through and plant without requiring you to enter the site. This tactic has been utilized by numerous teams in the VCT, including Sentinels’ Sacy during the lower-bracket finals on March 23.
Wingman also enables you to engage in fights without worrying about the spike. Even in scenarios where the enemy team must choose between delaying plants or engaging enemies, they often end up confused. It also provides players with the opportunity to reposition while the plant is in progress. As demonstrated by PRX something, watch Wingman plant the spike in a tense 2v1 against Sentinels.
In a high-pressure match on the road to Masters Madrid, Sentinels utilized Lil’ Bro against NRG on the Sunset map, capitalizing on a site using the Wingman plant strategy.
In the video from the lower-bracket finals below, Wingman assumes control of the defuse while Sentinels hold angles against the lone player from PRX in that round. This led to SEN securing a free defuse during the game.
It’s Time to Nerf the Wingman in Valorant
The core concept behind Gekko’s kit revolves around his ability to utilize his companions, with Wingman being a prominent one. Wingman is renowned for its versatility, whether it’s planting or defusing the spike or stunning enemies.
However, to balance its impact, reducing the time it takes to retrieve a downed Wingman or lowering its health could be simple solutions. The half-defuse mechanic could also be removed from Wingman’s kit to maintain balanced retakes, as the current Valorant meta heavily relies on it. Furthermore, increasing the cost could force players to choose between Lil’ Bro and superior weapons.
What are your thoughts on Wingman’s abilities in Valorant? Do you believe it is overpowered and warrants a nerf? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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