How to Play Gekko in Valorant: Mastering Abilities, Tips, Tricks & More

Valorant’s youngest initiator agent, Gekko, stands out as unconventional, especially considering the prevailing dominance of duelists upon his release. He emerged as the ideal counter to thwart aggressive duelist strategies, effectively preventing reckless angle peeking round after round. Among the roster of Valorant agents, Gekko boasts a distinct approach that can yield significant impact on specific maps. Let’s delve into Gekko in Valorant, exploring his abilities, gameplay strategies, and essential tips and tricks without delay.

Understanding Gekko’s Abilities in Valorant

Globules (Passive)

After usage or a specified duration, Gekko’s pets transform into a ball. Gekko has the ability to retrieve these balls and revive his pets for subsequent use. Once the pets are restored, they become usable again after a 10-second interval. This unique capability establishes Gekko as one of the most distinctive utility or support-oriented characters in Valorant.

Wingman (Q)

Deploy the Wingman by throwing it in a specified direction. The Wingman navigates through the environment, bouncing off walls or structures. Upon detecting an enemy, it accelerates its pace. After covering a certain distance and nearing the enemy, the Wingman executes a stun on the target.

• Charge – 1
• Credit cost – 300
• Duration – 5 seconds (without spike) / 2.5 stun
• HP – 80
• Cooldown – 10 seconds (affected by Globules)

Additionally, if you possess the spike, utilizing the alternate fire button enables Wingman to perform spike planting or defusal tasks on your behalf. This feature solidifies Gekko’s reliability for Spike-related objectives in Valorant.

Moshpit (C)

To utilize Mosh effectively, throw it toward the ground. Upon impact, Mosh detonates, generating a toxic pit that inflicts significant damage over time to anyone within its vicinity. Eventually, the poison pit reaches a critical point and erupts, resulting in the demise of individuals within its confines. Even enemies with full health risk succumbing if positioned at the pit’s epicenter.

• Charge – 1
• Credit cost – 250
• Duration – 3 seconds
• Damage – 10 damage per second for 3 seconds, followed by 25-50 damage per tick.

Dizzy (E)

Gekko propels Dizzy into the air, enabling Dizzy to discharge blue goo at sighted enemies, causing temporary blindness. However, this blindness doesn’t impede the affected enemies’ peripheral vision. Although Dizzy’s ability serves as a useful flash, it may not rival the effectiveness of flashes from agents like Breach or Phoenix.

• Charge – 1
• Credit cost – Free
• Duration – 0.5 seconds launch/ 2.5 seconds on air/ 1 second blind
• HP – 20
• Cooldown – 10 seconds (affected by Globules)

Thrash (X)

Upon activation, Thrash surges forward, swiftly maneuvering around to provide essential intel to Gekko. While in motion, Thrash can leap onto an area and detonate, disarming enemies within its vicinity and impeding their movement with a slowdown effect. This distinctive capability positions Gekko as the second agent in Valorant capable of fully incapacitating adversaries.

• Ult point – 7
• Duration – 0.6 seconds charge time/ 6 seconds roaming time/ 6 seconds detain time
• Hp – 200
• Cooldown – 10 seconds (affected by Globules)

Playing Gekko in Valorant: Tips & Tricks

Gekko Gameplay Role and Style

Gekko stands out as a valuable addition to the diverse array of initiators in Valorant. Unlike many initiators primarily focused on enemy location or flashing capabilities, Gekko offers a broader range of skills. His toolkit encompasses abilities for flashing, locating, stunning, and disarming opponents, all facilitated by the assistance of his Wingman.

One standout feature is Gekko’s ability to plant or defuse the spike amid a gunfight, enhancing his utility on both attack and defense. The presence of his Wingman adds a unique dimension to Gekko’s gameplay, granting additional flexibility.

In playing Gekko, adopting an aggressive and proactive approach proves effective. Leveraging his utilities early allows for a swift transition to firearms. Additionally, Gekko’s passive ability enables the retrieval and reuse of abilities, ensuring continuous utility. Utilizing the globules strategically becomes essential, ensuring prudent use of abilities without regretting their deployment.

Ideal Maps and Agents to Pair with Gekko

Key Takeaway:

Top maps for Gekko – Bind, Split, Breeze
Top agents for Gekko – Harbor, Sage, Deadlock, Raze, Sova, Viper

While Initiators generally offer adaptability across various maps, specific agents may excel more on certain maps for heightened effectiveness. Gekko stands out as a versatile initiator particularly well-suited for select maps.

Gekko’s ability to swiftly advance with his tools and retrieve them for reuse makes him a fitting choice for maps like Bind and Split in Valorant. On these maps, Gekko can initiate early movements using Dizzy and Wingman, retracting them swiftly for quick rotations or further advances. The recent update on Breeze also showcases synergy with Gekko, given his advantageous spike plant or defusal abilities.

Gekko proves to be a valuable addition to any Valorant team composition. Primarily, Harbor stands out as an ideal partner for Gekko, offering cover using various utilities while Gekko’s Wingman plants or defuses the spike. Additionally, agents like Sage, Deadlock, Raze, Sova, and Viper can complement Gekko effectively.

Sage and Deadlock contribute slow effects with their abilities, such as orbs or gravnet, while Gekko utilizes Moshpit to impair enemies. Furthermore, Gekko can adopt a role focused on slowing or stunning adversaries, allowing allies like Raze, Sova, and Viper to capitalize on these effects. Sage and Viper can also provide cover during spike plant or defusal scenarios, enhancing Gekko’s strategic capabilities.

Best Tips & Tricks for Gekko’s Abilities

As Gekko differs from traditional initiators in Valorant, it’s crucial to employ your utilities before advancing. Each of Gekko’s abilities serves distinct purposes, aiding the team in various ways. Taking initiative and initiating the execution can significantly benefit your team’s strategy.

• Delay Enemies on Defense: When defending, prioritize staying alive for as long as possible. Retaking a site with Gekko is advantageous. Use your moshpit to impede enemy progress upon entering the site. If adversaries commence planting the spike, deploy the moshpit to disrupt or delay their efforts. Once the spike is planted, coordinate with teammates and direct Wingman to defuse it. This diversion will draw the enemy’s attention towards the defusal process. If engagement continues, Wingman will handle the defusing. It’s important to note that Wingman will perish if none of your allies are alive.

• Strategically Deploy Wingman for Planting/Defusing: Gekko’s capability to use one of his utilities for planting or defusing the spike significantly enhances his utility in Valorant. Utilize the Wingman whenever an opportunity arises. Typically, when the attacking team plants or defuses the spike, they face a disadvantage due to the reduced firepower aimed at enemies. With Wingman managing that aspect, it ensures a balanced fight in terms of numbers.

• Employ Wingman as Bait or Distraction: In scenarios where you lack adequate cover for planting or defusing, consider using the Wingman as bait. Note that the Wingman’s movement sounds remain consistent whether carrying the spike or not. Exploit this similarity to confuse enemies, potentially luring them out of hiding. After the Wingman is eliminated, retrieve it to utilize for planting or defusing. Additionally, triggering the spike sound during the defusal process can disrupt enemy post-plant positions or setups. Ensure to deploy the Wingman from a covered position to avoid being detected and eliminated.

• Mastering Dizzy’s Usage: Dizzy serves as a valuable utility for Gekko. Its effective use can yield significant advantages. Although it may not be a conventional flash ability, its swiftness is noteworthy. For optimal usage, throw Dizzy higher into the sky to extend its airtime. The increased duration allows Dizzy to affect more targets with its blinding effect. Aim to throw it over walls or vents to ensure protection while maximizing its effectiveness.

• Coordination with Duelists: When deploying Dizzy early, coordinate with your duelists to capitalize on the situation. Anticipating the enemy’s attempt to neutralize Dizzy by shooting it down, have your duelist ready to take advantage of the distraction. Their early peek can secure a straightforward elimination while the enemy is preoccupied. Additionally, if no enemies are present, utilize your passive ability to retrieve Dizzy for subsequent use.

• Maximize Ability Reusability with the Passive: Gekko’s passive ability allows for the retrieval of his deployed utilities, except for the moshpit. Leverage this unique aspect to your advantage. Aim to toss your abilities nearer to your position so that they can be easily reclaimed after deployment. Particularly with Thrash used for scouting, ensure to pull it closer afterward for quick recovery and reuse.

Gekko in Valorant: Weakness and Countering Strategies

• In Valorant, initiators like Gekko face a significant threat from opponents like Kay/o. Kay/o’s ability to nullify utilities, particularly with an early use of abilities like ZERO/POINT or NULL/CMD, can disrupt Gekko’s strategies.

• Controllers such as Brimstone or Astra pose challenges for Gekko’s abilities. Their smokes and time-delaying utilities can hinder Gekko from effectively deploying Wingman or Thrash. Astra, in particular, can disrupt Gekko’s strategies by manipulating Wingman during planting or defusing to cause delays.

• Gekko’s effectiveness can be limited on maps like Sunset or Ascent due to their confined spaces and numerous hiding spots. Opting for a different initiator might be more advantageous in such settings, as Gekko may struggle to fully utilize his abilities in these cramped environments.

• Lastly, Gekko can struggle against operator agents due to the nature of his abilities, which excel in close combat. Unlike agents like Skye or Kay/o who can peek efficiently using their utilities, Gekko should maintain distance in engagements against long-range specialists like Skye or Kay/o.

Gekko’s Origin, Voice Actor, and Story in Valorant

Gekko hails from the streets of East LA, California, where his reputation as a talented street artist preceded his journey into Valorant. Despite the rough environment he emerged from, Gekko embodies a protective and positive demeanor, evident in his interactions with allies and voice lines.

Alejandro Antonio Ruiz, the voice behind Street Fighter 6, lends his voice to Gekko. As a resident of the Los Angeles suburbs, Ruiz brings a seamless authenticity to fellow LA native Gekko, showcasing his talents not only in Valorant but also in The Callisto Protocol.