Waylay is the twenty-seventh agent in the popular tactical shooter Valorant by Riot Games. His release feels like a return to the game's meta when abilities played a greater role in match outcomes than AIM. In this guide, we will analyze the latest duelist introduced in the game, break down his abilities, and provide tips to enhance your effectiveness when playing as or countering him.

In this guide:

• Breaking Through Impenetrable Defense
• Waylay’s Unique Trait
• Waylay’s Abilities and Usage Tips
• Best Maps for Waylay
• Synergy with Other Agents
• Pro Player Tricks
• Conclusion

Become Elusive

Waylay is a duelist who manipulates speed with his abilities. Besides using Lightspeed (Q) to move quickly, he also possesses Saturate (C) and Convergent Paths (X), which affect mobility by either slowing enemies or boosting his own speed when using his ultimate.

Defensive Tips:

• Use Saturate (C) before enemies push a position to reduce their movement speed and fire rate.
• Lightspeed (Q) allows you to quickly take advantageous positions after the barrier drops. If they are risky, activate Refract (E) beforehand to return to safety if needed.
• Combine Saturate (C) with Lightspeed (Q) to slow enemies and make weapon switching harder for them. This is especially useful against players planting the Spike.
• Use abilities to take unexpected positions. Refract (E) lets you retreat safely if your engagement fails.
• Be the first entry during retakes. Your abilities can distract enemies, making it easier for your team to take control.
• Convergent Paths (X) has a large area of effect and no vertical limitations. Save your ultimate for site retakes or to slow down attacking enemies.

Attacking Tips:

• Play alongside an initiator, preferably one who can blind enemies, as one of Waylay’s weaknesses as a duelist is the lack of a flash.
• Lightspeed (Q) allows for a quick site entry and positioning. Activate Refract (E) in a safe spot before pushing to ensure a way back.
• Pair Saturate (C) with damage-dealing abilities from agents like Viper, Killjoy, or Brimstone to force enemies out of cover.
• Convergent Paths (X) can be used to control an entire site, making it much easier to plant the Spike.
• Don’t be afraid to take risks and make unconventional plays, but always coordinate with your team.

Waylay’s Unique Trait

Waylay’s key feature is the Hinder mechanic, which slows enemy movement, weapon switching, and fire rate. Combined with his speed-enhancing abilities, this creates a unique playstyle.

Waylay’s Abilities and Usage Tips

Saturate

Saturate (C) is a grenade-like ability that activates instantly upon hitting the ground, applying Hinder to slow enemies.

Tips:

• Saturate (C) affects both enemies and teammates, so use it carefully.
• The throw mechanic is similar to Phoenix’s Hot Hands (Q), meaning existing lineups from Phoenix may work for Waylay.
• Under Hinder, fall damage is negated.
• Enemies affected by Hinder have a unique visual effect, making it easier to confirm hits.
• Even small obstacles, like steps, can block Saturate (C) from applying its effect.

Lightspeed

Lightspeed (Q) is a dash similar to Jett’s, but allows two consecutive dashes. The alternate fire lets you use only one dash instead of two.

Tips:

• Left-click (LMB) executes two dashes in a row; right-click (RMB) performs just one.
• The dash follows the direction the agent is facing.
• Use Lightspeed (Q) to engage enemies, but first apply Saturate (C) to slow them down and reduce their fire rate, increasing your chances of winning the fight.
• Height restrictions exist: you cannot dash upward twice in succession.
• After using Lightspeed (Q), Waylay becomes immune to fall damage.
• Use it to take aggressive positions early or push through barriers when combined with a stun or flash.
• Initiate site takes or retakes first with a double dash to distract enemies, creating space for your team.

Refract

Refract (E) places a marker at Waylay’s current location, allowing him to return to it within eight seconds by pressing the ability again.

Tips:

• Refract (E) resets after two kills in a round.
• If not activated within eight seconds, the ability disappears, and Waylay won’t return to the marker.
• Refract (E) searches for the fastest path back to the set location, taking between 0.5 to 3 seconds.
• Activating Refract (E) lets Waylay pass through enemy abilities like Sage’s wall, but not destructible objects like Ascent’s doors.
• Upon reactivation, Waylay becomes instantly invulnerable until fully returned, allowing him to dodge bullets mid-fight.
• Place Refract (E) in safe locations before risky plays to ensure an escape route.
• While returning, Waylay is intangible, meaning he can avoid abilities like Raze’s Showstopper or Iso’s ultimate.
• Enemies will see a ghostly trail leading to Waylay’s return point, revealing his location.

Convergent Paths

Convergent Paths (X) is Waylay’s ultimate, creating a powerful prismatic explosion that applies Hinder to all enemies in range while giving Waylay a speed boost.

Tips:

• The ability also applies Hinder to allies, so communicate before using it.
• Hinder from Convergent Paths (X) lasts longer than Saturate (C).

Best Maps for Waylay

Since Lightspeed (Q) temporarily makes Waylay an easy target, he requires cover or team support (flashes or stuns). Cover-rich maps, like Icebox, allow better use of his abilities, while maps with open spaces, like Haven, make survival more challenging.

Best maps for Waylay:

• Split
• Icebox
• Ascent
• Lotus
• Pearl

We considered only maps in the active pool at the time of writing (V25 Act 2). Overall, Waylay is effective on any map, so choose based on personal preference.

Synergy with Other Agents

Waylay lacks flashes and information-gathering tools. If your duo plays him, we recommend agents that complement his kit:

• Sova
• Breach
• Tejo

Pro Player Tricks

Learning from top players is the fastest way to improve. Here’s gameplay footage of Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukaševičius, a professional duelist from Team Heretics, playing Waylay on Pearl, achieving a 2+ KD and 23 kills.

Conclusion

Waylay introduces a new dynamic to Valorant with his Hinder mechanic, allowing him to control enemy movement speed and disrupt fights. His ability set offers numerous aggressive playstyle options but requires careful decision-making and strong team coordination. He excels on maps with ample cover and narrow chokepoints, where he can maximize his abilities. Mastering Waylay will make you a formidable threat, enabling quick repositioning and creative dominance on the battlefield.