VALORANT is ringing in the new year with the arrival of a brand-new agent — Tejo. A Colombian intelligence operative, Tejo is a highly skilled military veteran turned consultant. With his explosive abilities and tactical playstyle, he promises to bring a fresh layer of strategy and aggression to the game. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Tejo, including his abilities, backstory, and what he could bring to the competitive scene.

Tejo’s Arrival and Release Date

Tejo officially joined the VALORANT roster on January 8, 2024, by appearing on Act 1 of the 2025 Season. He’ll be available for immediate play and can be unlocked via a ten-tier agent contract that players can progress through. This contract will feature unique cosmetics, such as sprays, player cards, and weapon skin. You can Top Up Valorant Points which can be used to upgrade your weapon skins and even unlock new agents.

Who is Tejo?

Tejo is a seasoned Colombian intelligence operative and military veteran. After his time in the military, he transitioned into consulting, using his wealth of experience to assist organizations with strategic operations. His codename, "Tejo," is a nod to a traditional Colombian game of the same name, where players throw heavy metal discs at targets filled with explosives — a fitting reference to his explosive abilities in the game.

Visually, Tejo is characterized by his stylish yellow jacket, black undershirt, and gold belt, completing the look with slicked-back hair and bright sunglasses. A short teaser clip introduced his character in true cool fashion — sipping on Colombian coffee while an alarm blares, only to pick up a Sheriff and dive out of a hatch, hinting at his relaxed yet deadly demeanor.

What Type of Agent is Tejo?

Tejo is classified as an Initiator agent. This aligns with his abilities, which are designed to force enemies out of key positions and gather intel for his team. However, due to his potential to engage in direct combat, Tejo could also play a more aggressive role, acting like a Duelist in some situations.

As an Initiator, Tejo will complement his teammates by creating opportunities for pushes, revealing enemy positions, and controlling space with his powerful utilities. His explosive kit also makes him a dangerous threat who can gather information and contribute to elimination.

Tejo’s Abilities

Tejo’s abilities are centered around his unique explosive skillset, designed to disrupt enemies while providing valuable intel. Here’s a breakdown of what each ability can do:

Ability 1: Special Delivery

Tejo equips a sticky grenade that can be thrown at any surface. Upon impact, it sticks to the surface and explodes, concussing any enemies within range. Players can also use an alternate fire to launch the grenade with a single bounce, making it easier to hit more elusive targets or corner enemies.

Ability 2: Stealth Drone

Tejo deploys a stealth drone that he can directly control. Once launched, he can trigger a pulse that Suppresses and Reveals any enemies in its line of sight. The suppression effect makes it harder for enemies to use abilities to counter his team, providing a significant tactical advantage.

Ability 3: Guided Salvo

This ability allows Tejo to use an AR targeting system to mark up to two locations on the map. With a quick press of the fire button, he launches missiles that autonomously navigate to these spots and detonate on impact. These missiles offer powerful zoning and can force enemies to relocate or suffer significant damage.

Ultimate: Armageddon

Tejo’s ultimate ability is a devastating tactical strike that targets a specific path on the map. Players can select an origin and endpoint, and once activated, a series of explosions tear through the selected area. With the ability to cancel the strike during targeting, Tejo can adapt his approach to the changing battlefield.

Tejo’s Contract Cosmetics

As with every new agent, Tejo comes with his own set of cosmetics available through his agent contract. Here’s a quick look at what players can unlock:

Tier 1: Spray - Ordinance Request

Tier 2: Player Card - VALORANT Tejo

Tier 3: Title - On Target

Tier 4: Spray - Heat Wave

Tier 5: Kingdom Credits - 2000

Tier 6: Gun Buddy - Misilito

Tier 7: Spray - Tejo Spray

Tier 8: Title - Hermano

Tier 9: Player Card - Collateral

Tier 10: Sidearm (Shorty) - Hard Bargain

How Will Tejo Impact the Meta?

Tejo’s kit seems poised to change the landscape of VALORANT's tactical gameplay. As an initiator with explosive potential, he brings a unique combination of crowd control and direct combat. The Stealth Drone offers valuable information and control, while the Guided Salvo missiles and Armageddon ultimately allow Tejo to exert pressure and disrupt enemy formations from a distance. His combination of intelligence-gathering and aggressive utility makes him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

However, Tejo's explosiveness does come with some counters. Movement-based agents like Jett, Raze, and Omen will likely be strong picks against him due to their ability to quickly dodge or reposition to avoid his utility. Agents who can heal or sustain themselves, like Phoenix, Reyna, and Sage, will also have an edge, as they can recover from the damage dealt by Tejo’s explosive kit. In general, Tejo’s abilities may struggle against well-timed utility that blocks his missiles, such as Vyse’s walls or Sage’s barriers. To take full advantage of their abilities or to fight them effectively, you'll have to adjust your strategy and Buy Valorant Points to spend on Agent Contracts or unlock Agents now!

Conclusion

Overall, Tejo is set to make an explosive impact on VALORANT, providing teams with new ways to initiate pushes, gather intel, and apply pressure. Tejo’s explosive potential ensures that he’ll be a thrilling agent to master in the months ahead. As with any new agent, time will tell how well he fits into the ever-evolving meta of VALORANT.