Riot has officially dropped a massive nerf patch for tejo, and let’s not sugarcoat itthis is easily one of the most severe nerfs to a Valorant agent in recent memory. While Riot’s stated goal is to bring Tejo more in line with other initiators, the extent of these changes might push him entirely out of the meta.
Let’s break down exactly what’s changing, why Riot made these adjustments, and what this means for Tejo’s future in competitive and ranked play.
Source: Thinking Man’s Valorant
Riot’s Philosophy Behind the Nerf
According to Riot, while agents are supposed to shake up the tactical shooter formula, Tejo’s ability to safely deliver impact from long distances on cooldown was creating checkmate scenarios with very little counterplay.
Abilities make Valorant what it is, but we never want to lose sight of the fact that it’s still a tactical shooter first.
Their goal is to force more vulnerability and intention around Tejo’s utilityespecially his rocketsand make his decisions more meaningful mid-round.
Tejo Patch Breakdown What’s Changing?
Here’s a complete list of the nerfs Tejo received in this patch:
Ultimate Cost Increased
- From 8 to 9 points
Not the most impactful change, but still a noticeable bump that slows his tempo and map pressure.
Stealth Drone
- Price increased from 300 to 400 credits
This aligns with Sova’s drone pricing and makes sense given how powerful recon tools are.
Special Delivery
- Price reduced from 300 to 200 credits
A minor buff here, likely to balance out the total cost across his toolkit.
Guided Salvo (Rocket Nerf)
- You now only start with ONE rocket
- The second rocket must be bought for 150 credits
This changes pistol round buys drastically and makes economy management with Tejo more critical.
Rocket Range Reduced
- Radius reduced from 55 to 45 meters
A smaller but notable reduction, particularly on larger maps. Tejo’s value on long-range post-plants may diminish.
Cooldown Removed
- No more rocket cooldown. Period.
This is the biggest nerf. Rockets no longer recharge throughout the round. If you use them early, that’s itno second chance.
What This Means for Tejo’s Pick Rate
The removal of rocket cooldowns alone is enough to completely reshape how Tejo is played, if he’s picked at all.
Just like Sky, whose pick rate tanked when her flashes stopped recharging, Tejo could now suffer a similar fate. Without recharge utility, initiators struggle to maintain round-long impact, especially in slower, default-heavy games.
How to Play Tejo Now (If You Still Do)
- Use one rocket early for space denial or site entry
- Save the second for post-plant or spike denial
- Invest in drone + one rocket + frenzy/light armor on pistol rounds
- Get maximum value from each utility, as you won’t get it back
Will These Changes Affect Pro Play?
The timing of this nerf rollout is critical. The patch is expected to hit two weeks from now, which puts its live date very close to Masters Toronto.
Most believe Riot won’t apply this patch to Masters, since regions like EMEA and Pacific end much later than Americas and China. That means Tejo will likely remain viable until after the international LAN.
Final Thoughts
These nerfs are severe, especially the cooldown removal. For some, this feels like overkill. While Tejo was strong, many feel he wasn’t oppressive enough to warrant this level of gutting.
Could Tejo still find value in niche comps or certain maps? Possibly. But unless his cooldown mechanic is reintroduced in some way, don’t be surprised if his pick rate nosedivesespecially with other initiators like KO getting buffs.
Stay tuned as we track pro reactions, meta shifts, and potential hotfixes.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tejo Nerfs
What was the biggest Tejo nerf?
The biggest nerf is the removal of rocket cooldowns. Once Tejo uses his salvo, it’s gone for the round.
Can Tejo still buy two rockets?
Yes, but now he only starts with one. The second rocket costs 150 credits.
Did Tejo’s ultimate change?
Yes. The cost increased from 8 to 9 points, making it slightly harder to farm across rounds.
Will these nerfs be active during Masters Toronto?
Unlikely. The patch is expected to land just before the event, and not all regions will have finished Stage 1 in time.
Is Tejo still viable in ranked?
Possibly, but only in specific situations. Without cooldowns, his impact is much more limited compared to other initiators.
Which agent should I play instead of Tejo now?
KO, Fade, and Sova are still solid initiators, especially with KO recently receiving buffs.
