Riot Games has revealed its latest addition to the agent pool in VALORANT by adding Astra, a controller. She’s the fourth controller to enter the game after Brimstone, Omen and Viper.
Astra has her roots in Ghana and was inspired by African Futurism. “To make sure those grounded elements were represented properly we worked with a consultant from Ghana on the details”, said John Goscicki, character designer on VALORANT.
“With Astra, we wanted to make a controller that was thinking about the whole map. Her global presence was there right from the beginning”, added Jordan “Wrekzé Anton, senior game designer.
If the teasers posted by playtesters are anything to go by, playing Astra will be really fun and challenging. Her skill ceiling seems to be through the roof.
Also read: VALORANT: New agent Yoru finally revealed
Astra’s abilities
Leaks had suggested Astra -back then still Agent 15- had the ability to drop and manipulate stars on the map.
X: Cosmic Divide (Astral Form)
This has been confirmed, as the agent enters Astral Form, where she places Stars with your primary fire key. In this Astral Form, players will see a top-down view of the map. While in this form, Astra’s body is vulnerable to enemy fire.
C: Gravity Well
Activates a Star to form a Gravity Well. Players in the area are pulled toward the center before it explodes, making all players still trapped inside “fragile.”
Q: Nova Pulse
Activates a Star to detonate a Nova Pulse. The Nova Pulse charges briefly then strikes, concussing all players in its area.
E: Nebula
Activates a Star to transform it into a Nebula smoke.
F: Dissipate
Use F on a Star to Dissipate it, returning the star to your inventory be placed in a new location after a delay. Dissipate briefly forms a fake smoke (Nebula) at the Star’s location before returning.
Astra will be available to play with the release of Episode 2, Act 2 on March 2.
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Image credit: Riot Games