It’s that annual period once again–when I feel a wave of apprehension each time I enter the agent selection screen. Not out of anxiety, but because I anticipate what’s going to occur: at least one of my teammates is likely to lock in the latest VALORANT agent and then struggle through the entire match, showing no signs of remorse.

«But Veto is too powerful, right?» my skilled gaming partner remarked, noticing my unease. «Maybe for you,» I replied. «But for everyone else? Not exactly.»

I must admit–after his introduction at the VCT Champions finals, I was among the many VALORANT enthusiasts who believed Veto would require an immediate adjustment post-launch. However, after engaging with him in ranked matches, I realized how mistaken I had been.

Before Veto enthusiasts come at me, let me explain my stance: He’s not exactly a formidable sentinel like Vyse or Cypher, nor is he a true duelist like Chamber. At his best, he seems powerful only in the hands of an adept player who can exploit his «gunplay first» design. Here’s why.

First, his signature ability, the Interceptor, is straightforward to detect and destroy. It’s loud and conspicuous, offering no stealth advantage. Even if he positions it cleverly–like above an entryway–opponents can simply wait for its eight-second duration to expire. Veto needs to execute his moves with perfect timing and precision, while foes must be particularly shortsighted for his Interceptor to deliver the «broken» performance players fear.

Veto’s Chokehold trap has its merits with its «seizing» feature, although it can typically be easily evaded or destroyed. I appreciate his Crosscut ability, allowing him to engage in risky gunfights or claim unexpected high ground. His range enables significant movement, simplifying rotations at times. However, it’s not excessively game-changing. It’s slower than Chamber’s Rendezvous, which is not only rechargeable but also instant.

His ultimate ability, however, stands out as his most significant asset. Evolution allows Veto to set aside his abilities and concentrate purely on his aim, augmented by self-healing and combat stim boosts. It’s somewhat ironic for an agent designed for «precise gunplay,» but given his limited site-anchoring features, we can concede this much for his ultimate.

Having examined his abilities, let’s consider Veto under the control of a defensive VALORANT player with an average skill set, who believes they know the ins and outs of the agent. What’s your prediction for the outcome?

It’s predictable that the player will struggle to grasp Veto’s function. I’ve encountered numerous novice Veto «mains» who fail to time their Interceptor, carelessly place their traps, set up ineffective teleports, and often save their ultimate for «the perfect moment.» Furthermore, many possess poor aiming skills. It resembles the situation with Chamber: effective use of gunplay-focused agents requires players with solid mechanics. Not everyone can be duelists or pseudo-duelists.

I genuinely don’t think Veto requires any nerf–especially following the infamous Patch 11.08 that weakened nearly every agent’s abilities in VALORANT. The existing utility is insufficient to counter him. Unless positioned in the hands of an aggressive, skilled player, what is Veto truly capable of? I would prefer a Cypher or Vyse securing a site for me with their traps and control abilities–even after their severe nerfs. The only scenario where Veto might seem overpowered is in lower tiers, where opponents may not know how to counter his abilities or aim effectively.

«Let them play however they want. We’ll adjust,» my teammate replied–a player who racked up 25+ kills, achieved two Aces, and was named MVP in his inaugural game with Veto. Perhaps minor reductions to his ultimate’s healing and teleport range wouldn’t hurt, but that’s about it.

In skilled hands, Veto has the potential to excel. However, in VALORANT ranked matches, «skilled hands» are a rare find, especially in mid-tier games, where most players believe they surpass everyone else in understanding. Perhaps the issue isn’t with Veto but rather our eagerness to chase the new and shiny without fully understanding how to utilize it.