Waylay is set to shake up the Duelist role in VALORANT, bringing a unique combination of mobility and enemy disruption. But how does she compare to existing Duelists like Jett, Neon, Raze, Yoru, and Reyna? Let’s break it down.
Waylay vs. Jett – The Mobility Showdown
Jett has long been the go-to Duelist for fast movement and aggressive play, but Waylay introduces a different type of mobility.
- Jett’s dashes are instant and allow immediate repositioning, making her better for dodging gunfire.
- Waylay’s movement is more strategic, requiring careful placement of her beacon (Refract) to escape effectively.
- Unlike Jett, Waylay’s movement makes her briefly invulnerable, meaning she can reposition safely without taking damage—something Jett can’t do.
- However, Jett still dominates when it comes to raw offensive ability, with her Blade Storm ultimate being far deadlier than Waylay’s supportive Convergent Paths ultimate.
🔹 Who’s better? If you want instant mobility and aggressive fragging, Jett is better. But if you prefer calculated movement and disrupting enemies with debuffs, Waylay is the smarter pick.
Waylay vs. Neon – Speed vs. Control
Neon is the fastest agent in VALORANT, known for her sprint and slide mechanics. But while both Neon and Waylay specialize in speed, they play very differently.
- Neon can sprint endlessly (as long as her energy bar allows), making her ideal for rotations and fast site takes.
- Waylay’s Light Speed dash is more controlled, allowing for quick repositioning but with cooldown limitations.
- Neon’s Fast Lane walls provide cover when rushing in, while Waylay slows enemies (Hindering debuff) instead of protecting herself.
- In a fight, Neon’s Overdrive (laser ultimate) gives her insane firepower, whereas Waylay’s ultimate is more about slowing opponents rather than killing them.
🔹 Who’s better? Neon is the better choice for all-out speed and aggressive site entry. Waylay offers more controlled movement and tactical advantages by slowing enemies rather than outpacing them.
Waylay vs. Raze – Mobility vs. Explosives
While Waylay focuses on movement and enemy disruption, Raze is all about explosives and raw damage.
- Raze’s Blast Packs allow for insane vertical movement, whereas Waylay’s dashes keep her more grounded.
- Waylay can reposition safely using Refract, while Raze risks getting caught mid-air if she mistimes a Blast Pack jump.
- Raze’s grenades and rocket launcher force enemies out of positions, while Waylay slows them down and disrupts their movements instead of dealing damage.
🔹 Who’s better? Raze is the better pick for high damage and aggressive play, but Waylay can be a better choice for strategic map control and safe repositioning.
Waylay vs. Yoru – Mind Games & Utility
Yoru and Waylay are both deceptive Duelists, but they approach deception in very different ways.
- Yoru’s teleport is great for faking plays and flanking, whereas Waylay’s beacon (Refract) is more predictable since opponents can see where she might teleport back to.
- Yoru’s flashes and decoys allow him to create distractions, while Waylay focuses more on controlling enemies with movement slows.
- Waylay’s dashes make her hard to hit, but Yoru’s ability to become fully invisible gives him an even bigger advantage in sneaking behind enemy lines.
🔹 Who’s better? If you like mind games and sneaky flanks, Yoru is the better choice. If you prefer quick movement and slowing enemies to take control of fights, Waylay is the better pick.
Waylay vs. Reyna – The 1vX Duelist Battle
Reyna is a self-sustaining Duelist, built for winning isolated fights, while Waylay is more about supporting her team with movement-based disruption.
- Reyna thrives on getting kills—without them, she’s weak. Waylay doesn’t rely on frags as much.
- Waylay’s Hindering debuff can slow Reyna’s fire rate, making her easier to fight, but if Reyna lands a kill, she can dismiss away before Waylay can do anything.
- Waylay has better movement options, but Reyna has self-healing, which allows her to sustain fights better.
🔹 Who’s better? If you love clutch situations and snowballing fights, Reyna is better. If you prefer movement-based disruption and don’t want to rely on kills for impact, Waylay is the better option.
Final Verdict: Is Waylay a Good Pick for the Meta?
Where Waylay Will Shine:
- Strong against aggressive Duelists like Jett, Neon, and Reyna (because of her movement slow).
- Great for fast repositioning without being too reckless.
- Useful in team-based strategies, where slowing enemies can help execute plays.
Where Waylay Might Struggle:
- Against Duelists with high damage output, like Raze and Reyna.
- If she mistimes her Refract ability and dashes into danger.
- In high-ranked play, where movement prediction is more precise.
Should You Play Waylay?
Waylay brings a fresh take on the Duelist role, combining high mobility, temporary invulnerability, and an enemy-slowing debuff.
Pick Waylay if you enjoy:
Fast repositioning without taking damage
Disrupting enemies with movement slows
A Duelist that can support teammates instead of just fragging
Avoid Waylay if you prefer:
High damage Duelists like Raze or Reyna
Unpredictable teleportation-based flanks like Yoru
Instant movement like Jett’s dash instead of delayed repositioning