We continue with our weekly Valorant Agent Guide series and this time it's Astra's turn. Valorant's latest agent is really a game-changer, and we look forward to more people playing her.
Astra is the 15th agent in Valorant and she's labeled as Controller. She's also one of the most complex agents to use because each of her abilities requires setup to be efficient. Without further ado, let's look at Astra's abilities and what she's all about.
Astra Abilities Guide: Astral Form
Unlike any other agent in Valorant, Astra has to set up each of her abilities on the map before being able to use them. This makes her very tactical but hard to respond to sudden threats. Astral Form is accessed freely and allows you to deploy "Stars", a currency unique to Astra. Instead of buying abilities like other agents, she can only purchase stars. Each round Astra will start with two stars and any extra will cost 200 credits. You can hold a maximum of five stars. Now, let's move onto her actual abilities.
Astra Abilities Guide: Gravity Well
ACTIVATE 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 vulnerable.
Astra's first ability is Gravity Well. It functions as a tiny black hole, as once activated it'll pull nearby enemies toward it. It's a great way to get enemies out of cover and shoot them down. Just make sure you or a teammate aren't nearby as it affects all players, not just foes. It'll also slow down enemy abilities such as Boom Bot, Owl drone, and others. In addition, it also places the vulnerable debuff on affected enemies, causing them to take twice the damage.
Astra Abilities Guide: Nova Pulse
ACTIVATE a Star to detonate a Nova Pulse. The Nova Pulse charges briefly then strikes, concussing all players in its area.
Pulse Nova is Astra's most straight-forward ability. Once activated it'll daze all enemies in the area, while also slowing down utilities. It's also has a brief flash effect, but the dazing aftermath is what it's all about. If you manage to surprise an enemy with it the kill should be secured.
Astra Abilities Guide: Nebula/Dissipate
ACTIVATE a Star to transform it into a Nebula (smoke). USE (F) a Star to Dissipate it, returning the Star to be placed in a new location after a delay. Dissipate briefly forms a fake Nebula at the Star’s location before returning.
Astra's third ability combines two in one: a smoke and the option to refund a star for the round. If you just activate a star with Nebula, you'll get long-lasting smoke. If you decide to return the star with Dissipate, the smoke will still briefly activate but then suddenly disappear. This is still useful if you just want to pass through a point and not waste a star. To use the refunded star, you'll have to wait 8 seconds.
Astra Abilities Guide: Cosmic Divide
When Cosmic Divide is charged, use SECONDARY FIRE in Astral Form to select a point, then PRIMARY FIRE to select two locations. An infinite Cosmic Divide connects the two points you select. Cosmic Divide blocks bullets and heavily dampens audio.
Cosmic Divide is Astra's ultimate ability, and it can really be a round-changer. Access Astral Form and use secondary fire to create a huge wall that blocks enemy fire but not most abilities. The fact that it also dampens sound is a factor too since enemies on the other side of the wall won't be able to get an idea of what your team is doing.
Astra Strategy
As it became clear from the abilities above, Astra just functions differently than any other agent in Valorant. She utilizes stars to plan the round and the more in-game knowledge you have the more efficient you'll be. Astra can use the same ability as many times as she wants so in theory, she can provide the team with 5 clouds of smoke over the course of a round. Whether that's the best course of action is up for discussion. Each of her abilities allows her to isolate parts of the map or bait enemies into a trap.
Astra Tips and Tricks
- Astra's abilities are definitely not one-sided as each of them can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some tips to consider:
- You can place a couple of stars and then Dissipate them to bypass a certain point without wasting anything.
- Gravity Well is best used under windows and ledges where you know the enemy will be coming from.
- Combine Gravity well with Molotov-like abilities for maximum effect.
- Cosmic Divide won't block your own abilities so use that to your advantage.
- If you want to use five smokes, consider that there's a 14-second cooldown after placing the first two.
- Refunded stars will only be kept until the end of the round so make sure you use them.
- You can use Cosmic Divide to mask the use of teleporters and totally surprise your enemies.
- Note that when using Astral Form you'll be left completely vulnerable in the real world. Have a teammate watch over you or be quick about it.
Astra offers a lot to veteran players in Valorant as she requires more knowledge when compared to some of the other agents. She's an absolute beast in defense and especially good in post-plant scenarios. Her abilities can be used in different ways and you'll often end up playing mind-games with your enemies. Astra is one of the most fun agents to play and we can't recommend her enough. Have you already tried her out? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter!
- READ MORE: Valorant: HRTF Explained
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