Since her launch, Valkyrie used to be one of the most played Legends in Apex. Viper’s daughter, however, could not hold her place on the throne after being thoroughly nerfed through the seasons. The introduction of Evac Towers further made her useless as one of the biggest sources of her strength came from her ultimate which allowed her to reposition her team whenever they were in trouble.
The Winged Avenger has always been a versatile Legend, and Season 22, Shockwave, has given her significant buffs that make her become a top-tier Legend once again. As a Recon Legend, she excels in controlling the battlefield from above, making her an excellent choice for players who love mobility and tactical play. Her recent buffs to VTOL Jets, Missile Swarm, and Skyward Dive have made her aerial dominance even more pronounced, allowing her to reposition, control engagements, and provide team mobility like never before. Let’s break down how to master Valkyrie and soar to new heights.
Mastering VTOL Jets
Valkyrie’s VTOL Jets remain crucial for tactical movement, but Season 22 adds more depth to their use with her minor buffs to acceleration and energy efficiency. Short bursts are key to avoiding enemy fire, keeping her unpredictable and mobile. Switch the jetpack control to “Hold” to manage fuel better, preventing her from becoming an easy target while hovering. As you fly, consider pairing jet use with Missile Swarm for disruption and confusion.
The VTOL Jets have always been one of the best ways to quickly claim the high ground and dominate a particular battlefield. Make sure to use them in short bursts, like we already mentioned, even when getting to the top of taller structures. It is crucial to always remain vigilant and aware of incoming attacks and if you get shot in mid-flight, you will be gunned down in seconds.
Additionally, canceling the VTOL Jets’ landing animation by grabbing ledges is a technique to master. This will enable faster re-engagement, shaving off valuable seconds, particularly in high-pressure situations. Another pro tip is to use the jets tactically to reach high ground for advantageous sniping positions or quick escape routes. Learn how to balance fuel management for extended flight, especially in late-game rotations, when resources are scarce, and positioning is critical.
This season’s small fuel regeneration buff further enhances her ability to maintain altitude for longer, allowing more time to assess the battlefield, escape, or ambush enemies from above. Properly balancing verticality with safety will make Valkyrie a nearly untouchable legend in most scenarios.
Pro Tip: Use short, controlled bursts of flight rather than staying in the air continuously. This conserves fuel and allows for quick escapes if needed. Utilize cover when descending to avoid getting caught in vulnerable positions.
Making the Most of Missile Swarm
The Missile Swarm ability is often underestimated, but with proper use, it can provide tremendous value in zoning enemies or initiating fights. In Shockwave, this ability’s potential has grown through better timing and coordination. Aim the swarm to cover escape routes or force enemies out from behind cover. The slight delay between firing and impact makes prediction and foresight key to maximizing damage and disorientation.
When used defensively, fire the missiles as you’re retreating to cover your escape or delay enemies pushing your team. This is especially useful when coupled with the VTOL Jets for quick repositioning. Offensively, combining the Missile Swarm with legend abilities like Horizon’s Gravity Lift or Caustic’s Gas Traps can disorient enemies, causing them to take unnecessary damage or become exposed to your teammates.
An added layer of strategy comes with the cooldown reduction in Season 22. This allows you to use Missile Swarm more frequently, providing consistent zoning and pressure during extended fights. Mastering the positioning and timing of Missile Swarm will let you influence team fights heavily, controlling the battlefield and forcing enemies into suboptimal positions.
Pro Tip: Don’t just use Missile Swarm for damage—its real strength lies in disorienting enemies. Combine it with your VTOL Jets to quickly reposition, fire your missiles, and fly back to safety. It’s especially useful in close quarters when enemies are bunched up or behind cover.
Skyward Dive: Strategic Relocation
Valkyrie’s Skyward Dive remains one of the most strategic team-based ultimates, with some subtle improvements to its utility in Season 22. The improvements to the ability are what make her much better than the Evac Towers. The has become more responsive, making it faster and easier to use in high-pressure situations. This improvement boosts her team’s mobility, allowing for quicker escapes or repositioning during critical moments in the game. With this tweak, teams using Valkyrie can initiate disengages or rotations with less risk of being caught off-guard, as the responsiveness of the ability ensures smoother take-offs. It strengthens her role as a team-oriented Recon Legend by offering reliable and strategic repositioning tools.
Not only does it allow your team to reposition safely, but the altitude gained during the dive offers a strategic view of the battlefield. Always initiate the ultimate from cover or behind obstacles, as the charge-up sound will alert nearby enemies, putting you at risk.
Furthermore, scouting during Skyward Dive is crucial. Keep an eye out for third parties or enemy squads camping in advantageous locations. When in the air, constantly scan for potential threats or safe areas to land. Using this intel can help your team make better rotational decisions in ranked games, especially as you approach the final circles where positioning is everything.
Remember, you do not have to use the Skyward Dive with your team at all times. You can use it yourself to get in the air and do a quick scan of the area to mark out potential enemies. Not only do you have a better view of enemy locations but Valk’s passive will pinpoint exactly where enemies are located.
Pro Tip: Deploy Skyward Dive aggressively to get the drop on opponents. Land your team behind or above enemies for a surprise attack, and immediately engage before they have time to react. Be wary of mid-air sniping or teams shooting down your squad as you land. Combining the intel-gathering aspects with tactical deployment can easily turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Fly and Gun Tactics
Valkyrie’s Fly and Gun playstyle emphasizes mobility and precision in combat, turning her agility into a lethal advantage. Unlike other legends, Valkyrie can use her VTOL Jets to gain quick bursts of height or lateral movement, making her hard to pin down during intense close-range fights. Pair her with high-rate-of-fire weapons like SMGs or shotguns to maximize your damage output while remaining agile. The ability to fire while mid-air or strafing creates an unpredictable movement pattern, making you a difficult target to hit while simultaneously dealing significant damage.
Master close-quarters combat by integrating flight into your fighting style. Instead of simply dodging left or right on the ground, use short bursts of VTOL Jets to throw off your opponent’s aim. This allows you to maintain a constant barrage of fire while avoiding predictable ground strafes. Additionally, Valkyrie’s aerial maneuverability is perfect for initiating unexpected attacks from above. Dropping in with a shotgun from height can catch opponents off-guard, giving you a massive advantage before they have a chance to react.
When using VTOL Jets in combat, fuel management becomes crucial. Keep your flights brief and controlled to avoid burning through fuel reserves, and always be aware of your surroundings. Fighting from the air might expose you to enemies from different angles, so use nearby cover to your advantage. Valkyrie excels at being a highly mobile skirmisher, and mastering this balance between movement and firepower will make you a formidable force in both solo and squad-based engagements.
Pro Tip: Practice shooting while moving in the Firing Range. Valkyrie’s mobility is her best defense, so combine constant movement with precise shooting to dominate close-quarters combat.
Team Synergy and Ideal Composition
Valkyrie shines in team settings where mobility and map control are key. Pairing her with Legends like Bloodhound or Seer allows you to pinpoint enemy positions before diving in with her Skyward Dive or setting up flanks with her VTOL Jets. Additionally, pairing her with defensive Legends like Wattson or Gibraltar can provide a solid foundation for your team while you take to the skies to gather information or reposition for an advantage.
Valkyrie in Season 22 is more versatile than ever. With improved mobility, faster ability cooldowns, and more responsive Ultimate activations, she offers a unique combination of reconnaissance, mobility, and combat control. By mastering her abilities and learning when to engage or reposition, you can dominate the skies and lead your team to victory.
Remember, playing Valkyrie is all about control—control of your position, control of the battlefield, and control of the skies. With practice and strategic use of her abilities, you’ll soon be the winged menace every enemy fears in the Outlands.
