Riot Games officially unveiled Veto, the newest Sentinel joining VALORANT’s expanding agent Riot Games has officially introduced Veto, the newest Sentinel joining VALORANT’s agent lineup, during the grand finals of VALORANT Champions Paris.
Why it Matters: Veto is the first Senegalese agent in VALORANT, built around the concept of nullifying enemy abilities and technology. His anti-utility design brings a new layer of strategy, challenging players to rely more on mechanical skill and timing.
According to Nicholas Smith, Game Designer, the goal behind Veto’s design was to create a defensive agent who could directly counter heavy utility play. “Veto’s kit centers on anti-utility, aiming to give players a stronger foothold on defense. We wanted to provide an option to hold your ground,” Smith said.
Veto’s gameplay revolves around control and adaptability. His teleport allows quick repositioning, while his traps and interceptors disrupt enemy advances. “Veto is bold. His setups are highly adaptable, shifting based on how opponents play over time,” Smith explained. “He can function like a traditional defensive Sentinel, or you can take a more aggressive approach to create space and make plays.”
His abilities include:
- Chokehold – Throws a viscous fragment that traps enemies in place, deafening and decaying them unless destroyed.
- Crosscut – Places a teleportation vortex that allows quick movement and repositioning.
- Interceptor – Deploys a device that destroys enemy utilities which would otherwise bounce or break naturally.
- Evolution (Ultimate) – Triggers full mutation, granting regeneration, combat boost, and immunity to all debuffs.
Smith said Veto will likely have a strong impact on how teams manage ability-heavy rounds. “Veto will definitely shake things up, particularly in how teams approach utility,” he added. “He can tank Brimstone’s ult, eat a Raze rocket, and keep fighting. Even when enemies know he’s ulted, it forces them to rethink their approach.”
Veto officially joins the roster on October 7, 2025.
Riot Games also rolled out Skirmish, a new custom game mode now live for players. It enables 1v1 to 5v5 matches on a smaller, close-quarters map, letting players jump straight into fast-paced duels and team skirmishes.
With Veto’s anti-utility focus and Skirmish’s tighter combat design, VALORANT players can expect a shift in both strategy and pace.
How do you think Veto’s bold, defensive style will change the current meta?
