The average “patch note summary” article is mostly a surface-level tier list. Still, we at Blix know that examining meta changes requires skill and a hell of a time. You have skill, we don’t doubt, so we’ve decided to save you some time.
Using real-time data, we’ve analyzed 9 agents—those buffed, nerfed, or freshly deployed across the last three patches (10.04–10.06). And yes, all that is built for experienced players who aren’t just chasing flavor-of-the-month picks but are serious about mastering the current meta.
We’ve gathered proof-checked stats, before-and-after comparisons, tactical advice tailored to the changes, and honest insight into who’s rising, who’s falling, and how to adapt.
Note: While Patch 10.07 is the most recent update at the time of writing, it included only minor bug fixes and UI improvements. The real meta shake-up came with Patch 10.06, which brought impactful balance changes to several key agents. For that reason, all analysis and data in this article are based on Patch 10.06, where the actual meta shifts occurred.
Contents
- 1 Highlights
- 2 Best Meta-Shifting Agents List
- 3 Patch 10.06 Agent Performance Metrics
- 4 KAY/O – The Reprogrammed Initiator
- 5 Vyse – The Tamed Sentinel
- 6 Yoru – The Costlier Trickster
- 7 Clove – The Rising Controller
- 8 Deadlock – The Reinforced Sentinel
- 9 Iso – The Empowered Duelist
- 10 Tejo – Post-Nerf Utility Adjuster
- 11 Neon – The Energized Duelist
- 12 Waylay – Debut Disruptor
- 13 Agent Meta Shift Comparison: Before vs. After
- 14 FAQ For Meta Shifts
Highlights
- List of the best Agents, recently nerfed/buffed
- Table of that Agents’ performance
- Summary of those changes and their impact
- Rates (pick rate, Win rate, DPR nd DA)\
- Advices, tailored to those changes
- Table comparing their recent meta shifts
- Additional: FAQ on how to behave if your favorite Agent had been patched
Best Meta-Shifting Agents List
- KAY/O – Buffed in Patch 10.06
- Vyse – Nerfed in Patch 10.06
- Yoru – Minor nerf in Patch 10.06
- Clove – Buffed in Patch 10.04
- Deadlock – Buffed in Patch 10.04
- Iso – Major adjustments in Patch 10.04
- Tejo – Nerfed in Patch 10.04
- Waylay – Introduced in Patch 10.04 (new agent)
- Neon – Buffed in Patch 10.04
Patch 10.06 Agent Performance Metrics
| Agent | Role | Pick Rate (%) | Win Rate (%) | DPR | KDA |
| KAY/O | Initiator | 25.7 | 43.9 | 36.9 | 0.95 |
| Vyse | Sentinel | 1.72 | 49.6 | 58.9 | 1.11 |
| Yoru | Duelist | 10.9 | 48.3 | 59.5 | 1.02 |
| Clove | Controller | 2.93 | 49.5 | 66.8 | 1.31 |
| Deadlock | Sentinel | 0.23 | 42.0 | 56.1 | 0.91 |
| Iso | Duelist | 0.73 | 52.8 | 69.5 | 1.20 |
| Tejo | Initiator | 0.28 | 39.8 | 49.8 | 0.85 |
| Neon | Duelist | 0.81 | 51.0 | 62.9 | 1.05 |
| Waylay | Duelist | 1.85 | 48.99 | 144.49 | 1.26 |
KAY/O – The Reprogrammed Initiator
- FLASH/DRIVE:
- Underhand maximum flash duration increased from 1.25s to 1.5s.
- Voice line range increased from 20m to 50m.
- Unequip time reduced from 0.85s to 0.6s.
- Added minimap indicator for teammates.
- NULL/cmd:
- Ally resurrection time reduced from 3s to 1.5s.
KAY/O’s flash is now faster to throw, lasts longer when underhanded, and is easier to coordinate with thanks to the minimap ping. That makes him much more reliable for clearing angles and setting up teammates. The ultimate change makes him a better frontline engager, especially in coordinated teamplay—shorter revive time = safer chaos.
- Pick Rate: ~25.7%
- Win Rate: ~43.9%
- DPR: ~36.9
- KDA: ~0.95
- Practice Throw Angles: Mastering the new flash mechanics requires practice; spend time in custom games to perfect your throw angles.
- Coordinate Flashes: Utilize the increased voice line range and minimap indicators to better coordinate flash timings with teammates.
- Aggressive Ult Usage: With the reduced ally resurrection time, consider using your ultimate more aggressively to support team pushes.
Vyse – The Tamed Sentinel
- Razorvine: Duration reduced from 10s to 7s.
- Shear: Wall duration reduced from 8s to 6s.
Vyse’s utility now lasts less time, which kills her ability to stall or delay as effectively. She’s now forced to play more like a utility initiator than a slow Sentinel anchor. You’ll need faster reactions and tighter timing to get value from her walls and vines.
And also – we have big in-depth material on how to play Vyse like a pro. Check it out, seriously – it connects dots.
- Pick Rate: ~1.72%
- Win Rate: ~49.6%
- DPR: ~58.9
- KDA: ~1.11
- Delay Commitment: Wait to cast Razorvine/Shear until the enemy’s actually committing—those 3–2 seconds less hurt.
- Pair with Strong Site Anchors: Use Killjoy or Cypher with Vyse to compensate for lost area control.
- Cycle Cooldowns with Team: Focus on rotating utility with Initiators to prolong control presence
Yoru – The Costlier Trickster
- Fakeout: Cost increased from 100 to 200 credits.
Yoru’s Fakeout is now double the cost, so messing with enemy rotations isn’t cheap anymore. Players now use it less frequently, making his kit more predictable. You’ll have to get real value from it—like triggering utility or setting up a fake—rather than spamming misdirection.
- Pick Rate: ~10.9%
- Win Rate: ~48.3%
- DPR: ~59.5
- KDA: ~1.02
- Coordinate with Team: Use Use Fakeout to Bait Utility, Not Kills: With its new cost (200), treat it like a disposable info sponge.
- Only Buy on Value Rounds: Skip Fakeout on ecos—save it for rounds with fake executes or rotations.
- Double-Layer Your Mindgames: Combine Fakeout with TP to fully mess with opponent rotations—budget for it.
Clove – The Rising Controller
- Meddle (Q): Detonation Mechanism Quickened to 0.75 seconds.
- Ruse (E): Cooldown Increased from 30 to 40 seconds.
- Pick-Me-Up (C): the duration of the health buff extended from 8 to 10 seconds.
- Movement Speed Buff: duration reduced from 8 to 3 seconds.
Clove’s Meddle detonates faster after landing, so it’s now much better for forcing movement or setting traps. The Ruse cooldown being longer punishes casual smokes—you must plan them better. The health buff on Pick-Me-Up is longer (good), but the speed boost is shorter (bad), meaning you should stay to fight after getting a kill rather than trying to dash out.
- Pick Rate: ~2.93%
- Win Rate: ~49.5%
- DPR: ~66.8
- KDA: ~1.31
- Line Up Meddle Detonations: Time your ground-contact throws for peak pressure or retake value.
- Don’t Burn Smokes Early: Ruse’s longer cooldown means late-round value is now key.
- Pick Kills With Escape in Mind: The shorter speed boost post-Pick-Me-Up demands smart repositioning.
Deadlock – The Reinforced Sentinel
- GravNet is now her signature ability, recharging every 40s (down from two charges). Radius reduced (16m → 13m), but added global audio cue when removed—better info tool.
- Barrier Mesh is no longer free—now a 400 credit ability. You’ll need to budget for it like standard utility.
GravNet is now signature, making it more available—great for slowing rushes or disrupting plants. Smaller radius means more precise placement is needed. Barrier Mesh costs credits now, so it’s a mid-round commitment, not a passive bonus. You’re now playing a Sentinel who actively manages utility like an Initiator.
- Pick Rate: ~0.23%
- Win Rate: ~42.0%
- DPR: ~56.1
- KDA: ~0.91
- Anchor With Layered Utility: With improved uptime, combine Barrier Mesh and Sonic Sensor for hard-stop defense.
- Cover Choke Points: Use her buffs to better deny narrow corridors on maps like Split or Icebox.
- Rotate Early: Still low pick rate—don’t overcommit to site anchoring without team backup.
Iso – The Empowered Duelist
- Undercut: Charges reduced (2 → 1), cost increased (200 → 300), now applies suppression + vulnerability for 4s.
- Contingency: New slow-fire mode added—wall travels at half speed for safer clears.
- Double Tap: Shield break now causes a heavier slow, making Iso more punishable.
- Ultimate Fix: Orb now always spawns after duel win, even without Double Tap active.
In short – more disruption, more control—but you now have to play cleaner and smarter to get full value.
- Pick Rate: ~0.73%
- Win Rate: ~52.8%
- DPR: ~69.5
- KDA: ~1.20
- Suppress Then Peek: The suppression added to Undercut makes it ideal before taking 1v1s—look for isolated targets.
- Wall-Walk Control: The slower Contingency gives Iso time to clear corners behind it—don’t just pop it and push.
- Watch the Shield Break Tag: Once Double Tap’s shield breaks, you’re vulnerable—don’t overstay.
Tejo – Post-Nerf Utility Adjuster
- Guided Salvo (E):
- Damage Reduction: Decreased from 70 to 65.
- Utility Damage Adjustment: Now deals 50% damage to non-player objects.
- Impact on Killjoy’s Lockdown: Can no longer destroy Killjoy’s Lockdown; after activation, Lockdown will retain 5 HP
Guided Salvo is less effective at clearing enemy utility now—it’s not the anti-Killjoy tool it used to be. Damage still hits players fine, so it’s best used with teammate scans to hit clusters. You now need better coordination to get full value out of him.
That is in addition to other tips – which we had plenty on him!
Rates
- Pick Rate: ~0.28%
- Win Rate: ~39.8%
- DPR: ~49.8
- KDA: ~0.85
- Don’t Waste Salvo on Utility: Now only does 50% to objects—save it for grouped enemies, not KJ Lockdowns.
- Combo With Soft Clears: Pair Salvo with Sova or Fade scans to hit clustered targets.
- Build Around Info, Not Burst: Tejo’s value is now smarter setups, not raw impact.
Neon – The Energized Duelist
- Overdrive (Ultimate):
- Headshot damage multiplier increased from 2.5 to 3.0.
- Leg damage multiplier increased from 0.75 to 0.85.
- High Gear (Sprint):
- Fuel drain per second reduced from 0.11 to 0.1.
Overdrive’s buffed multipliers mean headshots erase enemies instantly, making her ult legit scary. Sprint drains slower, so her ability to pressure and rotate increased dramatically. She’s now one of the strongest eco-round duelists in the game.
- Pick Rate: ~0.81%
- Win Rate: ~51.0%
- DPR: ~62.9
- KDA: ~1.05
- Headshot Or Bust: Overdrive now slaps—go for heads, especially on forced or low-buy rounds.
- Dash First, Then Slide: The lower fuel drain means longer mobility chains—maximize map control.
- Pair With Smokes: Use her entry power with Brim or Astra to force site chaos and create opening duels.
Waylay – Debut Disruptor
Waylay was introduced in Patch 10.04 – so no recent adjustments: she is flawless enough already.Her unique kit emphasizes high mobility and crowd control, aiming to disrupt enemy formations and create opportunities for her team.
Waylay’s mobility and debuff utility make her great at isolating duels or enabling fast site hits. But her unfamiliar kit means her current stats lag behind. Players are still learning how to set up effective light-paths and saturate timing—she’ll get better as more players adapt.
- Pick Rate: ~1.85%
- Win Rate: ~48.99%
- DPR: ~144.49.
- KDA: 1.26.
- Ultimate = Zone Crusher: Convergent Paths is great for splitting bomb sites or pinning defenders—time it with team pushes.
- Tag ‘Em, Then Dive: Use Saturate to hinder enemies, then follow up with dashes or support entry.
- Beacon = Lifeline: Use Refract as an exit plan when flanking or baiting fights—track its placement.
Agent Meta Shift Comparison: Before vs. After
Note: "Before" metrics are sourced from Patch 10.05 data, while "After"
metrics are from Patch 10.06.
| Agent | Role | Patch | Pick Rate Before | Win Rate Before | Pick Rate After | Win Rate After | Δ Pick Rate | Δ Win Rate |
| KAY/O | Initiator | 10.06 | ~1.93% | ~49.07% | 25.7% | 43.9% | +23.77% | -5.17% |
| Vyse | Sentinel | 10.06 | ~1.46% | ~50.5% | 1.72% | 49.6% | +0.26% | -0.9% |
| Yoru | Duelist | 10.06 | 0.63% | 50.97% | 10.9% | 48.3% | +10.27% | -2.67% |
| Clove | Controller | 10.04 | 0.03% | 50.36% | 2.93% | 49.5% | +2.90% | -0.86% |
| Deadlock | Sentinel | 10.04 | 1.55% | 50.7% | 0.23% | 42.0% | -1.32% | -8.7% |
| Iso | Duelist | 10.04 | 0.65% | 49.6% | 0.73% | 52.8% | +0.08% | +3.2% |
| Tejo | Initiator | 10.04 | 0.30% | 40.42% | 0.28% | 39.8% | -0.02% | -0.62% |
| Neon | Duelist | 10.04 | 1.14% | 50.53% | 0.81% | 51.0% | -0.33% | +0.47% |
| Waylay | Duelist | 10.04 | N/A | N/A | 1.85% | 48.99% | N/A | N/A |
FAQ For Meta Shifts
My Agent Was Buffed! Should I Insta-Lock Now?
Not so fast.
Buffs don’t magically make an agent meta overnight. First, understand the nature of the buff—is it raw stats (like damage or utility uptime) or more niche (like voice line radius or unequip time)? Then, grind reps in unranked or customs. You’ll squeeze more value from a well-practiced buffed agent than from blind optimism.
My Agent Was Nerfed. Is It Time to Retire Them?
Nope, not unless you were one-tricking an OP abomination.
Nerfs often target extreme edge cases (e.g., pro-level abuses or stacking abilities), not casual or ranked play. Look at win rate shifts across your rank. If the drop is minor, just adjust your habits—don’t panic-uninstall your agent pick.
How Should I Change My Playstyle According To The New Meta?
Ask: what did the patch actually punish or encourage?
Was your aggressive flash timing slowed down? Is a trap now shorter-lived? Adjust your timing, position, and coordination, not your identity. Good agents are flexible; great players are adaptable.
Should I Switch Roles Because of These Changes?
Only if you’re already on the fence.
If your Sentinel got gutted and you were half-itching to try Controller life, now’s your moment. But if you’re committed to the role, try similar agents within your category. Going from Deadlock to Cypher or KAY/O to Skye keeps you learning without abandoning muscle memory.
Where Can I Check If My Agent Is Still Viable?
Metrics are your best friend.
We often provide it, and you can use sites like u.gg or metasrc.com to monitor pick rate, win rate, and performance in your elo bracket. Also, stay up on patch notes and pro comps for context. A sub-50% win rate doesn’t always mean “bad”—it might just mean “harder to master.”
