Unleashing Iso: A Closer Look at VALORANT's Latest Agent and His Abilities

Image from earlygame.com

Li Zhao Yu, more commonly known as Iso, is the most recent addition to the agent roster. Iso is now the 7th duelist; added to VALORANT during the release of Episode 7: Act 3 on October 31, 2023. As a duelist, his role is to be one of the first players to advance onto a spike site and gain intel on what is happening. He must lead with instinct, utilizing his abilities to aid him along the way. 

Iso is seen rocking a white hoodie with a red drawstring and purple details around the hood, black jeans with some red details, and a pair of purple sneakers with red shoelaces. Every round he is found with his ear buds in, listening to his favourite playlists to maintain focus and concentration. He radiates cool, calm and collected vibes as he maneuvers his way through the map.  

Iso possesses abilities like no other. Listed below are Iso’s abilities and some insight on how they are used: 

(C) Contingency: 

Iso’s C ability is an impenetrable wall that is pushed forwards to block enemy bullets. The wall is said to be made from prismatic energy that he assembles. The wall lasts for roughly 5 seconds and can travel a total distance of 5 meters. While playing Iso, I have found that the wall comes in most useful when progressing onto a site; the wall creates a barrier that hinders your opponent's bullets as well as their sight.  

(Q) Undercut: 

Essentially, Iso’s Q ability is capable of making your opponent vulnerable for about 4 seconds. It is described to be a “molecular bolt” in the description by playvalorant.com. This can give you or your teammates an advantage by enabling you to deal twice the amount of damage to your opponent. In an article from Exputer.com, it explains that while using this ability in game, “it’s crucial to be mindful as the ability can affect allies”.  

(E) Double Tap: 

This ability is all about timing, focus, and aim. Once this ability is activated, a countdown timer will appear on your screen showing you the amount of time you are given to defeat an opponent. Once defeated, an energy orb will appear, of which you will need to shoot to obtain the ability itself: a shield. The shield you acquire will absorb 1 instance of damage taken from an enemy. The timer is renewed each time an orb is hit, resetting the process. Aside from having the useful shield, this ability can sometimes be distracting while attempting to fight multiple enemies at one time as it adds another target you will need to hit. In an article from Valorfeed.gg, it explains that if two enemies were to advance, you would need to have “insane aim to get those flicks”. 

(X) Kill Contract:  

Ready for a 1 vs. 1? You better be ready if you equip his ultimate ability. The ultimate is thrown into a direction in which you know there is an enemy, capturing them, teleporting you and the enemy to an interdimensional arena. Here you and your opponent spawn on opposite sides of the arena; Iso behind two protective barriers, and your opponent behind one. Once the walls fall, it is a shoot-out to see who will leave the arena victorious. In my experience, I have found the ultimate to be the most fun ability Iso carries due to the simple fact that it is witty and quick.  

POLL: What is your favourite Iso ability? 

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  (Q) Undercut
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  (X) Kill Contract
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  (E) Double Tap
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  (C) Contingency

Images taken from: sportskeeda.com, charlieintel.com, juegocentrar.com, win.gg

In the short video I have attached; you will find my personal clips that I have curated into a highlight reel of each ability, along with Iso’s introduction sequence.