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How to Play Kayo in Valorant?

By Ena Josić
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How to Play Kayo in Valorant?

If you’re tired of duelists dashing in like they own the place, it’s time to bring in the robot with a plan—KAY/O. This no-nonsense initiator is a walking anti-ability machine, built to shut down flashy plays and make space for his team like a true tactical beast. With a mix of utility that flashes, suppresses, and revives, KAY/O is all about leading the charge and making sure your enemies can’t do a thing about it. In this guide, we’ll break down how to play KAY/O like a pro—because nothing’s more satisfying than turning off an enemy Jett’s abilities and then out-aiming her.

Also Read: How to Play Reyna in Valorant


Understanding KAY/O’s Utility – The Fragment

Kay/o’s Fragment ability is an equippable, molly-like tool that lasts for four seconds and deals damage in four separate ticks. Unlike traditional Molotovs, Fragment can be thrown with a left click to cover long distances or lobbed with a right click to clear close angles. Each tick deals between 25 and 60 damage, depending on where enemies stand inside its radius.

This ability shines because of its massive radius and damage potential. It can quickly finish off low-health opponents or act as a deterrent by blocking choke points the enemy is trying to push through. Fragment is especially effective at flushing out enemies hiding in tight corners or angles, forcing them into a panicked fight where you have the advantage or suffer damage from the molly.

Another smart use of a Fragment is to stall post-plant situations. By throwing it directly at the spike when you hear the defuse attempt, you can buy precious seconds or even prevent the spike from being diffused. Though the Fragment lasts only four seconds, its large radius makes it easier to land on the spike or behind smokes, unlike other Molly variants that require precise lineups.

In summary, Fragment is a quick-killing molly variant with a huge area of effect, perfect for wide spaces where traditional mollys fall short. While it may not be the best for long-lasting or damage over time, its unique quirks make it a valuable tool in Kayo’s arsenal.

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Mastering the Flash Drive: Kay/o’s Most Versatile Tool

The Flash Drive is arguably the most talked-about ability in Kayo’s kit due to its power and versatility. It functions as a flash that blinds opponents and teammates alike, and can be thrown with a left click for longer, lobbed throws or right click for closer, more precise flashes.

One of the key strengths of Kayo’s flash is the ability to learn lineups that make the flash completely unreactable. This means you can throw flashes that enemies simply cannot turn away from, setting up perfect opportunities for your team or yourself to secure kills.

When throwing the flash, the goal is to make it pop as close to the angle as possible. If the flash is thrown too far past the angle, enemies get more time to react or avoid it, and if it’s too far inside, it might not even blind them. The best practice is to throw the flash so it pops just around the corner, allowing you to peek safely and catch enemies off guard.

There are two main ways to use Kayo’s flash in gunfights:

  • Corner Pop Flash: Throw the flash so it explodes near the corner you want to peek, blinding anyone holding that angle. This is a safer way to clear angles and gain the upper hand.

  • Backflash: Throw the flash behind you as you peek around an angle, catching enemies off guard by forcing them to deal with the flash while you enter the fight. This is great for aggressive plays and confusing opponents.

Right-click throws are generally used for flashing yourself, while left-click throws are more commonly used to flash teammates aggressively, such as pushing deep into A main on Split. Learning a few essential flash lineups can drastically improve your team’s coordination and win crucial rounds with free picks.

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The Power of Zero Point: Kayo’s Signature Clearing Ability

kayos ability

Zero Point, also known as the "Kayo Knife," is Kayo’s signature ability with a 40-second cooldown. This is his primary clearing tool and differentiates him from other initiators who rely on drones or direct vision tools.

When thrown, Zero Point suppresses enemies caught in its radius for eight seconds, preventing them from using their abilities. It also reveals the number of enemies detected in the area, which can be crucial for planning attacks or defenses.

On attack, Zero Point is invaluable for disabling enemy Sentinels’ traps like tripwires and alarm bots, making site executions much smoother. It also forces enemies to drop weapon abilities such as Jett’s knives, Chamber’s operator, or Raze’s rocket, often forcing them to fight with weaker guns.

On defense, players use Zero Point early to gather intel on enemy movements, typically throwing it near A or B main to detect pushes. However, timing and location variation are critical, as opponents at higher levels will anticipate predictable knife throws and exploit them.

While Zero Point replaces a traditional drone, which some see as a drawback, it offers a unique blend of intel and utility that can turn the tide of a round when used wisely.


Null Command: Kayo’s Ultimate Ability

Kayo’s ultimate, Null Command, grants the overloaded effect, increasing his fire rate by 15%, reload speed by 10%, and recovery speed by 10%. The ultimate lasts 12 seconds and pulses every 4 seconds, creating a large suppression radius that disables enemy abilities.

One of the standout features of Null Command is that if Kayo is downed during its effect, he enters a downed state with 850 HP and can be revived by a teammate holding the interact button for 3 seconds. This effectively gives Kayo two lives during the ultimate.

Null Command is incredibly effective for:

  • Site executes: Suppressing enemy Sentinels and utility to enable your team to push in with fewer obstacles.

  • Retakes: Quickly regaining control of sites while suppressing enemy utility.

  • Defensive holds: Buying time and gathering intel while your teammates reposition.

However, Null Command has the drawback of revealing Kayo’s exact position to the enemy, making it risky to use in 1v1 situations or when stealth is needed. It’s best reserved for chaotic team fights where the suppression effect can have maximum impact.


Learning from the Best: Judgement, a Radiant Kayo Main

kayos knife

Judgement, a Radiant Kayo main, exemplifies how to push Kayo’s potential to the limit. His gameplay showcases how to blend Kayo’s initiator utility with the aggression of a duelist.

One of Judgement’s signature moves is the corner flash, combining back flashes with precise timing to create unreactable flashes that dominate opponents, even through smokes and walls. This style of flashing gives him a significant edge in fights, making it nearly impossible for enemies to react or escape.

In coordinated plays, Judgement uses Zero Point to suppress key enemy players like Jett right as they try to push, allowing his duo partner to secure easy kills. His ability to chain flash and fragment utility in tandem with teammates showcases Kayo’s flexibility as both an initiator and a secondary duelist.

Judgement’s aggressive playstyle, combined with well-timed utility, demonstrates that Kayo can be played not just as a traditional initiator but as a hybrid agent capable of opening sites and dominating fights.

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FAQs about Playing Kayo

Is Kayo better as an initiator or a duelist?

Kayo is best seen as a hybrid between an initiator and a duelist. His utility allows him to clear angles and gather intel like an initiator, but his flashes and aggressive potential let him play like a duelist, especially when paired with good mechanics.

How does Kayo’s Fragment differ from other Molly abilities?

Fragment has a larger radius and deals damage in four ticks over four seconds. It excels at quick damage and flushing out enemies, particularly in wide areas, but is less effective at long stalling compared to traditional Mollys.

What makes Kayo’s Flash Drive unique?

Kayo’s flash can be thrown with two different throw types (left and right click), allowing for a variety of lineups, including unreactable flashes. This versatility makes it one of the most powerful flashes in the game.

How important is timing and location for Zero Point (Kayo Knife)?

Very important. Predictable knife throws can be exploited by opponents, so varying your timings and locations is crucial to maximize intel and suppress enemy utility effectively.

When should I use the Null Command ultimate?

Use Null Command during chaotic team fights, site executes, and retakes where suppressing enemy utility and gaining a temporary second life can provide a huge advantage. Avoid using it in isolated 1v1 fights due to the risk of revealing your position.

Can Kayo replace a traditional initiator with a drone?

Kayo’s kit trades a drone for suppression and scanning utility through his knife and other abilities. While this is a different style of intel gathering, it can be just as effective when used properly, especially in aggressive team compositions.


Final Thoughts

Mastering Kayo requires practice, especially with his flashes and knife timings, but the payoff is immense. By incorporating a few key flash lineups and learning to use his abilities strategically, you can become a dominant force on the battlefield.


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Ena Josić
Ena Josić
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