In Apex Legends, it's crucial to have a Skirmisher on the team who can help to cover various angles in-game. One of those Skirmishers is Valkyrie who's both mobile and powerful enough to intimidate enemies from the skies. However, controlling her from up above isn't as easy as it seems. With that, we've prepared this guide on Valkyrie, her abilities, and tips to maximise her potential.
As a mobility-based character, Valkyrie mainly uses her jetpacks to propel herself in the air to throw off enemies. Additionally, she can shoot projectiles that stun enemies from good distances, making her quite a well-balanced player to both support and gather information.
Before we get to the guide, be sure to also check out our other Apex Legends content such as changes to armour evo in Season 20, and everything you need to know about the new LTM, Straight Shot.
Apex Legends Valkyrie abilities
Released back in Season 9, Valkyrie was introduced as part of the Recon class, known to be a class that deals with gathering enemy intel. However, after an update in 2023, new classes were added to the game, and Valkyrie's new home became the Skirmisher class. Simply, this class' abilities lean more on the strong mobility options for escape tactics and flanking. So how do Valkyrie's abilities fit in this class?
Passive: VTOL Jets
Valkyrie's VTOL Jets allow her to fly in any direction until her fuel runs out. While using this ability, however, Valkyrie can't use any Apex Legends weapon combinations except for her Missile Swarm. Moreover, there's a one-second delay after the release of her Jets before she can switch to using her weapons. Here are also some other things you should take note of regarding this ability:
- Her fuel refills eight seconds after her last use of the VTOL Jets.
- From an empty tank, her fuel refill takes 10 seconds.
- Aerial boosting and strafing for Valkyrie takes a 20% debuff when she's hit by slowing effects.
Tactical: Missile Swarm
Firing a swarm of missiles that deal damage and stun enemies, this ability makes Valkyrie quite a threat. She can hit enemies from a fairly long range, making them perfect for finishing off an enemy running for cover, or for forcing them out. Moreover, paired with the VTOL Jets, Valkyrie can easily use her weapon, disengage, and then use her Missile Swarm while in the air. Other important information on this ability includes the following:
- Valkyrie's missiles explode in a 1.25m radius.
- She cannot use her missiles effectively within interior spaces with low ceilings.
- Her maximum target distance is 100 meters horizontally, regardless of the elevation between a target and Valkyrie.
Ultimate: Skyward Dive
For her Ultimate, Valkyrie prepares to launch to soar across the skies. She can use this ability with her teammates and also launch them into the air with her. This ability is perfect for repositioning on the map and making a drop similar to the beginning of a match. Keep in mind these things when attempting to use the Ultimate though:
- The ultimate ability has a three-minute cooldown time.
- In terms of preparation to launch, using the Skyward Dive in the middle of battle puts Valkyrie at a huge risk as it can be cancelled when she takes damage, taking back 75% of its charge.
Tips and tricks for Valkyrie
Maximize the verticality
When using Valkyrie, it becomes very advantageous for players to maximise her verticality. When engaging in fights, it becomes a frustrating adjustment to aim upwards or downwards then repositioning one's crosshair. This can leave enemies quite vulnerable.
Besides that, when in battle, the VTOL Jets are perfect for both offence and defence. In critical moments, Valkyrie's abilities can help you escape to high ground to take some time to heal. When used offensively, she can chase down enemies that are trying to disengage.
Use your environment for close combat
In open spaces, Valkyrie's jets can be easily heard, giving the enemy an advantage. You should use your environment, such as hiding behind poles and trees to lessen the risk of damage from enemies, when repositioning as Valkyrie.
Flying in open air makes Valkyrie very vulnerable to attacks and being beamed out of the sky by several enemies isn't the best way to go in-game. So, be careful when you hover around in middair.
Try changing up your toggle settings
In-game, you can change the toggle settings if you aren't comfortable with holding the jump button. To master the VTOL Jets, you can switch to "Hold" instead of "Toggle." This allows players to control Valkyrie mid-air with more ease, allowing you to slowly master the legend.
With that, you know everything you need to know about Valkyrie and her abilities. While you're still here, be sure to check out our other guides on the game such as our guns and weapons tier list, plus we have all the intel on new legend upgrades in Season 20.