TL;DR
- Brimstone received significant buffs in Episode 2 after historically low pick rates
- Sky Smoke lasts exactly 19.25 seconds with strategic post-plant applications
- American commander with unique map-based ability deployment system
- Strategic value lies in area denial and team support capabilities
- Essential for coordinated team play and site control strategies

Valorant’s tactical commander Brimstone is poised for a significant resurgence in Episode 2 following extensive community-requested improvements.
Throughout the competitive 2020 season, statistical analysis from The Spike reveals Brimstone maintained the lowest agent selection rates across professional play. During the First Strike North America finals, he recorded zero appearances alongside Sage and Viper, while European tournaments featured him in merely four total matches.
Casual ranked players frequently bypass Brimstone due to perceived kit limitations compared to contemporary controllers. A prominent community discussion on Reddit highlighted widespread concerns about his smoke deployment mechanics being outclassed by Omen’s versatile shadow cover. Players advocated for enhanced smoke range capabilities and pre-round positioning options to increase his competitive viability.
Riot Games developers directly addressed these community concerns with unexpected responsiveness.
“Brimstone enhancements are scheduled for imminent release,” confirmed Valorant developer Coleman “Altombre” Palms.
Enthusiastic players rapidly generated additional improvement concepts, including extended smoke duration and refined map interface interactions. While numerous creative suggestions emerged, specific implementation details and deployment timelines remained undisclosed.
With Episode 2 launching January 12, probability strongly suggests Brimstone’s rework will coincide with this major update. Potential changes range from targeted smoke adjustments to comprehensive ability overhauls, leaving the community anticipating concrete details.
What does Brimstone do in Valorant?
Brimstone’s tactical approach centers on strategic minimap utilization for precision ability placement. Two primary abilities leverage aerial deployment mechanics to create area denial zones or facilitate team advancement. His signature Sky Smoke enables simultaneous deployment of three obscuring clouds from above, generating substantial visual obstruction for opposing teams. However, comparative analysis reveals Omen’s recharging smoke charges and longer-range placement provide superior flexibility in competitive environments.
Advanced players should master Stim Beacon placement timing to maximize team dueling potential during executes. The Orbital Strike ultimate demands careful economizing and precise timing for maximum post-plant or retake effectiveness. Proper ability sequencing separates mediocre Brimstone players from strategic masters who control the battlepace.
Common strategic errors include wasting smoke charges during eco rounds and misjudging Orbital Strike blast radius. Optimal play requires conserving resources for critical round moments rather than default usage patterns.
How long does Brimstone’s smoke last?
Brimstone’s Sky Smoke ability maintains visual obstruction for precisely 19.25 seconds per charge, creating extended area denial windows. Attacking teams frequently deploy smokes following Spike plants to establish post-plant control scenarios. When defenders approach the defuse objective, strategic smoke deployment on site generates disorientation and attack opportunities.
Master-level Brimstone players utilize smoke duration to execute sophisticated post-plant strategies. The extended timing allows for retake denial, fake defuse attempts, and crossfire setup. Understanding the exact duration enables precise execute timing and resource management throughout rounds.
A critical mistake involves deploying all three smokes simultaneously early in rounds, leaving teams vulnerable during critical post-plant phases. Instead, conserve at least one smoke for the final 45 seconds of rounds to maintain late-round options.
Where is Brimstone from in Valorant?
Brimstone originates from the United States, representing American tactical expertise within the Valorant protocol. Current lore remains limited, but Riot’s Episode 2 roadmap promises substantial narrative expansion, revealing deeper agent backgrounds and world-building elements.
As an experienced commander, his background suggests extensive military training and leadership experience. The developing storyline may explore his recruitment into the Valorant organization and relationships with other agents.
For players seeking comprehensive agent knowledge, our Class Guide provides detailed character analysis frameworks applicable across multiple tactical shooters.
Action Checklist
- Practice Sky Smoke placements using minimap for post-plant scenarios
- Master Stim Beacon timing for site executes and retake situations
- Learn Orbital Strike economizing for critical round moments
- Study professional VODs to understand smoke conservation strategies
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Brimstone buffs are set for upcoming Valorant update Complete guide to Brimstone's abilities, upcoming buffs, and strategic gameplay in Valorant Episode 2
