TL;DR
- Sova’s shock bolt deals 90 maximum damage, requiring two shots to eliminate fully armored opponents
- Pro player ardiis demonstrated how to destroy Killjoy’s lockdown ultimate using precise lineups
- The Haven A site lineup requires specific positioning and double bounce mechanics
- This counter-strategy is essential against common Killjoy ultimate setups
- Mastering shock bolt lineups provides significant tactical advantages on multiple maps
Professional Valorant matches often showcase innovative strategies that aspiring players can adapt for competitive play. During the Red Bull Homeground Grand Finals, G2 Esports’ Ardis ‘ardiis’ Svarenieks delivered a masterclass in Sova utility usage that fundamentally shifted a critical round outcome.
The championship series featured Team Liquid challenging the established dominance of G2 Esports, with Oscar ‘mixwell’ Cañellas leading his squad to claim the Homeground title through exceptional team coordination and individual brilliance.
Haven’s third map developed into an intensely contested battle, with neither team establishing clear control until the penultimate round. With victory hanging in the balance, ardiis executed a perfectly timed Sova shock bolt that neutralized Team Liquid’s strategic advantage.
G2 had successfully secured the A bombsite, but defending the planted Spike against five opponents presented a formidable challenge. While his teammates provided crucial support, ardiis’s calculated use of Sova’s shock bolt against Killjoy’s ultimate became the defining moment of the entire match.
Killjoy’s Lockdown ultimate represents one of the most powerful area denial tools in Valorant when deployed effectively. The device creates an extensive containment field that renders all enemies within its radius completely vulnerable after its activation period completes.
For defending teams, this ability serves as an ideal site evacuation tool, forcing attackers to retreat or risk being detained. Recently, players have discovered particularly effective Killjoy ultimate lineups that can lockdown entire bombsite areas, such as the notorious setup that secures Haven’s A site completely.
Sova Shock darts to destroy KJ’s ultimate on A Haven in Grand Final of Red Bull tourney, winning G2 a round vs. Liquid
from
r/ValorantCompetitive
Team Liquid’s James ‘Kryptix’ Affleck attempted to utilize this powerful ultimate lineup, but G2’s ardiis had prepared the perfect countermeasure. By deploying Sova’s Shock Bolt with precision timing, ardiis eliminated the Lockdown device within seconds, allowing his team to reclaim control of the bombsite.
Executing this counter-strategy requires precise positioning and aiming technique. Begin by aligning your character with the specific rock formation corner near A site, ensuring your positioning matches the reference point exactly.
Direct your crosshair upward toward the window structures, positioning it precisely between the two central window frames as demonstrated in the accompanying visual guide.

Configure your shock bolt for two bounces and release it when the charge meter reaches approximately 50% capacity. The projectile will arc perfectly to impact directly on top of Killjoy’s Lockdown device, immediately destroying the ultimate ability.
Timing proves critical for this lineup’s success—execute the shot immediately after hearing the Lockdown activation sound to ensure the device is destroyed before it can detain your team.
Sova’s Shock Bolt presents a significant threat to enemy agents, with a single impact capable of eliminating already damaged opponents. However, defeating fully armored enemies requires two consecutive arrows, as each Shock Bolt inflicts 90 health points of damage at maximum capacity.
The damage mechanics follow specific rules that every Sova player should understand. Against opponents with full shields (150 total HP), you’ll need to land two shock bolts or combine one bolt with weapon damage to secure eliminations.
Advanced players should note that damage falls off based on distance from the explosion epicenter. Enemies at the very edge of the blast radius may survive with minimal health, requiring follow-up attacks to finish them.
This specific counter-lineup proves invaluable in ranked matches and professional scrims, especially as Killjoy’s ultimate setups become increasingly common in the current meta. When five attackers swarm a bombsite, the Lockdown can incapacitate multiple players simultaneously, making reliable counters absolutely essential for success.
Sova’s toolkit excels on Haven due to his exceptional intelligence-gathering capabilities, but his unique ability to neutralize Killjoy’s ultimate makes him an optimal selection for this specific map.
Common execution errors include improper charge timing, incorrect bounce settings, and misaligned crosshair placement. Practice this lineup in custom games until you can execute it consistently under pressure.
For players looking to expand their strategic knowledge, our Class Guide provides detailed analysis of agent roles and synergies that can enhance your Sova gameplay significantly.
Action Checklist
- Practice the Haven A site Killjoy ultimate counter-lineup in custom games
- Memorize shock bolt damage values and shield break requirements
- Learn timing cues for destroying Lockdown before activation completes
- Integrate shock bolt lineups into your team’s default executes and retakes
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » G2 ardiis shows how Sova can destroy Killjoy’s ultimate on Haven Master Sova's shock bolt mechanics and counter Killjoy's ultimate with pro-level lineups and strategies
