The Reddit Post

A Reddit user by the name of 992x recently posted about their frustration with instalockers in Valorant. They mentioned that it was annoying when an instalocking Reyna or Jett starts yelling what roles or agents the team is missing. This seems to be a common experience for many players, as seen in the comments that followed.

What is an Instalocker?

An instalocker is a player who immediately selects their desired agent as soon as the agent select screen appears. This means that the other players on their team have to choose their agents around the instalocker. This can be frustrating for other players, especially when they are given limited time to coordinate their team composition before the match starts.

Why Do Players Instalock?

Some players instalock because they have a specific agent that they are comfortable with and want to play that agent each time they play Valorant. Others instalock because they want to ensure that they get their preferred agent before anyone else does. Finally, some players instalock because they want to assert dominance over their team and dictate the team composition. Whatever the reason, instalocking can lead to tension and frustration within a team.

The Good

In some cases, having an instalocker on your team can be beneficial. If the instalocker is a skilled player with their chosen agent, they can carry the team to victory. Additionally, instalockers can help establish team compositions quickly, which can be especially helpful in solo queue matches where communication is limited.

The Bad

Many players find instalockers to be a nuisance. Instalockers not only limit the team's options in terms of agent selection but also create a toxic environment by demanding other players fill certain roles or agents. This behavior can lead to arguments and negatively impact the team's cohesion. Additionally, instalockers can be stubborn and unwilling to switch agents, even if the team composition is poorly balanced.

The Ugly

Instalockers can ruin a game for their team if they are inexperienced with their chosen agent. This can lead to frustration and tilt within the team, and ultimately result in a loss. Furthermore, instalocking and demanding other players to fill specific roles or agents can lead to players getting discouraged from playing particular agents, thus limiting the variety within the game.

Conclusion

Instalocking is a hotly debated topic in the Valorant community. While it can have some benefits, it often leads to toxic and frustrating experiences within teams. If you're an instalocker, it's important to remember that you're not the only player on your team and that communication and compromise are key to creating a positive team dynamic. On the flip side, if you run into an instalocker on your team, remember that they may have their reasons for doing so. Communicate with them and see if you can work together to create an effective team composition. At the end of the day, the goal of Valorant is to have fun and work as a team to secure the win. Instalocking can make that difficult, but it doesn't have to ruin the experience for everyone.