Neon is the 19th Agent to join VALORANT Protocol. In possession of bioelectrical powers that are intrinsically enlaced with Earth's Radianite mesh, the young Filipina congenitally generates electricity to speed past her opponents.
Filipino Agent Neon surges forward at shocking speeds, discharging bursts of bioelectric radiance as fast as her body generates it. She races ahead to catch enemies off guard, then strikes them down quicker than lightning.
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Lore[]
Neon is one of the youngest agents in the VALORANT Protocol, joining the team after being recommended by Chamber, whose backstory is connected to Neon by their troublesome past together at Kingdom. She comes from Taguig in Manila, Philippines.
Neon's Past[]
Neon's Eye of The Storm playercard[1] shows what's assumed to be a Rift Storm occurring around Mount Pulag in the Philippines, whose catalyst is assumed to be Neon's bioelectricity.
Before Neon joined the VALORANT Protocol she was involved with both her mother and father's work, as well as K-SEC, a subsidiary of Kingdom. Neon's father is known to be a creator of radiant support technologies that help radiants across the world with controlling their powers. The catalyst for Neon's father to follow this path essentially started with him developing a Surge Protector to help Neon control her turbulent and potent bioelectric powers. Neon's mother was part of an effort to reduce corruption in Manila, although it is not known whether Neon was involved. Later on, it is known that Neon started working for K-SEC[2], although it is not specified what her responsibilities were. This is where she met Chamber, whom she eventually formed a negative opinion on. Although Brimstone is also an ex K-SEC employee, they are implied to not have met each other before the VALORANT Protocol. This may mean that they were not part of the organization simultaneously or that K-SEC is too large for employees to know all their colleagues.
In the time leading up to Neon's recruitment, Killjoy was in the process of creating a teleportal to Omega Earth after Chamber provided blueprints for the portals seen on Fracture. She was having trouble finding an adequate power source for her teleporter[3] before newly-recruited Chamber stepped in and told Brimstone about Neon[4], stating that he can't reach out to her directly because of a past "misunderstanding" but that she would meet with Brimstone as he is a fellow K-SEC veteran. Neon was soon recruited thereafter, both as a recruit in combat and a power source for the teleportal.
In the VALORANT Protocol[]
Neon was gladly accepted into the VALORANT Protocol despite her recommendation by Chamber, who the Protocol has a slightly more distrustful opinion of. She quickly became acquainted with Killjoy during their time working together on the Omega teleportal. Even after her recruitment, it is evident that she has a positive relationship with her parents and that she is still in contact with them.[5] Despite still being in close contact with her parents, it is unknown whether Neon's parents know what the VALORANT Protocol really is.
Once she was accepted into the Protocol, well-esteemed Agents Sage and Reyna argued over who should train Neon, with Sage trying to mold her into a noble, proficient fighter while Reyna tried to unlock her full potential by trying to remove the Surge Protector on her back, describing it as a 'muzzle'[6]. Chamber also supported Reyna, trying to get approval from Brimstone to remove her voltage caps[7], which Neon strictly opposed to. Eventually, however, Chamber realized that Neon's power was much greater than he initially thought, apologizing for his push to remove her limiters[8]. As mentioned above, as a part of her duties to the Protocol, Neon is also helping in providing ample power to the Alpha-Omega Bridge built by Killjoy.
After Killjoy completed the Omega teleportal and the VALORANT Protocol dealt with Fade and her blackmailing, Neon went on a mission to Pearl with Killjoy and Reyna, as shown in the SHATTERED cinematic. During the VALORANT Protocol members' encounter with Ω-Viper and the ATLAS soldiers in SHATTERED, Neon's Surge Protector was destroyed. Although reluctant, Neon had to fight using her unrestrained powers out of necessity, which ultimately led to her safety. This instance caused Reyna to push for Neon to train with her[9], as she was likely motivated to unlock Neon's full potential after seeing her powers in Lisbon. Neon was kept in a containment room after the incident[10], however, possibly since she was unable to suppress her powers and stop them from hurting someone while her Surge Protector was repaired.
In a voicemail from Killjoy soon after Neon's recruitment, she says that Neon's powers are enlaced with Earth's radianite mesh[11]. She mentions how this shouldn't be possible, meaning the powers of other Radiants in the VALORANT Protocol are likely not similar. It is not currently known what the radianite mesh exactly is or how it affects the VALORANT universe, however, according to a voicemail by Sova, the radianite mesh exists on both Earths[12].
Abilities[]
A Power Fantasy that covered the details of Neon's abilities was released to websites and creators prior to her release.
Neon's HIGH GEAR is caused by sending radianite-infused bioelectric charges to the synapses of her leg muscles, which allows her to move her legs at supernaturally high speeds. She can sprint at extraordinarily high speeds while she can draw bioelectric charge storage.
Neon's RELAY BOLT is made from radianite-infused electricity expelled from her had, creating a field of static electricity which stuns victims inside it.
Neon's FAST LANE is also made from radianite-electricity, discharged from both her hands. Compressed electric charges run in straight lines across the ground and then create plasmic lightning by ionizing with the air.
Neon's OVERDRIVE releases all electricity stored up in her Surge Protector, which acts as a battery-pack. She expels a concentrated charge of radianite lightning from her finger tips while also enhancing her speed.
Dossier[]
As a part of her blackmailing arc, Fade released the following dossier about Neon in Patch 4.05:
This dossier is straightforward in its message to Neon, while also carrying with it a great amount of lore otherwise.
It begins with Fade explaining at great length how all the individuals surrounding Neon in her life possess the great power of control: her Father with his mind, her Mother with her service, and Ling and Zyanya (respectively Sage and Reyna) with their radiant powers. This proves a clear contrast to Neon who perpetually has had difficulty controlling her powers, relying on the Surge Protector installed on her suit to help govern her voltage output. Prone to erratic fluctuations and heavily influenced by emotions, Neon's powers are stated to be extremely potent, so much so that she is able to generate enough electricity to 'power a whole city block' even as she is restricted by her suit and that using her abilities with the absence of her suit could potentially result in a massive, disastrous explosion.[13]
As was mentioned above, this dossier also talks a lot about Neon's backstory, confirming the roles of her parents as a scientist and a cop (both of which which were speculated but unconfirmed before) to be canon. Having designed the Surge Protector for her daughter, Neon's father is stated to have uplifted the lives of millions of individuals through developing radiant support technologies, implying that there is a substantial amount of Radiants with similar issues of power control to Neon.
Nathaniel Valdez[]
Neon's father, Nathaniel Valdez, created her Surge Protector to help his child deal with her uncontrollable Radiant powers, which led to him going on to create technology that helped Radiants struggling with their powers around the world. He began doing this as a job at Kingdom, working to help people like his daughter. Valdez likely contributed to creating devices that are manufactured in bulk along with his custom creations, as he is mentioned to have helped millions around the world[14]. Nathaniel Valdez and his wife, Neon's mother, are still in contact with Neon. In Patch 6.06, Neon goes home to Taguig, Manila, so that her father can upgrade her Surge Protector with capacitors that can be controlled by the user[15].
Appearance[]
Inspired by runner gear and athleisure,[16] Neon's suit proves as an impeccable fit for her speedy nature and bioelectrical capabilities. Neon's theme is a trendy blue, with purple highlights around her suit. She wears a journal along with a small version of her Squish-Squish toy on her belt, which also holds two magazines. Equipped with a Surge Protector on her back, referred to as a 'muzzle' by Reyna[17], the device helps keep Neon's volatile powers under control while she's in use of them.
In line with her blue-yellow color palette, Neon has blue hair with yellow strands styled in a fashionable double bun. Neon is shown to have blue hair from a very young age in her Agent Trailer, possibly meaning that it was never dyed, and her hair is naturally blue. Neon's look is completed with a pair of fashionable sneakers she sports, which are assumed to be fashioned to withstand the high speeds that she runs at.
Relationships[]
Having worked on powering up the Alpha-Omega bridge together and fought side-by-side during interdimensional missions, Killjoy and Neon seem to have developed a friendly relationship over the course of the latter's recruitment. Despite their positive relationship, Neon seems to be aggravated at times of Killjoy's recklessness in approaching her while she utilizes her potent powers.[18]
As an experienced mentor for young Radiants, Sage acts as an admirable role model for Neon, guiding the young recruit in both being a Radiant and an Agent.
In possession of similar abilities based on speed and rapid movement, Jett and Neon have a friendly rivalry with each other.
Unsatisfied with Sage's amiable training methods, Reyna takes on Neon as a mentee after the events of SHATTERED Cinematic as a means of helping the young Radiant unlock her full potential, without caring about the repercussions of doing so.[19]
As evident by her commendatory voicelines, Neon seems to be in friendly terms with the fellow agent Astra. Neon also seems to have curiosity regarding Astra's powers as she asks the Astral Guardian what she is capable of.
Neon seems to have had negative experiences with Chamber, likely during her time working in K-SEC. Their past leads Chamber to be hesitant about approaching Neon himself for her recruitment, for he claims there has been a "misunderstanding" between them.[20] Although the specifics regarding this "misunderstanding" are unknown, it leads to Neon being distrustful of Chamber, warning other Agents of his exploitative nature.
Cards[]
The VALORANT Neon card is a generic portrait of Neon.
The Live Wire card shows Neon's Surge Protector with electricity sparking out of it, acting as her teaser card.
The Eye of the Storm card displays two police officers looking over a rift event in the mountains.
In the Neon ID card is Neon's VALORANT Protocol identification card.
Voicelines[]
Find all of Neon's voicelines here
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Neon's code name 'Sprinter' was added to game files during July 2021.
Neon was teased in the Episode 3 Act 3 Battle Pass in the form of the Live Wire playercard.
During the December 2021 Night Market, a teaser for Neon appears in the form of parol lanterns in the background and her blue and yellow lightning motif.
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On December 7th, 2021. Chamber reveals Neon's place of origin to be Philippines in a voice mail at the practice range. He also reveals her personality traits, as well as some tidbits of her history in Kingdom.
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On December 13th 2021, the first voice line teaser for Neon appeared during the VCT finals. The voice lines tease her abilities as well as her Radiant powers.[21]
Social Media campaigns[]
Neon's place of origin was first teased on Twitter with a video of Killjoy's computer screen. On the left appears binary numbers which reveal the coordinates to a street close to Quiapo, Manila, Philippines.
On January 5th, 2021, the official Twitter account of VALORANT posted a short teaser of Neon revealing her emigration from the Philippines to the VALORANT Headquarters as she has officially begun working and training as an Agent. It is revealed in the teaser that she has a stuffed Octopus toy named Squish-squish.
State of the Agents[]
A new State of the Agents article was published on the 24th of December 2021. It officially reveals Neon's speed and lightning abilities.
Kicking off next year is an Agent who can outpace the rest of the roster, shocking the competition, and sliding straight into the fight.
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Amazon early leak[]
On December 31st, 2021 Amazon accidentally leaked the splash art for the new Episode. VALORANT's Twitter then followed with a tweet of the Episode splash art with Neon's name.
Neon was officially announced January 5, 2021 in Spark - NEON Agent Trailer // VALORANT.
Notes[]
- Neon's working name in the files is "Sprinter".
- Neon is voiced by Vanille Velasquez.
- Prior to being officially revealed as the voice actress, speculation of the voice actor appeared in Reddit which accurately predicted Vanille Velasquez to be the voice actress for the new Agent.
- Neon played basketball in high school, hence the origin of the framed jersey on her wall in Spark.
- As with most other Agents, Neon has a Spotify playlist:
Canonicity Unknown[]
This information was revealed in an article on PhilSTAR L!fe claiming to have interviewed Neon's voice actor, Vanille Velasquez. This was later removed from the article as the Narrative Team had not approved of the information being on the site.
Neon and her bioelectric powers were discovered 20 years ago after a rift appeared in the sky due to a lightning strike near Mount Pulag. A Filipino scientist who had been researching the scene stumbled upon her and adopted her. Neon was raised by the scientist along with a tough Manila Anti-Corruption Task Force officer as her mother. Neon was trained to eventually join this task force along with her mother. Later in life, Neon started working for Kingdom's K-SEC subsidiary, and had a negative run in with Chamber, who she now has a distaste for. It has been revealed that Neon's powers are influenced by her emotions, and that she is a big name in the pro gaming world.
Many of these aspects of Neon's lore have been confirmed since her release. The lightning storm near Mount Pulag can be seen in her Tier 9 Eye of The Storm playercard. Neon's parents are both mentioned in her dossier, both of whom are implied to have the same jobs. Neon's powers have also been implied to be fueled by her emotions in an email to Brimstone from Reyna[22].
Sources[]
References[]
- ↑ Eye of The Storm playercard Go
- ↑ Brimstone's voiceline mentioning Neon's past at K-SECGo
- ↑ Killjoy mentions the lack of a power source for the Omega teleportalGo
- ↑ Chamber recommends Neon to Brimstone for recruitmentGo
- ↑ Neon's voicemail to her parentsGo
- ↑ Reyna refers to Neon's Surge Protector as a muzzleGo
- ↑ Chamber's Voicemail to Brimstone regarding Neon's Surge Protector Go
- ↑ Chamber's email apologizing about trying to adjust Neon's voltage capsGo
- ↑ Reyna's email telling Brimstone that she should train NeonGo
- ↑ Neon's voicemail about staying in a containment roomGo
- ↑ Killjoy's voicemail about Neon's powers being enlaced with the Radianite meshGo
- ↑ Sova's voicemail about calculating the Alpha-Omega meshGo
- ↑ As evidenced by a voicemail sent to Brimstone, audible in Brimstone's Office, Patch 4.03 Go
- ↑ Nathaniel Valdez made 'life liveable for millionsGo
- ↑ Neon goes to Manila to get her Surge Protector upgraded by her fatherGo
- ↑ Devs' inspiration in creating Neon's appearance Go
- ↑ Reyna Referring to Neon's Surge protector as a "muzzle" Go
- ↑ Neon's voicemail regarding Killjoy's recklessness Go
- ↑ Reyna's email to Brimstone regarding Neon Go
- ↑ Chamber's voicemail to Brimstone regarding Neon's recruitment Go
- ↑ Cynprel's tweet analyzing the VCT Champions Teaser Go
- ↑ Reyna's email about Neon's powers being related to her emotionsGo