VALORANT Patch 9.08

Overview

Welcome to the start of Episode 9 Act III. Let’s get into it.

The previously announced Sunset changes are now playable. Also playable is our newest Team Deathmatch map called “Glitch.”

AGENT UPDATES

As you have mastered Gekko’s utility since his last buff in patch 7.12 , we’ve noticed that his core play pattern of using and reclaiming his buddies has little to no downside. These changes to his globules put pressure on Gekko to more quickly reclaim them, and also allow for more counterplay for Gekko’s opponents to punish him if he’s too reckless.

Dizzy and Wingman are each getting improvements to their overall reliability to reduce cases where you hear or see them target and debuff an enemy, only to find that enemy is unaffected. These changes are targeted at addressing inconsistent behavior rather than a direct power increase for Gekko.

• Globules
• Reclaim time increased 1s >>> 1.5s
• Dizzy
• Dizzy’s targeting algorithm has been updated to be more reliable.
• Dizzy’s goop flash now also blinds the minimap of affected players.
• Wingman
• When Wingman turns into a globule after planting the Spike there are unique visuals.
• Thrash
• Blind abilities like Gekko’s Dizzy and Vyse’s Arc Rose will now display the blind effect on Yoru’s Fakeout clone as if he was a real Agent.
• Vyse will play her Successful Blind celebration lines when blinding Yoru’s Fakeout clone.
• Cypher’s Neural Theft will show the Yoru’s Fakeout clone.
• Clove’s Meddle will now show the decay effect on Yoru’s Fakeout clone.
• Jett’s Tailwind and Skye’s Trailblazer will no longer stop at the window in Ascent. Instead, they will bust through and continue movement onto the other side.

COSMETICS UPDATES

• We’ve made some updates to several scope reticles to make them more clean and less distracting. Here is the list of updated skins: Araxys Operator, Valiant Hero Operator, Reaver Operator, Gothic Marshal. Thanks to Derke for the feedback!

MAP UPDATES

Introducing “Glitch”, VALORANT’s Newest Team Deathmatch Map

We’re updating Sunset’s B Site to address defensibility, post plant, and provide more ways to play on site. The B Main pivot box was adding a ton of pressure during post plant so we’ve opted to simplify the cover here. You can still play B Main during post plant, but it should now be easier to manage for retakers. A particular Cypher trip has also been removed with these changes.

• A 5v5 map that puts you in a dual-themed arena. This is the 5th TDM map and takes place in a “glitched out” Maxbot arena.
• Glitch is playable via the “Team Deathmatch” game mode queue.
• Pearl and Split are BACK in the COMPETITIVE QUEUE
• Icebox and Lotus are OUT of the COMPETITIVE QUEUE
• B Main
• After
• B Main Exterior
• After
• B Site
• After
• B Site Back
• After
• B Boba
• After
• Mid Courtyard
• After

BUG FIXES

• Abyss

PREMIER UPDATES

• At the end of this Stage, the top 16 teams in Invite will remain in Invite. All other Invite teams will be demoted at the start of the next Stage. These rules are listed on the Standings tab.
• If your team cannot be placed into a zone at the start of the next Stage, your Team Owner will be prompted to select a zone.
• Divisions other than Invite will not have demotion, and teams will still be promoted or be seeded into a division as normal at the start of next Stage.
• Contender Eligibility updates
• Contender Eligibility for 2024 expires at the end of Stage E9A3.
• To be Contender Eligible in 2025, you and your team must perform a qualifying action in Stage E9A3 or at any point in 2025.
• Qualifying actions include:
• Reach Immortal 3 or higher peak rank in Competitive.
• Play in a Playoff match in Elite 5.
• Contender Eligibility for 2025 expires at the end of the last Stage in 2025.

BUG FIXES

• Fixed an issue where you would see a Competitor Crest after playing a Practice match on a brand new team, despite not having earned any points