The Episode 8 Act 3 got the Valorant new Patch 8.08 focusing on Agent balancing, specifically Viper and Cypher. Moreover, the Valorant patch brings a new Act for Premier mode and various bug fixes. In this article, we will break down all the changes part of this Valorant new patch.
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Valorant Agent Updates
While Cypher has solidified his role as a Sentinel, his stalling power felt excessive. This is one of the reasons why Cypher has gotten major updates before the major tournaments. To counter this:
- Trapwire (C): Re-arm time increased (1s to 2s) and slow duration reduced (2s to 1.25s). This gives enemies more time to react and potentially escape.
- Spycam (E): Enemies being actively watched by Cypher will now hear a looping audio cue, promoting counterplay.
Cypher is not the only agent receiving major updates. Viper’s dominance in pro play and overall strength have led developers to nerf their abilities. The following abilities have been nerfed for the new Act:
- Smoke uptime: Reduced max uptime on individual smoke sources (15s to 12s) and increased minimum fuel needed for activation. This encourages more deliberate smoke placement and fuel management.
- Poison Cloud (Q): Now retrievable only during the Buy Phase, emphasizing strategic placement.
- Snake Bite (C): Reduced charges to 1 and increased price (200 to 300). However, the duration is increased (5.5s to 6.5s) to ensure lethality with proper placement.
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Premier Valorant Update
Valorant’s latest patch brings exciting news for Premier mode players. A new Act has begun, introducing a promotion system! The specifics of each division and the requirements for promotion are now clearly displayed on the standings page. By achieving these requirements, players can secure a spot at least one division higher in the next Act.
Additionally, the Premier Score threshold for playoff qualification has been standardized across all divisions. Now, regardless of your current rank, reaching a score of 600 will guarantee your eligibility for the playoffs. These changes aim to make Premier mode more competitive and rewarding for players of all skill levels.
Bug Fixes in Valorant
Like every Valorant new patch update, in this Valorant patch, there are a few Bug Fixes and Quality-of-life updates made to the iconic gameplay:
- Resolved issues with inaccurate line-of-sight checks for abilities like Phoenix’s Blaze and Viper’s Toxic Screen.
- Addressed AI (e.g., Killjoy’s Turret) detecting players through Harbor’s High Tide.
- Fixed visual glitches with Clove’s icons and Cypher’s disabled Trapwire.
- Resolved map exploits (Split) and gameplay bugs (footsteps not registering while slowed by Sage’s Slow Orb).
- The premier mode bug where practice matches didn’t lock divisions has been fixed.
This Valorant new patch aims to create a more balanced Agent meta, particularly for Viper and Cypher. The Premier mode update encourages competitive play, and the bug fixes enhance the overall gameplay experience.