Now that Valorant's Episode 9 Act 3 is starting soon, patch 9.08 has started to roll out. This is a significant update that brings both new content and adjusts several agents and even maps.
The patch notes have already been revealed and here is everything you need to know before the update drops and the new season starts.
Release date
Patch 9.08 for Valorant is scheduled to come out on Tuesday, October 22/Wednesday, October 23, depending on the region you currently play on.
The rollout started around 6:00 am PT for North America, LATAM, and Brazil servers. European users will have to wait until Wednesday at 4:00 am BST.
Patch notes
Here are the complete patch notes for update 9.08 that were posted on Valorant's official website:
All Platforms
Agent Updates
Gekko
- Globules
- Reduced time in world 20s >>> 15s
- Reclaim time increased 1s >>> 1.5s
- Dizzy
- Time active after being thrown and forming is reduced 1.5s >>> 1s.
- Dizzy’s targeting algorithm has been updated to be more reliable.
- Dizzy’s goop flash now also blinds the minimap of affected players.
- Wingman
- Increased the angle of the cone concuss area 45 degrees >>> 65 degrees.
- When Wingman turns into a globule after planting the Spike there are unique visuals.
- Thrash
- Ultimate points increased 7 >>> 8
Yoru
- 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.
Skye and Jett
- 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.
Cosmetic 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
- 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.
Map Rotations
- Pearl and Split are BACK in the COMPETITIVE QUEUE
- Icebox and Lotus are OUT of the COMPETITIVE QUEUE
Sunset
- 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.
Bug Fixes
- Abyss
- The Spike will now spawn correctly at B Danger if it falls off the map.
PC
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.
- Demoted teams will seed into the zone they originally promoted from. Next Stage, Team Owners can change their zone in the Team Settings dropdown anytime before the team plays a match.
- 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
- If you have five Contender Eligible players on your team, you are guaranteed to place into Contender Division.
- 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:
- Play a Weekly or Playoff match on a team in Contender or Invite Division.
- 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
Premier
- 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
We have a handy agents tier list here on the site where you can see which characters are at the top of the meta after every patch.
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