Valorant Patch 9.08

The release of VALORANT's 9.08 update marks the beginning of Episode 9 Act 3, introducing several key changes to the game. Players can look forward to a new Battle Pass, a fresh Team Deathmatch map, and an updated shop bundle. The patch also brings significant gameplay adjustments, particularly impacting the agent Gekko and the revitalized map Sunset.

As the update rolls out, these enhancements are expected to add a new dynamic to the gameplay experience. Both new and returning players will need to navigate these changes, which aim to refresh strategies and maintain the competitive balance within VALORANT.

Adjustments Across All Platforms in VALORANT Update 9.08

Enhancements for Characters

Significant adjustments have been made to Gekko, making a notable impact on gameplay. The duration that Globules remain in the world is now reduced from 20 seconds to 15 seconds, while the time required to reclaim them has increased from 1 second to 1.5 seconds. The Dizzy ability undergoes alterations too, with its active time dropping from 1.5 seconds to 1 second after being thrown. Moreover, its targeting algorithm has been improved for reliability, and players hit by its goop flash will now experience a blinded minimap.

In the case of the Wingman ability, the area affected by its concussion has expanded, increasing the cone angle from 45 degrees to 65 degrees. Furthermore, unique visuals are introduced for Wingman when it transforms into a globule after executing the Spike plant. Regarding Thrash, the ultimate cost is now raised from 7 to 8 points.

Yoru's interaction with various abilities is also fine-tuned. Abilities like Gekko’s Dizzy and Vyse’s Arc Rose now display the blind effect on Yoru’s Fakeout clone as with any other Agent. Vyse will audibly celebrate a successful blind, even against the Fakeout clone, and Cypher’s Neural Theft will reveal Yoru’s duplicate. Additionally, Clove’s Meddle will exhibit decay effects on Yoru's clone. For specific abilities like Jett’s Tailwind and Skye’s Trailblazer, movement through the Ascent window is enabled, allowing them to continue on the opposite side.

Modifications to Battle Arenas

The latest patch introduces substantial alterations to the Sunset map, marking a key highlight of this update. Adjustments to Sunset come alongside changes to the current map rotation, enhancing overall gameplay experience. These updates aim to refresh the tactical environment and provide new strategic opportunities for players.

Changes Exclusive to PC in VALORANT Update 9.08

Updates for Premier

The Premier mode in VALORANT undergoes significant changes with the commencement of Episode 9 Act 3's Premier season. This update unveils a fresh schedule and various modifications within the competitive framework. At the conclusion of this Stage, the top 16 teams in the Invite division will preserve their status, while remaining teams will face demotion, as detailed in the Standings section.

Teams demoted will return to the zone from which they originally advanced. In the forthcoming Stage, team leaders have the option to alter their zone in the Team Settings menu before any matches are played. If a team cannot be automatically placed into a zone for the new Stage, team leaders will receive a prompt to choose a zone manually. Divisions other than Invite will not face demotion, with teams continuing to advance or be positioned in a division as usual at the start of the next Stage.

The update also brings changes to Contender Eligibility. Teams consisting of five Contender Eligible members will secure a spot in the Contender Division. The eligibility criteria for Contenders for 2024 will end with Stage E9A3. In order to maintain Contender Eligibility for 2025, teams must partake in a qualifying action during Stage E9A3 or any time in 2025.

Qualifying actions include playing a match, either Weekly or Playoff, in the Contender or Invite Division, reaching a peak rank of Immortal 3 or higher in Competitive mode, or participating in a Playoff match in the Elite 5 division. The eligibility for Contender status in 2025 will expire at the conclusion of the final Stage within the same year.

These updates exclusively affect PC players, with no changes implemented for console users in this patch.