Valorant 8.11 Patch Notes Update: New Map, Agent Changes & More
Here is everything you need to know about the changes and adjustments coming in Valorant 8.11 patch notes update. It’s a big one!
Riot Games has just dropped the latest Valorant patch notes, and update 8.11 is a big one. Packed with agent balance changes, a brand new map, updated map rotation, console beta launch, and more, there’s a lot for Valorant players to unpack. Let’s dive into all the juicy details about this exciting patch and what it means for the future of the hit tactical shooter.
Valorant 8.11 Patch Notes Update
Here is the breakdown of all of the updates on Valorant:
Agent Updates
One of the main focuses of Patch 8.11 is bringing some much-needed balance changes to Valorant’s roster of Duelists. The devs aim to allow more Agents to compete with the likes of Jett and Raze in taking map control through unique methods beyond raw speed and mobility.
Iso Buffs
Iso is getting several buffs to his Double Tap (E) ability on this patch because he’s underperforming. The goal is to make Iso better at challenging contested spaces and winning opening duels by granting his shield immediately after using his signature ability.
- Iso now grants himself a shield after a 1-second animation where he can’t use his gun. A sound plays when the shield activates.
- Charges reduced from 2 to 1.
- Kill reset added (Iso gets a charge back on 2 kills).
- Iso receives a Wall Penetration tag instead of Heavy Penetration when his shield breaks, reducing the slow effect.
- Damage indicator added to show the enemy that broke Iso’s shield.
- Double Tap can be recast while active to refresh shield duration.
Neon Buffs
Neon is getting improved to make her better at mobile fights. Her slide is now more effective in combat and doesn’t cause weapon movement errors. Neon’s Fast Lane (C), High Gear (E), and Relay Bolt (Q) are all being adjusted:
- Fast Lane dissipates from behind to reduce visual noise. Audio updated to travel with the fading wall.
- Wall duration reduced from 6s to 4s.
- Dissolve duration increased from 1s to 2s.
- High Gear sprint speed increased while strafing.
- Full fuel regen reduced from 60s to 20s.
- Slide charges increased from 1 to 2. No weapon error when sliding. Second slide cost is 150.
- Equip speed out of slide changed to instant with a 0.2s buffer.
- Relay Bolt charge reduced from 2 to 1.
- Windup delay decreased from 1.1s to 0.8s.
- Concuss duration increased from 3s to 3.5s.
Reyna Rework
Reyna is getting both buffs and nerfs on this patch to reshape her kit’s power. The goal is to lessen her dominance in Ranked play, especially at low and mid ranks, while enhancing her value in coordinated team settings.
- Devour (Q) healing decreased from 100 to 50.
- Full heal time reduced from 3s to 2s. Overheal armor no longer decays.
- Dismiss (E) top speed increased. Duration reduced from 2s to 1.5s.
- Empress (X) no longer has a timer and is permanent until Reyna dies or the round ends.
Raze Nerfs
Raze’s Blast Packs (Q) are being toned down on this patch:
- No longer explode for damage/knockback when destroyed by opponents.
- Horizontal velocity reduced.
- Explosion audio updated to be audible from farther away.
Clove Nerfs
Clove’s Pick-Me-Up (C) and Not Dead Yet (X) are also being adjusted:
- Pick-Me-Up cost increased from 100 to 200.
- Duration reduced from 10s to 8s.
- Damaging Assist activation time is reduced from 10s to 6s.
- Not Dead Yet orb cost increased from 7 to 8.
- Unequip delay increased from 0.7s to 0.8s.
Abyss: A Deadly New Battlefield
Patch 8.11 launches with Valorant’s first boundary-less map Abyss, a treacherous secret fortress filled with precarious pits and elevated vantage points.
This new 5v5 spike mode arena features three lanes and two sites and looks to bring a fresh style of vertical combat and daring environmental plays to the game. Just be sure to watch your step as you maneuver around the map because one false move could send you tumbling into the depths!
Map Rotation Refresh
In addition to Abyss’ release, Valorant’s map rotation is also getting a major shakeup in 8.11. Competitive, Premier, and Deathmatch will include Ascent, Bind, Icebox, Lotus, and Sunset. Fan-favorite Haven is also making its return to the pool.
Abyss will enter Competitive with Episode 9 Act 1 and Premier slightly later in Episode 9 Act 2. Meanwhile, Breeze and Split are being vaulted from the main rotation for now.
Unrated, Swift Play, Spike Rush, and Escalation will shift to an open queue containing all maps including the new battleground. The devs are eager for feedback on these map pool changes as they continue to improve the system.
Valorant Comes To Console
Arguably the biggest addition in Patch 8.11 is the long-awaited console beta launch. Valorant is finally expanding beyond PC, and Riot has implemented a suite of features to help new recruits on Xbox and PlayStation get up to speed.
Console players will have access to a curated map pool including Abyss, Ascent, Bind, and Haven to start. A new arena will be added each patch starting with Episode 9 Act 1 to ease players in.
An updated in-game tutorial will cover the basics of Valorant’s unique gameplay, from gunplay to Agents to match format. A new optional Bot Match on Haven will also let rookies test their skills against AI opponents before diving into real matches.
The Practice Range has also been streamlined for consoles, placing players right in front of the bot gallery and moving the target dummy. PC players can expect these enhancements to come in a later update.
Performance & Quality-of-Life Improvements
Valorant’s 8.11 update also delivers some much-appreciated performance upgrades and general polish. PC players on dual-core rigs can expect smoother gameplay and faster loading times thanks to optimized CPU threading.
The in-game store has also received a visual facelift to make coordinating loadouts and reading prices easier. Ally utility, remaining armor, and general readability have all been improved to streamline the buy phase.
Expanded Communication With Pings
Valorant lives and dies by clear comms, and Patch 8.11 is enhancing the ping system to enable more nuanced callouts. The radio command wheel has been expanded with more contextual prompts, new strategic pings for attack and defense, and an on-map comm rose.
Less-used phrases have been cut and existing ones tweaked to maximize impact and efficiency. More pings now have unique VO lines to add further clarity in the heat of battle.
Premier Updates
Valorant’s burgeoning Premier scene continues to evolve with 8.11. The most skilled teams will now receive promotion notifications when they place high enough in the playoff brackets of their division.
Top squads in Open through Elite lobbies can climb the ladder to Contender status. The best 32 Contender teams will be invited to the new Invite Division for Episode 9 Act 1 to compete for a shot at joining a Challengers League.
Premier standings will also be immortalized with new promotional flair, showing off teams who earned a bump for the rest of Episode 8 Act 3.
Bug Fixes
As always, Patch 8.11 ships with the usual treasure trove of bug fixes to keep Valorant polished to a mirror sheen. Standouts include removing exploits with Killjoy’s turret and Clove’s afterlife smoke assists, tweaks to bullet whizz visibility and surface penetration, and correct language formatting for Arabic text.
That about covers all the headline changes coming in this jam-packed Valorant update! From the spicy Agent reworks to the lethal new Abyss map to the long-awaited console beta release, Patch 8.11 is poised to shake up the meta in some exciting ways!
