Valorant 9.0 Patch Notes Update: Iso Nerfs, Bug Fixes & More
Here is everything you need to know about the changes and adjustments coming in Valorant 9.0 patch notes update.
Valorant’s latest 9.0 patch has just dropped, ushering in Episode 9 Act 1 with a slew of updates and changes. This patch brings nerfs to Agent Iso, introduces a new Premier division called Invite, and launches Competitive Mode on consoles for the first time. Let’s look into the key highlights of this significant Valorant update.
Valorant 9.0 Patch Notes Update
Here is the breakdown of all of the updates on Valorant:
AGENT UPDATES
The 9.0 patch for Valorant offers players some new agent updates, as usual:
All Platforms
Riot added new conversation voice lines between Agents that include: Phoenix, Harbor, Brimstone, Yoru, Raze, Iso, Sage, Neon, Gekko, Skye, Deadlock, Omen, Kayo, and Reyna.
PC
One notable change in the 9.0 patch is the nerf to Agent Iso’s abilities that aims to increase the thoughtfulness and context around when Iso activates Double Tap, making counterplay more effective.
- Double Tap
- Duration: 20s >>> 12s
- The signature kill reset was removed
Console
Sova’s Owl Drone’s HP: 60 >>> 100
COMPETITIVE UPDATES
Exciting news for console Valorant players – Competitive Mode is finally arriving with the 9.0 patch!
PC
Abyss was added to the Ranked map pool.
Console
Players can now queue up and climb the ranks, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Immortal Leaderboards and even the coveted Radiant rank. The initial Competitive Mode map pool on consoles will include Abyss, Ascent, Bind, Haven, and Sunset, with more maps to be added in future patches.
GAMEPLAY SYSTEM UPDATES
The 9.0 patch notes update brings various gameplay enhancements:
Console
- Added a new “Controls Preset” selection screen upon first boot-up prior to loading into the tutorial. You can now choose between our VALORANT-specific controls preset or a more familiar, TRADITIONAL console FPS preset as your starting controls scheme. You can easily change your preset and customize controls at any point once in-game through the Settings menu.
- Polished sound transitions between Focus and ADS to better reflect the aim state you’re transitioning into.
- Crosshair presets have been updated to reflect a better variety of usable crosshairs.
- Updated the Fighter controls preset so that Crouch is a Hold action instead of a Toggle action.
- Added holistic Aim Sensitivity slider.
- Added the ability to enter precision mode while in control settings to adjust sensitivity sliders by .1 increments.
PLAYER BEHAVIOR UPDATES
There are some player behavior updates added to this patch.
Console
In addition to removing zero-tolerance terms from text chat, people who repeatedly engage in this behavior will see increased penalties on their transgressions.
PREMIER UPDATES
Valorant’s Premier mode is expanding with the introduction of the Invite Division!
PC
- Teams in Contender that earned a promotion in Stage E8A3 are in the new Invite Division, where finishing the Stage at a high enough rank will earn you an opportunity to make it into a Challengers League.
- Contender and Invite Divisions play a little differently:
- Strict rematch protection in weekly matches prevents you from ever matching against the same team more than once in a Stage.
- If we can’t find you an appropriate match during the queue window, you’ll be given a Bye. Byes award a match win and 100 points.
- Losses award 0 points.
- Finals in playoffs are Best of 3 matchups.
- There are some extra roster restrictions for Contender and Invite Division teams.
- For all the details on new rules in Contender and Invite, check out our
- updated Everything You Need to Know About Premier article.
SOCIAL UPDATES
Some social updates are also added to the latest patch:
PC
When you add a friend, you can now paste or type a full Riot ID (including tagline) into the “Riot ID” field and it will automatically split the data into the “Riot ID” and “tagline” fields.
Console
- Riot updated the communications menu so it’s easier to manage team and party voice on the fly.
- Added Voice Chat to the Settings page. Now you can tailor your mic behavior and voice settings to suit your setup.
BUG FIXES
The 9.0 patch also brings various gameplay enhancements and bug fixes.
Agents
- PC
- Fixed an issue where Iso’s shield hitbox could be misaligned.
- Console
- Fixed an issue with Jett’s Tailwind (diagonal dash) that was reducing the dash length.
Competitive System
- Console
- Fixed an issue in Team Deathmatch where you would incorrectly see DRAW as a final result in EOG screens.
- Added specific scoreboard screens for Team Deathmatch and Deathmatch.
Gameplay System
- All Platforms
- Fixed a particle issue when using ADS on the Level 3 and 4 Mystbloom collection.
- Fixed an issue when exiting Cypher’s Spycam that caused Cypher’s hands to stutter for Spectators.
- Console
- Fixed issue where both Focus and ADS sounds would play during transitions.
- Fixed Leave Game menu persisting through AFK idling.
- Fixed animation bug with Leave Game Menu.
Maps
- All Platforms – ABYSS
- Fixed several unintended boost positions.
- Fixed bugs allowing players to get under the map.
- A Site cover should now properly appear in Omen and Astra smoke targeting world.
- Fixed an Omen exploit allowing him to get between the spawn barriers.
Social
- Console
- Fixed an issue where the friends list would sometimes display inaccurate platform information for friends.
KNOWN ISSUES
While the 9.0 patch brings exciting changes, there are still some known issues that Riot Games is actively working on:
General
- Console
- When navigating Surrender menus, there’s a chance your controls can become locked for an entire round. Due to this, we’ve elected to disable the Surrender and Remake menus until we can properly fix the issue. Draw will remain functional.
Premier
- PC
- When changing the Stage in the dropdown on the standings page, the content doesn’t refresh. To see accurate standings for past Stages, change the Stage, then change division or zone and the content will update.
- The standings page sometimes fails to update, and you may see fewer teams than expected. Click on another tab in the Premier Hub and then return to standings to fix the issue.
- If you are in Contender or Invite and are awarded a Bye during Weekly matches, you will not see that match recorded in their Premier Match History tab. You will be awarded a win and 100 Premier Score as expected, and that is reflected correctly on the standings.
As Valorant starts Episode 9, players can now enjoy new competitive changes. The map pool now includes Abyss, and Competitive Mode is available on consoles. Iso has been weakened, and Premier mode now has an Invite Division.
The 9.0 patch from Riot Games keeps improving Valorant, offering an always-changing tactical shooter experience. Keep an eye out for more updates here or on their official website!
