Riot Games has rolled out Valorant Patch 9.06, bringing significant updates to agents, gameplay mechanics, and maps, while also addressing player behavior and social interactions. With changes aimed at improving the competitive experience, both veteran players and newcomers will find useful updates in this patch. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest patch.
Table of Contents
Agent Updates: New Interactions with Ascent’s Glass Window
Several agents with wall-based abilities are receiving important tweaks to their interactions on the Ascent map. The update changes how walls interact with glass windows, providing more strategic depth:
- Phoenix’s Blaze and Neon’s Fast Lane will now break the window if their cast point hits the glass. However, the walls themselves won’t interact with the window further.
- Harbor’s High Tide will no longer break the glass, creating new opportunities for strategic use.
- Chamber’s Trademark, Cypher’s Trapwire, and Killjoy’s Lockdown will no longer cause windows to shatter if placed too close, preserving their utility without unintended destruction.
Additionally, Brimstone’s Orbital Strike and Vyse’s Steel Garden have undergone an important audio update. The AOE windup/activation sound will now give players better directional cues, helping them escape more effectively during attacks.
Gameplay System Updates: Improved Voting Mechanics
In response to player feedback, Riot Games has made a key change to the draw voting system. AFK players will no longer be counted in draw vote calculations, ensuring more accurate voting and preventing inactive players from skewing results.
Map Updates: Quality of Life Improvements on Haven
On the Haven map, placing utility items like Vyse’s Arc Rose and Cypher’s Trapwire on crates has been made easier, offering more consistent placement options for players.
Player Behavior and Social Updates: Stricter Penalties for Comms Abuse
The latest patch also addresses comms abuse with increased penalties for repeat offenders. Players exhibiting negative behavior in voice chat or text will face stricter consequences following manual evaluations of their actions. This change aims to create a more positive and respectful communication environment in Valorant.
Additionally, a new update to the voice chat system improves reconnections after unexpected disconnects, ensuring smoother communication during matches.
Weapon Updates: Enhanced Weapon Skin Identification
A notable change in Patch 9.06 is the introduction of Weapon Skin names to the in-game HUD when switching or picking up weapons. This small but impactful feature will help players quickly identify the skins they are using, adding a touch of personalization to gameplay.
Bug Fixes: Agents, Cosmetics, and Maps
The patch addresses a variety of bug fixes, including:
- Deadlock’s Sonic Sensors no longer staying active after her death.
- Fixed interactions with Cypher’s Trapwire and Vyse’s Shear.
- Cosmetic fixes, such as the third-person animation for the Nocturnum Scythe, have been corrected for improved visual consistency.
New Player Tips for PC Gamers
In an effort to assist new players, Riot Games has introduced a New Player Tip system for PC users. This system provides in-game advice based on player actions, offering gameplay fundamentals and advanced strategy suggestions. Existing players can opt to turn off these tips via the settings menu.
Console Updates: Final Map Added and Aim Assist Adjustments
The final legacy map, Fracture, has now been added to Unrated and Swift Play queues on console, completing the map catalog for console players. Additionally, Riot Games has removed aim assist from certain abilities that weren’t intended to target opposing players, refining the competitive balance across platforms.
