Riot Games posted the latest Valorant patch notes 1.08 containing agent changes, weapons, game updates, and bug fixes.
The series of Valorant patch notes this past few weeks contain nerfs to the current meta agents. The previous patch changed Sage and toned her down. But, Riot Games left Raze untouched last patch considering that she is one of the strongest Agents right now.
It seems like the developers needed more time to fix Raze and create a skillset that is not too weak nor too powerful. Her pre-patch skillset is pretty much overpowered considering that she has mobility and damage abilities.
Raze changes are now live
Here are the main changes to Raze’s Blast Pack:
- Initial damage reduced to 15 with a .2 meter inner radius, falling off to 5 minimum damage
- Once the satchel lands, it arms after .5 seconds, increasing it’s maxed damage to 50
- Shooting the blast pack causes it to detonate, dealing its current damage amount
- Satchel no longer does damage to allies
According to Riot, “Raze’s Blast Pack has been dishing out damage without giving enemies much counterplay.”
“This change should help make it very clear when Blast Pack’s damage poses a threat while maintaining the utility aspects of the Blast Pack that players have begun to master,” Riot Games added.
“The blast pack now does not ‘fizzle’ when shot and will still do damage, meaning it should still be approached carefully if in lethal range,” stated Riot.
The changes will affect how Raze deals huge damage. Unlike before, opponents may now have a little bit of time to counter her skillset.
Guardian buff makes it more viable
The latest patch includes a change to the Guardian. The new weapon update buffs the semi-automatic rifle.
Players may now purchase Guardian for 2400 from the previous 2500. But the massive boost is not the price.
Guardian now has a better fire rate. Riot Games increased its rate of fire from 4.75 to 5.25 rounds per second.
The weapon recovery is also improved. It now has a .2925 after 3 bullets value instead of the 0.35 after 3 bullets.
The rate of fire changes might seem like a minor improvement. But, it makes it a viable option in a meta dominated by the Phantom and Vandal.
“We don’t think the Guardian can (or should) compete directly with the Phantom or Vandal but we’d like it to have a place where players can feel good opting into the gun at the new price,” said Riot Games.
“(It) is a competitive purchase in certain economic circumstances or map scenarios, and isn’t as punishing when an enemy gets close,” it added.
Valorant Quality-of-life and map changes
The latest patch brought in QoL changes into the game such as minimap performance improvements.
Tournament observers will see a pop-up timer whenever in the point of view of a blinded player. But there will be an option to turn on the full blind option in the settings for the “masochists” as Riot Games puts it.
The social panel gets a minor change as well. It now pauses whenever someone is hovering over it.
Lastly, the verbiage has been updated to make it closer to tournament rules.
Valorant map choices are random. There are instances wherein players land on Haven, then get Haven on their next match.
Players do not like this mechanic and Riot Games is changing that. The map rotation now deprioritizes the previous map of the game.
For example, if a player lands on Bind, then it will be the last priority on their next queue.
Bugs were also sorted out in the latest patch. However, players must be aware that sometimes some bugs still slip out of the developer’s hands such as the previous Valorant Omen bug.
Images used courtesy of VALORANT/YouTube Screenshot, Valorant