Valorant Patch 8.0 Notes: Killjoy Nerfed with Several Map Updates

The first update of the year, Valorant Patch 8.0 ships nerfs for a variety of agents while including much-hyped map changes to the game.

The game introduces it’s first weapon since it’s launch, a mid-ranged sniper rifle called the Outlaw. The Outlaw costs 2400 Credits and is available in the store starting with this update. The 6 and a half minute long cinematic shows the Outlaw weapon in action, with Omen saying ‘Sova, I think you will like this”, we think the community surely will. The Outlaw sits between the Marshal and Operator Sniper Rifles.

The blog post reads that the Outlaw is a “A high impact, double-barreled sniper rifle built for do or die playmaking.” The gun is a Semi-Automatic rifle, with a mag size of 2 bullets. There is a longer reload when its empty, and there is a large amount of difference in the reload time when you have a single bullet left in your mag. So shooting and reloading would be a good strategy if you always wish to be on your feet with this new sniper rifle.

Valorant Patch 8.0 Notes Agent Updates

Deadlock

The Sonic Sensors are now recallable in round, and the pickup distance has been increased to 27 metres. It takes less amount of time to concuss an enemy, while the agent and her allies can now hear the Sonic Sensor audio queue when its area of effect.

Increased the max length Barrier Mesh walls increased to 10m as the developers feel that this will  allow it to divide much larger spaces than is possible with comparable utility and make it more reliable at fully blocking chokes when deployed quickly.

Killjoy

“Reducing its vision cone should push Killjoy to make clearer choices about what area of the map her Turret will cover, while the Turret’s updated visuals should aid you in quickly understanding what areas it will protect.” said the blog post.

A list of changes have been made to Killjoy’s Turret (E), ability, such as the vision radius have been reduced. The Vision radius for the Turret has been reduced from 180 degrees to 100 degrees The developers have confirmed the addition of a a representation of the Turret’s vision cone on Killjoy’s minimap when she is placing the Turret.

Valorant Patch 8.0 Map Changes

Doors Refactor

• We have upgraded the tech behind our interactable doors to polish some of your interactions with others and with Agent abilities.

Lotus

A Main

• More room has been added to A Main along with a set of boxes to give Defenders some more options to fight for A Rubble control.
• The double stack of boxes outside A Stairs has been changed to non-penetrable to reduce the likelihood of being spammed.

A Link

• The devs add room near the breakable door. Making it easier for players to fight out from inside the connector room.

Rotating Doors

• Rotating doors now take 10 seconds to fully complete their spin, up from 8 previously. 8 seconds was not enough time to use utility through the doors or fight, and make it through the doors on the same rotation. The extra time should allow for more fights to happen through the doors, and most everyone to get through the door on time.

Valorant Patch 8.0 Notes Mode Updates

Team Deathmatch

The developers felt that Sheriff might be a little overpowered using his weapon ecosystem in the Stage 2, and as a result that has caused his other loadouts to decrease in popularity. Other weapons and loadouts should now be more “viable when in an engagement against Sheriff”

Sheriff Loadout at Stage 2 has been changed to Light Shield from Heavy Shield.

Map Rotation

• With the latest update every mode in Valorant with the exception of Team Deathmatch and Custom games, will use the Competitive map rotation.
• The current Valorant Map rotation includes 7 maps, which include Icebox, Lotus, Sunset, Breeze, Ascent, Bind, Split.

Valorant Patch 8.0 Premier Mode Changes

• The changes also include a list of new updates to the game’s Premier mode.
• The update has added a new feature that will allow Owners of teams to be able to  designate Team Captains.
• Team Captains would now be able to invite and remove team members. The Team Owner cannot be removed by them, however.
• Players can view standings from all the other divisions and Stages of Premier using the drop-down menu located from the Standings tab.
• Seeded divisions are visible before a player’s first match.
• The threshold to qualify for the playoffs has been switched back to 675 Premier Score.
•  The developers have also updated the EMEA zones.

Valorant Patch 8.0 Release Date and Time

According to the official confirmation from Riot, Valorant Patch 8.0 is scheduled to hit live servers across all regions on Monday, January 8. The update is slated to arrive at 2 PM UTC for players. Although we haven’t received any official time-slot from Riot Games regarding a release time for the massive patch, we expect it to be rolled out gradually for each region starting from 2:00 PM UTC.

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