Valorant
Let’s delve deeper into the world of Valorant, a captivating free-to-play first-person tactical hero shooter crafted by Riot Games exclusively for Windows. This exciting game emerged from the shadows, initially known by the mysterious codename Project A back in October 2019. The journey it embarked upon took it through a closed beta phase, granting limited access to eager players on April 7, 2020, ultimately leading to its full-fledged release on June 2, 2020. However, the roots of Valorant stretch back even further, as its development journey commenced as far back as 2014.
Valorant’s design philosophy draws inspiration from the renowned Counter-Strike series, strategically weaving together a rich tapestry of mechanics to create an engaging gameplay experience. These mechanics, akin to familiar threads interwoven in a fabric, include elements like the buy menu, spray patterns, and the impact of movement on shooting accuracy.
The buy menu, a concept entrenched in the DNA of tactical shooters, finds its home in Valorant as well. It offers players the strategic choice of investing their in-game currency in weapons and equipment, giving rise to a crucial decision-making process before each round. This element of strategy adds layers of complexity, as players must weigh the potential benefits of powerful weapons against the limitations of their budget.
Another facet that Valorant borrows from its tactical shooter predecessors is the notion of spray patterns. Mastering the way bullets scatter as you fire a weapon is a skill that separates the skilled marksmen from the novices. By harnessing the knowledge of these patterns, players can hone their accuracy and become more effective in combat.
Furthermore, Valorant acknowledges the impact of movement on shooting accuracy, a concept that reflects the importance of positioning and careful maneuvering during engagements. Unlike the pinpoint accuracy of a static shooter, Valorant embraces a touch of realism by making shots less accurate when fired on the move. This imparts a sense of authenticity to the battles, urging players to make thoughtful decisions about when to stand their ground and when to reposition for a better shot.
In essence, Valorant takes the foundations established by legendary games like Counter-Strike and skillfully builds upon them to create a fresh and exhilarating experience. The culmination of its development journey, which began years prior, has resulted in a game that marries tactical decision-making, strategic resource management, and precise aiming into a captivating symphony of gameplay. As players step onto the virtual battlefield, they not only engage in a contest of reflexes but also a cerebral battle of wits, where every decision matters and every shot fired carries the weight of strategy.
Valorant Patch Notes 7.04 Revealed
AGENTS
VALORANT asks you to make tough decisions when interacting with enemy utility—shooting, dodging, and timing your moment to take a decisive action. We want everyone to come away from rounds feeling like they had the possibility of making a better play if only they were a little faster or smarter. The team has noticed that when faced with multiple pieces of utility or some of larger scale ultimates, your avenues for counterplay can sometimes be overloaded, leading you to feel unsure of what’s happening or what you could do differently next time.
While Patch 7.04 includes changes to over half of the roster, the changes are sharply focused on increasing game state clarity by making the following adjustments:
- Reducing the frequency of large area of effect of ultimates
- Reducing the amount of time utility is active in the world
- Reducing the HP of shootable utility
- We also believe the Ultimate cost updates below better align large area, high-impact ults with the pressure they place on the enemy, creating both a better pacing of the round-defining abilities and a clearer choice competition between high and low cost ults.
Though many of these changes are subtle, We hope all together they improve gamestate clarity and the sense that you have even more opportunities for your skill to shine through.
Agent |
Ability |
Change Description |
|
BREACH |
Aftershock (C) |
– Ticks reduced from 3 to 2- Damage increased from 60 to 80 |
|
Rolling Thunder (X) |
– Ultimate points increased from 8 to 9 |
|
|
BRIMSTONE |
Orbital Strike (X) |
– Ultimate points increased from 7 to 8 |
|
FADE |
Prowler (C) |
– Slightly longer time to re-equip gun after ability use |
|
GEKKO |
Mosh Pit (C) |
– Impacted area now deals 10 damage per second before exploding |
|
Wingman (Q) |
– HP reduced from 100 to 80 |
|
|
Thrash (X) |
– Thrash explosion visually improved for better clarity |
|
|
KILLJOY |
Lockdown (X) |
– Ultimate points increased from 8 to 9 |
|
Omen |
Paranoia (Q) |
– Casting Paranoia no longer imparts movement velocity |
SKYE
Skye has become a keystone of the current meta through her blend of recon and space taking utility. While we like that she can potentially unlock new comps through this combo, we think she has lacked clear weaknesses compared to her peers given the wide range of value she brings. These changes reduce the distance in which Guiding Light can provide info. Changes also helps reduce the amount of time enemies need to worry about her flash when she flies it a great distance without activating it. We’ve also reduced the health of Trailblazer and Seekers to make them slightly easier for enemies to deal with, Skye’s ultimate cost will increase to better reflect the high level of baseline value it provides.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on these updates to see if they push the choice competition between Skye and her peers into a healthy place, or if further updates are needed in either direction.
|
Guiding Light (E) |
Max duration while casting reduced from 2.5s to 2s |
|
Trailblazer (Q) |
HP reduced from 100 to 80 |
|
Seekers (X) |
– Ultimate Points increased from 7 to 8 Seeker Health decreased from 150 to 120 |
Agent |
Ability |
Change Description |
|
SOVA |
Recon Bolt (E) |
Total number of scans reduced from 3 to 2 |
|
VIPER |
Viper’s Pit (X) |
Ultimate points increased from 8 to 9 |
Astra
We’ve noticed a large power disparity between Astra’s Gravity Well and Nova Pulse. Our goal is to create clearer use cases for both abilities: Gravity Well will be Astra’s tool for controlling space, and Nova Pulse for quickly affecting an area. At the same time, we hope to reduce some of the oppressive and long duration pressure Astra’s stars produce by providing enemies a chance to push past activated Gravity Well during its windup period if they act quickly.
We’re updating Cosmic Divide to help clarify the overall game state by eliminating uncertainty around whether you or your enemies are close enough to the wall to be heard. We also think this gives Astra’s wall a clearer power profile for her and her allies to play around.
|
Gravity Well (C) |
– Startup time increased from 0.6 to 1.25 – Gravity time duration decreased from 2.75 to 2.0 |
|
Nova Pulse (Q) |
– Startup time decreased from 1.25 to 1.0 |
|
Cosmic Divide (X) |
– Audio now is blocked completely by the wall |
JETT
Since the last time we released changes to Jett, she has continued to be a mainstay of both competitive and professional play. We like that the dash changes in 4.08 pushed her to be more deliberate and tactical, but still feel that Jett is often given more reliable power windows and generous tuning than other Duelists and Agents in general.
Our goal with these changes is further sharpening Jett as the aggressive, high precision Duelist by increasing the intentionality of her ability usage and power windows. We want to maintain her unique ability to break through chokes and dash onto site, while reducing her defensive power-holding angles and her ability to reactively undo tactical mistakes with her array of quickly cast abilities.
We believe these changes align Jett’s overall power level and place in the Tactical Cycle with our other Agents, while maintaining Jett’s unique role and fantasy on the VALORANT roster. To help explain our thought process, we’ve provided context on how each change aims to support these goals, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how these changes land at all levels of play.
|
Tailwind (E) |
– Dash window decreased from 12s to 7.5s- Activation windup increased from 0.75s to 1s- Reduces power for holding defensive angles and promotes proactive use |
|
Cloudburst (C) |
– Duration decreased from 4.5s to 2.5s- Slightly longer time to re-equip gun after using the ability- Enhances Cloudburst’s speed and encourages quicker, precise decisions |
|
Updraft (Q) |
– Charges decreased from 2 to 1- Reduces excessive mobility potential and emphasizes well-timed usage |
|
Blade Storm (X) |
– Ultimate points increased from 7 to 8- Aligns the cost of Jett’s ultimate with other comparable weapon ultimates |
TRENDING
What are the new maps in Valorant Episode 7 Act 2?
As we delve into the realm of upcoming changes within Valorant’s Episode 7 Act 2, a beacon of curiosity beckons us towards the new map that shall soon grace our screens. With the pages of search results as our guide, we unveil the name “Sunset,” an intriguing addition poised to breathe fresh life into the game’s vibrant universe.
Picture, if you will, a canvas spread across the iconic cityscape of Los Angeles. This is the backdrop upon which Sunset is painted – a map that promises not only strategic battles but also an aesthetic feast for the eyes. Vibrancy and beauty intertwine within its virtual streets, creating an immersive environment that’s as visually stunning as it is tactically challenging.
As our gaze pans across the horizon of this forthcoming update, we discover that Sunset will not be confined to the shadows of its predecessors. It is set to embrace both the ranked and unrated modes, ensuring that both competitive spirits and casual explorers can partake in its offerings. Whether you’re striving for the pinnacle of skill or simply seeking to bask in the joys of discovery, Sunset holds its doors wide open.
Yet, let us not forget the existing tapestry of maps that weave the rich fabric of Valorant’s gameplay. Amidst the new, we find the familiar – Ascent, Bind, Breeze, Haven, Lotus, and Split, each a unique world unto itself, ready to be explored and conquered.
With bated breath, players can look ahead to a symphony of exploration. A new map to traverse, with its lanes and corners waiting to be mastered. But the allure goes beyond geography alone; Valorant Episode 7 Act 2 also ushers in an array of changes and updates, a promise of transformation that whispers secrets of evolving strategies and unfolding tactics.
In the end, Valorant remains a universe of possibilities, a canvas that evolves with each update, each map, and each strategic choice. As Sunset prepares to cast its glow upon our screens, we stand at the threshold of adventure, ready to immerse ourselves in the splendor of Los Angeles’ virtual streets, and to savor the fresh delights that Valorant’s Episode 7 Act 2 shall undoubtedly bring.
What is the latest episode in Valorant?
Embarking on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of Valorant, we find ourselves amidst the captivating Episode 7, the latest installment in this dynamic saga. Episodes within Valorant are structured as a trilogy of Acts, each spanning approximately half a year, resulting in a rhythm of change that dances to the tune of a six-month cadence. Presently, our focus rests on Episode 7, where the spotlight shines brightest on the second Act, an integral part of this ongoing narrative tapestry.
Circle on your calendars the date of Tuesday, August 29, 2023, for it marks the scheduled unveiling of Valorant’s Episode 7 Act 2. A moment where virtual battlegrounds shall undergo shifts and updates, reshaping the realms where tactical prowess prevails. Anticipation builds as we await this significant augmentation to the Valorant experience.
A wave of transformation is set to ripple through the agent roster, touching over half of its stalwart members. This metamorphosis promises to infuse new dynamics into the gameplay, as beloved agents embrace changes that might tip the scales of battle in unforeseen ways. As the dust of change settles, we’ll be greeted by fresh strategies, tactics, and interactions.
Yet, the alterations don’t stop there. Amidst this sea of transformation, a new realm for competition emerges – the Sunset map. This uncharted terrain holds the promise of unexplored tactics, secret corners, and a canvas for new tales of victory and defeat to be painted.
As we peer into the horizon of Valorant’s Episode 7 Act 2, there remains an air of mystery, a shroud that veils the specifics of these forthcoming changes. In due time, the official patch notes shall be unveiled, akin to a treasure map guiding us through the labyrinthine corridors of gameplay tweaks, agent adjustments, and map refinements.
In this ever-shifting landscape, Valorant remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver an experience that pulses with innovation, strategy, and camaraderie. So, let’s prepare to step onto the battlefield once more, as Valorant Episode 7 Act 2 beckons, promising a tapestry woven with the threads of change, strategy, and the unending quest for victory.
Valorant Gameplay
In the realm of gameplay, Valorant stands as a team-centric, first-person tactical hero shooter, unfurling its narrative against the backdrop of a near-future setting. Players step into the shoes of diverse Agents, each a representation of various nations and cultures spanning the globe.
Within the primary game mode, combatants are divided into attacking and defending teams, each comprising five members. These Agents wield distinctive abilities, categorized by charges, accompanied by an exceptional ultimate ability requiring accrual through eliminations, deaths, orbs, or objectives.
Every round kicks off with players equipped with a “classic” pistol and one or more charges of a “signature ability.” Further armaments and ability charges can be procured via an in-game economy system, where earnings hinge on the preceding round’s outcome, personal kills, and fulfilled objectives.
The weaponry spectrum encompasses an array of choices, encompassing secondary sidearms and primary selections like submachine guns, shotguns, machine guns, assault rifles, and sniper rifles. Each firearm, whether automatic or semi-automatic, boasts a distinct firing pattern necessitating player finesse for accurate shots.
As it stands, a roster of 22 agents is available for selection, ranging from Brimstone and Viper to Omen, Cypher, and beyond. A player’s initial foray unlocks five agents (Brimstone, Sova, Sage, Phoenix, and Jett), while the remaining roster necessitates acquisition using in-game currency christened Kingdom Credits.
These credits can be amassed through gameplay or the completion of daily/weekly tasks, subsequently facilitating the acquisition of additional agents. Notably, Kingdom Credits also serve as the gateway to acquiring cosmetic enhancements via individual agent contracts.
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