KAY/O Receives Buffs in Patch 10.06 — Developers Boost the Agent’s Viability in Valorant

In the latest patch 10.06 for Valorant, the agent KAY/O received significant improvements that are expected to enhance his effectiveness and role in team engagements. The update affected both his primary ability, FLASH/DRIVE, and his ultimate, NULL/cmd.

FLASH/DRIVE Changes: More Control and Speed

One of the key improvements is the adjustment of the grenade’s activation time after a bounce — now set at 0.8 seconds, allowing for quicker and more effective blinding of opponents in dynamic situations. Additionally, the maximum duration of the blind effect from an underhand throw has been increased from 1.25 to 1.5 seconds, giving the agent more opportunities in close combat and when taking control of contested areas.

Furthermore, the range of the voice alert for deploying the flash has been increased from 20 to 50 meters, enabling teammates to react more swiftly to KAY/O’s actions, especially during coordinated pushes. Another important change is the reduction in the time required to stow the grenade from 0.85 to 0.6 seconds, thereby reducing the downtime between ability activation and re-engaging in battle.

Lastly, a new indicator for KAY/O’s flash has been added to the minimap, enhancing team coordination by allowing allies to track the ability’s deployment more accurately.

NULL/cmd Improvements: Faster Return to the Fight

KAY/O’s ultimate ability also received an upgrade — now, allies can revive him in just 1 second instead of the previous 2 seconds. This change makes the agent more resilient in clutch situations and allows for a quicker return to the action after his ultimate is used.

Expected Impact of the Patch

Prior to patch 10.06, KAY/O was considered one of the less effective agents in the game, with win rates often below 45% in many ranks. At the time of the patch release, data from platforms like GameLeap indicated his win rate was around 49.07%, and his pick rate was approximately 1.93%.

Although the update was released recently and precise statistical impacts are not yet available, it is anticipated that the improvements will boost KAY/O’s effectiveness and popularity in both competitive and professional settings. The changes are expected to strengthen his standing across all levels of play and encourage more players to experiment with his unique playstyle.

Conclusion

Patch 10.06 represents a significant step in reinvigorating KAY/O’s role in the meta. By focusing on enhancing team synergy, reaction speed, and overall versatility, the developers have provided a compelling incentive for players to reconsider KAY/O. If the positive trend continues, it is likely that upcoming tournaments and ranked matches will see an increased adoption of KAY/O as a primary agent.