Major VALORANT Patch 11.08 Brings Massive Agent, Weapon, and Map Changes

Riot Games has officially revealed the first details of VALORANT patch 11.08, featuring sweeping agent balance adjustments across every class, updates to maps Pearl and Abyss, and core weapon behavior reworks. The changes were showcased in an early gameplay preview following widespread community rumors about heavy nerfs.

Patch 11.08 marks one of the most impactful balance updates in recent memory — reshaping how agents, weapons, and maps interact at every level of competitive play.

Agent Balance Changes

Riot is focusing on refining ability consistency and counterplay across all agent classes — Controllers, Initiators, Duelists, and Sentinels.

Controllers

Omen

• Smoke cooldown increased 30s → 40s
• Flash range decreased, speed increased
• Paranoia now weaker: affected players can see 7m (up from 5m)

Astra

• Ability cooldown increased to 60s
• Vulnerability duration after stuns reduced

Brimstone

• Stim Beacon now grants enhanced effects to allies

Initiators

Fade

• Haunt duration 2s → 1.5s
• Nightfall size reduced
• Prowler-affected players can see 7m (up from 5m)

Breach

• Fault Line stun duration reduced
• Flashpoint blind duration 2s → 2.25s
• Rolling Thunder area significantly reduced

Kay/O

• FLASH/DRIVE blind 1.5s → 2.25s
• NULL/CMD fire rate now matches Brimstone’s Stim Beacon and Reyna’s ultimate

Gekko

• All abilities after pickup now recover in 20s
• Wingman HP 80 → 60
• Thrash HP 200 → 180

Duelists

Yoru

• Gatecrash HP reduced
• Activation now emits a sound from Yoru’s location
• Ultimate limited to teleport use only
• Blindside and Fakeout flash duration 1.75s → 1.5s

Neon

• Sprint duration 12s → 16s
• Energy recharge rate adjusted 20s → 60s
• Relay Bolt concussion standardized to 2.5s

Waylay

• Debuff duration 4s → 3s
• Ultimate radius reduced; wind-up shortened
• Movement bonus reduced
• Enemies hit by Ultimate slowed 6s (down from 7s)

ISO

• Ultimate radius reduced

All Duelists

• Most concussions standardized to 2.5s
• Combat Sims standardized — slower reload, draw, and recovery speeds

Sentinels

Sage

• Barrier Orb HP 800 → 600, cost 400 → 300 credits

Vyse

• Shear easier to detect
• Razorvine HP 40 → 20
• Steel Garden radius 32.5m → 26m, activation time 3.4s → 4.4s
• Arc Rose no longer emits sound cue if the enemy is blinded

Deadlock

• Barrier Mesh HP per block 560 → 480, cost 400 → 300 credits

Killjoy

• Alarmbot HP 50 → 20
• Turret reactivation delay increased

Cypher

• Trapwire now slows instead of concussing
• Player no longer revealed upon activation
• Setup time shortened

All Sentinels

• Cooldown for destroyable signature abilities increased

Weapon Adjustments

Rifles (Phantom, Vandal, Bulldog, Guardian)

• First-shot accuracy improved through more predictable “Protective Bullet” behavior
• Spray control enhanced for better sustained accuracy

Spectre

• Improved burst and single-shot control
• Increased spray stability and accuracy

Stinger

• Spray pattern starts earlier but retains prior recoil behavior

General Gunplay

• Changes reward precision and spray mastery, emphasizing aim training and recoil control

🗺️ Map Updates

Abyss

• B Site restructured for better post-plant and defense balance
• Mid area reworked to streamline fights and add new rotation routes
• Aims to promote dynamic retakes and creative strategies

Pearl

• B Site redesign reduces long-range post-plant dominance
• New geometry adds defender-friendly hold options
• Overall, the site now favors balanced engagements for both teams

Overall Map Goals

• Better attack/defense balance
• More strategic depth and variety

🎨 New Skins

New weapon skins were teased in the patch 11.08 preview, though release dates and bundle details remain unconfirmed. Riot has yet to clarify whether they will be part of the Battle Pass or sold separately.

📅 Upcoming Broadcast

The full patch notes for VALORANT 11.08 are expected in the coming days. Riot will host a special broadcast on October 13 via FNS’s Twitch channel, providing a detailed look at all agent, weapon, and map changes coming with the update.