Episode 8, Act 1 of VALORANT is already well underway, with the first new patch finally being officially released by Riot Games on January 23, 2024. This latest update will bring some gameplay updates to three fan-favorite agents, as well as some much-needed bug fixes.

The beginning of a new act means a complete reset of the ranked system and a clean slate for all players. If you need guidance on how to solo-climb the ranked ladder, check out our Valorant agent tier list. To get the best possible gameplay experience, be sure to check out our best crosshair codes and learn from the pros by using their gear and in-game settings.

Below you'll find the full patch notes for Valorant update 8.01, including all bug fixes and major changes coming to Riot Games' FPS.

VALORANT 8.01 PATCH NOTES

Map Updates

Breeze Map: A Hall reopened

  • Riot Games are still observing and gathering feedback on the most recent Breeze changes. While Riot are satisfied with the simplifications to A Main, Mid and B Site, they've noticed attacking can feel overly restrictive due to the changes in addition to the closure of A Hall. As a result, A Hall is being opened to give attackers more options while retaining the rest of the changes to the map.

Agent Updates

Iso

Riot are tweaking Iso to apply more significance to the combat advantage players' gain from using Double Tap (E).

Double Tap (E)

  • Shootable orb duration increased from two seconds to three seconds.
  • Initial buff and shield duration increased 15 seconds to 20 seconds.
  • Shield width reduced from 120 to 100.

Reduction in the shield width should provide a bigger combat advantage, allowing players to be slightly harder for enemies to spot. The shootable orb duration being increased will allow players time to deal with nearby threats while claiming their shields.

Contingency (C)

  • Cost reduced from 250 to 200.

The cost of Contingency has been reduced to reflect its current value in the game and in the meta.

Raze

Riot Games have decided to take a look at Raze's immense mobility, mostly through her Blast Pack, which allows her to randomly become a threat to enemies. 

Sometimes these sound effects would go unheard, especially when there's a lot of gunfire and action happening in the area. This new update should make Raze easier to hear, allowing for less sneakier plays. 

Blast Pack (Q)

  • Audio for Raze's Blast Pack (Q) is now louder for enemies when she's traveling towards them. 

Skye

Removing the recharge on Skye's flash ability means players will now have to be more intentional when throwing it, allowing for more critical decision-making. 

Guiding Light (E)

  • Guiding Light no longer regenerates charges during a round.
  • Guiding Light now automatically activates the flash at the end of its lifetime.

Seekers (X)

  • When a Seeker gets close to its target, the target player will now get a yellow directional warning indicator.

Gameplay Systems Updates

Jump Throw Normalization

Riot Games have implemented a feature to make jump throw lineup behavior more consistently reproducible following some player behavior updates. Now, when players press the throw projectile input within 100 ms of jump start, the projectile will consistently have the same amount of velocity imparted from the thrower and, as a result, always land consistently in the same location.

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Bug Fixes

Iso

  • After eliminating practice bots in the Practice Range, Iso’s energy orbs will now spawn. They will still not spawn in Shooting Tests.

Reyna

  • After eliminating practice bots in the Practice Range, Reyna’s Soul Orbs will now spawn. They will still not spawn in Shooting Tests.

Gameplay Systems

  • Fixed an issue when transitioning from inspect to scope using the Outlaw.
  • Fixed bullet tracers with Chamber’s Tour De Force (X) and the Operator when penetrating through corners.
  • Fixed a mini-map visual issue when some players loaded into a game, it showed a similar VFX to Omen’s From The Shadows (X).
  • Fixed an issue where the Spike’s white circle indicator on the mini-map did not appear when the Spike was dropped on the edge of someone’s mini-map.

Maps

Breeze

  • Fixed a bug where the A Hall Door automatically started in the open position.

Lotus

  • Fixed a bug where players could stand on top of C Site crumbled pillar.

Icebox

  • Fixed a bug where players could stand on the container in B Green.

Split

  • Fixed a bug where players could stand on a vent in B Garage.

Game Modes

Team Deathmatch

  • Fixed a bug where, if the Outlaw was picked up from a weapon spawner, it had no reserve ammunition.

Premier

  • Fixed a bug that was causing Premier Standings to not load the correct zone or division the first time a player clicked onto it.
  • Fixed a bug that was causing teams to not appear on the Standings tab right after their Season Match.

That was all our information on the 8.01 Valorant patch notes. If you want more Valorant news, be sure to follow Rivalry on Twitter, and check out our blog page. We cover everything from the 2024 VCT schedule to everything you need to know about VALORANT Mobile and how to uninstall the game.