Valorant Patch 9.12: The Biggest one This Year

by

As a long-standing Valorant enthusiast with countless hours spent on the battlefield, I can confidently say that the 9.12 patch has brought forth a plethora of exciting changes that will undoubtedly breathe new life into the game! The introduction of the Regen Shield and tweaks to various agents like Cypher, Sage, and Phoenix are just the tip of the iceberg.

In simple terms, the recently released update for Valorant (version 9.12) brings numerous changes aimed at enhancing gameplay, increasing strategic options, and fine-tuning the competitive equilibrium.

From the debut of a new shield to notable agent and weapon adjustments, here’s everything you need to know about the new patch.

New Armor: Regen Shield on 9.12

Read moreHunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

A fresh addition to the shop, the Regen Shield introduces a tactical edge for defensive playstyles.

  • Cost: 650 Credits
  • Stats:
    • Absorbs 25 HP before health damage is taken.
    • Regenerates up to 50 HP from its pool after absorbing damage.

This newly introduced protective barrier is perfect for gamers aiming to endure lengthy battles, enriching the tactical aspects of their team configurations.

Agent Updates

Cypher

Read moreDeadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals What Part of Making Sequel Was Most Fun

In the latest update, I’m thrilled to see that my favorite champion, Cypher, has received some tweaks to make him more balanced and challenging for opponents. These changes aim to improve counterplay without compromising his impressive, far-reaching influence across the map in patch 9.12.

  • Trap Wire:
    • A 0.5-second windup before full reveal activates, creating a balance between strategy and counterplay.
    • Minimap icons improved for clarity.
  • Neural Theft:
    • Ultimate cost increased from 6 to 7 to align with other powerful ults.

Sage

Sage regains her control-oriented playstyle with buffs aimed at stalling attackers effectively.

  • Healing Orb:
    • Self-heal increased from 30 HP to 50 HP, now matching ally heal times.
  • Slowing Orb:
    • Now reduces enemy dash speeds by 50%, improving its effectiveness against Duelists.
  • Resurrection:
    • Cost reduced from 8 to 7 ult points.

Deadlock

In the updated version of Deadlock’s “Annihilation Cocoon”, it ensures a kill when the timer ends and the target remains ensnared. Furthermore, visual improvements have been made to her abilities’ health conditions following patch 9.12, making them more straightforward to understand.

Omen

In the game Omen, the ability Dark Cover now only manifests on terrain that allows players to physically stand on it, thereby discouraging exploitation of one-way smokes and preserving his adaptability.

Phoenix

Read moreDespicable Me 4 Holds Box Office Lead, Longlegs Stuns

Phoenix receives significant updates to encourage aggressive play:

  • Curve Ball: Moved to the signature ability slot with a free charge each round.
  • Hot Hands: Redesigned as a purchasable ability costing 200 credits.
  • Blaze:
    • Now penetrates walls, enhancing its team utility.
    • Functions more like Harbor’s High Tide, adding flexibility in blocking vision.

Jett

Jett’s Drift (Passive) has been adjusted: She can no longer float when suppressed or detained.

Gameplay Systems Updates for Patch 9.12

Post-Battle Summary: The utility statistics are now shown following the conclusion of each round, thus preventing any unwanted disclosure of information.

Concusses:

  • Slows enemy dashes (e.g., Jett’s Tailwind, Neon’s Slide) by 50%, increasing defensive utility.

As a gamer, I appreciate the heads-up when smoke effects start to thin out, helping me make better decisions on the battlefield.

Weapon Updates

Pistol Tweaks

Movement inaccuracies for all pistols are increased, encouraging deliberate shots:

  • Classic: Increased walking and running inaccuracies.
  • Ghost: Bullet count reduced to 13, matching its role compared to the Frenzy.

Phantom Buffs

  • Damage falloff thresholds extended, minimizing instances of low-damage headshots:
    • 39 DMG (0–20m), 35 DMG (20m+).
      This makes the Phantom more reliable, particularly at mid-range engagements.

Machine Guns & Rifles

The issue of increased inaccuracy in movements has been observed consistently with rifles and machine guns, a trend that seems to promote tactical maneuvering.

Conclusion

The 9.12 update underscores Riot’s dedication to improving Valorant’s strategic complexity and tailoring playstyles for each player. With updated equipment, tweaked skills, and weapon overhauls, players can look forward to a more engaging and enjoyable gameplay experience. Gather your team and get ready to adapt to the ever-changing metagame!

Stay sharp, Agents—we’ve got you covered!

Read More

2024-11-20 05:30