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Valorant Episode 8 was a memorable chapter for the game. In Act 2 we got a new playable agent in Clove, and recently in Act 3 we were given a brand new map, the Abyss. While Episode 8 was unforgettable, we now head to Episode 9 Act 1. Here you will find Valorant update 9.00 patch notes detailed description of agent nerfs, bug fixes and Premier mode changes.

For the first time, Riot Games’ multiplayer shooter is available on PS5 and Xbox consoles. It’s currently only available on console in a limited beta format, but anyone who can play on console will experience Episode 9 Act 1 in conjunction with PC players. In addition to being playable on console, Riot has announced the map schedule for the Episode 9 Act 1 Premier, which includes their deadliest map to date, the Abyss.

Episode 9 Act 1 is starting very soon depending on your region, and Riot has shared the full Valorant 9.00 patch notes.

Valorant Update 9.00 patch notes for Episode 9 Act 1

Below are the patch notes for Valorant 9.00 update for Episode 9 Act 1:

Agent Updates:

All platforms:

• Added new agent chat voice lines which include: Phoenix, Harbor, Brimstone, Yoru, Raze, Iso, Sage, Neon, Gekko, Skye, Deadlock, Omen, Kayo and Reyna

DESKTOP:

ISO:

We’re happy that Iso felt more comfortable going into the front of his team, but we want to increase the attention and context when Iso activates his Double Tap. This should make counterplay around breaking his shield or denying Double Tap orbs more successful.

So we’re reducing the duration of his Double Tap effect while removing the cooldown that comes with securing two kills. Iso can now extend Double Tap just by shooting orbs that spawn while the buff is active.

• Double tap (E): Duration: 20s >>> 12s
  • Removed kill signature reset

Console:

• Sova’s Owl Drone’s HP is now 100 from 60.

Competitive Updates

DESKTOP:

• The Abyss has been added to the ranked map list.

Console:

• Race mode is coming to console this patch! Queue up and see if you can climb the leaderboards and reach the Immortal leaderboards. Good luck in your first race to Radiant!
• Our competitive map pool will start with Abyss, Ascent, Bind, Haven, and Sunset, with new maps slowly added over the next few patches.

Game system updates

Console:

• Added a new “Preset Controls” selection screen on first load before loading into the tutorial
  • You can now choose between our VALORANT-specific preset controls or more familiar, TRADITIONAL console FPS presets as your starting control scheme.
  • You can easily change your presets and customize the controls at any time in the game through the settings menu.
• Polished audio transitions between Focus and ADS to better reflect the aiming state you’re transitioning into.
• The crosshair presets have been updated to better reflect the variety of usable crosshairs.
• Updated the Fighter preset controls so that Crouch is a hold action instead of a switch action.
• Added holistic target sensitivity slider.
• Added ability to enter precision mode while in controls settings to adjust sensitivity sliders in .1 steps.

Player behavior updates

DESKTOP:

• In addition to removing zero-tolerance terms from text chat, people who repeatedly engage in this behavior will see increased penalties for their violations.

Premier updates

DESKTOP:

• Welcome to Path to Pro!
• Contender teams that have earned promotion to Stage E8A3 are in the new Invitational Division, where finishing the Stage at a high enough rank will earn you entry into the Challengers League.
• The Contender and Invite Divisions play a little differently:
  • Strict rematch protection in weekly matches prevents you from playing against the same team more than once in a stage.
  • If we cannot find you a suitable match during the queuing window, you will start a bye. Byes award the match win and 100 points.
  • Awarding losses 0 points.
  • Playoff finals are best of 3 games.
  • There are some additional restrictions on the composition of Contender and Invite Division teams.
• For all the details on the new rules in Contender and Invite, see our updated article Everything you need to know about Premier.

Social updates

DESKTOP:

• When you add a friend, you can now paste or type a full Riot ID (including tagline) into the Riot ID field and it will automatically split the data into the Riot ID and tagline fields.

Console:

• We’ve updated the communication menu so it’s easier to manage your team and party voice on the go.
• We’ve added voice chat to the settings page. You can now customize your microphone behavior and voice settings to suit your preferences.

Clearing bugs

Agent:

• CONSOLE:
  • Fixed an issue with Jett’s Tailwind (diagonal dash) that was reducing the length of the dash.

Competitive systems

• CONSOLE:
  • Fixed an issue in Team Deathmatch where you would see an incorrect DRAW as the end result in the EOG screens
  • Added specific scoreboard screens for Team Deathmatch and Deathmatch

Game Systems:

• ALL PLATFORMS:
  • Fixed particle issue when using ADS in level 3 and 4 Mystbloom collection.
  • Fixed an issue when exiting Cypher’s spy cam that was causing Cypher’s hands to stutter for Spectators.
• CONSOLE:
  • Fixed issue where focus and ad sounds would play during transitions.
  • Fixed game exit menu persisting through AFK at idle.
  • Fixed game exit menu animation bug.

Cards:

• Abyss:
  • Fixed several unwanted boost positions.
  • Fixed bugs allowing players to infiltrate under the map.
  • Site cover should now display correctly in the Omen and Astra smoke routing world.
  • Fixed Omen exploit allowing him to pass between spawn barriers

Social:

• CONSOLE:
  • Fixed an issue where the friends list would sometimes display incorrect information about the friends platform

Already known issues

General:

• CONSOLE:
  • When navigating the Surrender menus, there is a chance that your controls will lock for an entire round. Because of this, we’ve chosen to disable the Surrender and Remake menus until we can properly fix the issue. Draw will remain functional.

Prime Minister:

• DESKTOP:
  • When you change the stage in the dropdown menu on the ranking page, the content does not refresh. To see the exact standings for past stages, change the stage, then change the division or zone and the content will update.
  • The leaderboard page sometimes does not update and you may see fewer teams than expected. Click on another tab in the Premier Hub and then return to the rankings to correct the issue.
  • If you are in a Contender or Invite and are awarded a Bye during the weekly matches, you will not see that match recorded in their Premier Match History section. You’ll get a win and 100 Premier Score as expected, and it’s properly reflected in the rankings.

All Valorant 9.00 Episode 9 Act 1 patch notes come courtesy of a press release.

For more Valorant, check out our 18 tips for getting better at the game along with our guide on how to look offline if you don’t want certain friends to know you’re playing. We also have guides on how to chat with the team, all and private, along with how to add friends.