Well, it certainly feels like it’s been a long while since we’ve done this, huh? Patch updates haven’t been as fast and furious as they were in those summer days, but that isn’t a bad thing. The list may look light for this last patch update of 2020, but within contains changes to an oft-changed Agent, pleasantly surprising map changes, and yet another attempt to pull a Lord Gargamel on Valorant and do something about those smurfs.
For the full list of patch changes, be sure to visit the official
Valorant notes, also available on the game’s home screen.
AGENT UPDATES
Barrier Orb
Sage is the Agent who just seemingly cannot stop getting tuned. In this case, Barrier Orb and its barrier keeps getting changes because players find new ways to make it just a little too good. It does seem odd in regards to what abilities are fine to be deployed pre-round and which ones Riot are taking a stance on, but Barrier will always be different because it’s a mechanic that’s so direct.
MAP UPDATES
The initial complaints about Icebox were in regards to its verticality, which Riot seems to be tackling directly in these changes to A Site. The old/new photos Riot cooked up for their patch notes article will explain the tweaks better, but safe to say that A Site doesn’t feel so daunting anymore. Especially of note is the new sloped corner on A Site, removing the hard 90 degree angle and boxes, which should make A Site more fair and approachable. Only time will tell if these updates will make the map a bit more friendly to those not inclined to look up.
MODE UPDATE
Ready to have a Snowball Fight with your friends (and likely your foes)? Play a match of Snowball Fight and you’ll also nab a themed Gun Buddy, delivered at a later date.
The mode will only be available December 15-29.
5v5: Team Deathmatch
Who doesn’t love holiday modes and more deathmatches? This seems like a dumb, fun way to introduce more casual play. Now, if they’d only make a harpoon gun to match the snowball gun...
SOCIAL UPDATES
Yet another attempt by the developer to tackle the problem of smurfs--players attempting to play at a lower skill level for the purposes of easy wins by starting new accounts. While it feels like an impossible task, this change goes a long way to at least making smurfs stick to their ruse and win 10 games before ruining everyone else’s fun.
Update Complete
Valorant patch 1.14 closes the year of 2020 a bit on the quiet side, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see and do in the world of Valorant right now. What will 2021 hold? We’ll all find out together soon enough. Until then, happy holidays to everyone from the folks here at ValorBuff!
Clean up your room. Patch 1.14 is now available.