In Valorant’s first patch of 2024, players can expect exciting updates. Spatial audio is now officially supported, allowing the use of third-party spatialization software for headphones.
A new weapon, the Outlaw, a double-barreled sniper rifle, has been introduced with unique features. Agent updates include enhancements to Deadlock’s abilities and adjustments to Killjoy’s Turret for better strategic placement.
Map updates focus on refining Icebox and Lotus, improving gameplay balance. Doors have been technologically enhanced for smoother interactions. Team Deathmatch sees changes to the Sheriff loadout, and map rotations align with Competitive maps.
GENERAL UPDATES
In the General Updates, the Gun Buddy Carousel has been alphabetically ordered, making it easier for players to find what they want.
Spatial Audio is here!
Beginning with Patch 8.0, VALORANT is set to support third-party spatialization software for headphones.
Spatial Audio, essentially virtual surround sound for headphones, processes sound to help users distinguish between sounds that are in front, behind, or even above them while using headphones. For instance, it helps in determining whether the footsteps heard were in front or behind. The exciting news is that Patch 8.0 will officially support third-party spatial audio solutions!
This offers users alternatives beyond the HRTF option that was already available in VALORANT’s audio settings. During Patch 7.06, changes were made to the audio engine that resulted in issues for those who were already using third-party spatialization software, which wasn’t supported at that time. When third-party spatialization software was active in Windows settings in 7.06, sound levels became erratic. The only solution at that time was to guide those affected to temporarily disable the third-party spatialization software. A stereo-only fix was implemented in 7.07 that was compatible with Spatial Audio, but it did not allow for the virtualization of surround sound.
With Patch 8.0, the Speaker Configuration in VALORANT’s audio settings will default to stereo, but users can take advantage of all the features that these spatial audio solutions offer if they opt to set the Speaker Configuration to Auto-Detect.
WEAPONS UPDATES
VALORANT announced the arrival of the Outlaw, the first new weapon since its launch. The Outlaw, a high-impact, double-barreled sniper rifle, is designed for decisive playmaking.
The features of the Outlaw include:
- Semi-automatic firing mode
- Stay zoomed functionality
- Capacity of 2 slugs per magazine
- Extended reload time when empty
Unique to the Outlaw is its varying reload timings, depending on whether it’s reloading from empty or just reloading a single shot. The Outlaw can be acquired for 2,400 credits.
AGENT UPDATES
Deadlock
Following the direction of the previous 7.10 GravNet (C) changes, the Valorant team is building upon the unique strengths of Deadlock’s two other basic abilities: Sonic Sensor (Q) and Barrier Mesh (E).
For Sonic Sensor (Q), they are increasing the reliability of the concuss once triggered by shortening its windup time, while also increasing flexibility by allowing it to be recalled and redeployed in round.
Sonic Sensor (Q)
- Sonic Sensors can now be recalled in round.
- The pickup distance of Sonic Sensor has been increased from 12m to 27m.
- The time to concuss once triggered has been decreased from 1.0s to 0.5s.
- The time for enemies to destroy Sonic Sensor once triggered has been reduced from 0.65s to 0.5s.
- Deadlock and her allies can now hear Sonic Sensor’s audio lightly when they are in its area of effect.
Barrier Mesh (E), they have increased the max length of the barrier walls to allow it to divide much larger spaces than is possible with comparable utility and make it more reliable at fully blocking chokes when deployed quickly. The max length of Barrier Mesh walls has been increased from 6m to 10m.
Killjoy
Killjoy’s Turret (E) provides superior coverage compared to other defensive recon tools, thanks to its autonomous detection and extensive vision range. By narrowing its vision cone, Killjoy will be encouraged to make more strategic decisions about which part of the map her Turret will oversee. The updated visuals of the Turret are designed to help you swiftly comprehend the areas it safeguards.
Turret (E)
- The vision radius of the Turret has been reduced from 180 degrees to 100 degrees.
- A representation of the Turret’s vision cone has been added to Killjoy’s minimap when she is placing the Turret.
- VFX and updated animations have been added to communicate the Turret’s new vision radius
MAP UPDATES
Doors Refactor
The technology behind the interactable doors has been enhanced to refine interactions with others and with Agent abilities.
ICEBOX
Icebox has returned with several modifications to Mid, B Green, and B Orange. The aim of these changes is to increase the significance of Mid for any team controlling it and to streamline the path to B Site through B Orange and B Green, making fights more predictable.
Attacker Side Spawn
A storage container has been positioned on the left side to obstruct the line of sight from Attacker Spawn to B Tube.
B Green
The container in B Green was adding complexity to both ground fights and those involving players boosting up top. By relocating the container, combat in this area should be more manageable.
B Tube Exterior
A window has been added toward the end of B Tube that overlooks Mid and provides a view towards A Site and Defender Spawn. This addition allows Attackers to exert significant pressure on rotating players, and Defenders should be able to maintain more space when holding Mid from B Kitchen or Mid Boiler.
B Tube Interior
Two boxes have been stacked flush against the wall.
B Snow Pile
Multiple parallel paths were leading from Mid to B Site. To decrease timings and create more predictable fights, the B Orange route closest to B Kitchen has been removed. The snow pile leading up to B Kitchen has been adjusted so players can now silently drop off the boxes.
LOTUS
Defenders on Lotus have been feeling overwhelmed by Attackers. To address this, more options are being added by adjusting neutral spaces and making some quality of life updates across the map, enabling Defenders to better hold sites.
A Main
Additional space has been created in A Main, along with a set of boxes, providing Defenders with more options to control A Rubble. The double stack of boxes outside A Stairs has been made non-penetrable to decrease the chances of being spammed.
A Link
Extra space has been added near the breakable door. This should make it less awkward to fight from inside the connector room after the door has been broken.
A Hut
A Hut has been closed to improve the readability of the plant site and make retakes easier. A cubby has also been added to the back of A Hut, providing more options for Defenders to hold the site.
B Site
B Site has been expanded and boxes have been added to increase defensibility closer to the site choke point.
C Site
Adjustments have been made to the Spike plant zone and the stairs in C Bend to allow for a greater variety of Spike plant locations in C Site. The boxes on the back of the site have also been adjusted.
C Bend
Additional space and boxes have been added in C Main to increase defensibility closer to the front of Main. Boxes and extra room to fight from have also been added to C Bend.
Rotating Doors
The time for rotating doors to complete their spin has been increased from 8 seconds to 10 seconds. This extra time should allow for more fights to happen through the doors and for most players to get through the door on time.
B Orb
B Orb has been removed to align Lotus more closely with other maps (with the exception of Fracture, which has 4). This change also addresses the issue of Attackers being able to farm B Orb easily.
MODES UPDATES
Team Deathmatch
Stage 2 – Sheriff Loadout
- The Heavy Shield has been replaced with a Light Shield.
The Valorant team has observed that the Sheriff is outperforming other weapons in the Stage 2 weapon ecosystem, leading to a sidelining of other loadouts. The aim of this change is to enhance the viability of other weapons when facing off against a Sheriff.
Map Rotation
All game modes (with the exception of Team Deathmatch and Custom games) will follow the Competitive map rotation. The current rotation includes: Icebox, Lotus, Sunset, Breeze, Ascent, Bind, and Split.
UPDATES TO PREMIER
In Premier updates, a Team Captain role is introduced, offering assistance in team management. Standings visibility and division determination are now available. EMEA Zone updates facilitate the VCT Challengers League Path to Promotion.
The Team Captain Role
A secondary management role, known as Team Captain, has been introduced to rosters. Team Captains can assist with team management tasks such as inviting and removing team members. However, they do not have the authority to delete the team or remove the Team Owner. Team Owners have the power to promote or demote a Team Captain.
Standings
The ability to view standings in other divisions and for previous Stages of Premier is now available via the drop-down menus on the top left of the Standings Tab.
Divisions
Players can now determine their seeded division prior to playing their first match.
Qualification for Playoffs
The qualification threshold for this Stage has returned to the standard 675 Premier Score.
Updates to EMEA Zone
The Zones have been updated to facilitate the VCT Challengers League Path to Promotion in EMEA. For more information on how to qualify for Challengers Open Qualifiers and how Premier is integrated into esports in 2024, refer to the provided article by VALORANTESPORTS.COM.
BUG FIXES
A bug in the Raw Input Buffer has been resolved. This bug was not respecting the swapped primary/secondary mouse keys in Windows mouse settings.
KNOWN ISSUES
There is a known issue in Team Deathmatch where the Outlaw, when picked up from a weapon spawner, does not have reserve ammunition. A fix for this issue is currently in progress.
Source: https://playvalorant.com/en-gb/news/game-updates/valorant-patch-notes-8-0/