Riot Games has added Skirmish as a 2v2 matchmaking queue in Valorant Patch 12.03, which went live on February 17, 2026. Previously only available inside custom game lobbies, Skirmish can now be played through standard matchmaking as a limited-time mode. The format strips the game back to its most basic form: no agent abilities, no economy, and no objectives. Just two players against two players, settled entirely by gunplay.
What Is Skirmish 2v2 in Valorant?
Skirmish is a round-based limited-time mode designed around pure mechanical skill. The 2v2 format means two players on each side, with the only goal being to eliminate the opposing duo. There is no Spike to plant or defuse, no ability usage of any kind, and no credit economy to manage. Every player spawns each round with access to the full weapon selection and is not limited by money earned in previous rounds.
Riot Games described the mode simply in the Patch 12.03 notes: “Compact maps, no abilities, gunplay only.”
Skirmish 2v2 Rules at a Glance
The rules for Skirmish 2v2 are straightforward. The first team to win 10 rounds takes the match. Because there is no economy system, players choose their loadout freely every single round without any financial consequence. There is also no agent select screen, which removes one of the longer steps in a standard Valorant match and makes getting into a game faster overall.
All players spawn with Heavy Armor equipped at the start of each round. The elimination of the buy phase, ability usage, and objective-based play means every round is decided entirely by aim, positioning, and gunfight decision-making.
How to Queue Into Skirmish 2v2
Skirmish 2v2 is available as a matchmaking queue for a limited time, meaning players can find it in the standard modes list rather than needing to set up a custom lobby. Players can queue solo and be matched with a random partner, or they can enter as a pre-made duo. The mode does not require a full team of five and is designed specifically around the two-player format.
Maps in Skirmish 2v2
Matches in Skirmish 2v2 take place on compact, purpose-built maps rather than the standard Valorant map pool. Three maps are randomly selected for each match. These maps are smaller in size than the main game’s arenas and are built specifically for fast, close-range engagements. The tight layouts mean encounters happen quickly, and there is very little downtime between rounds.
The three dedicated Skirmish maps are Skirmish A, Skirmish B, and Skirmish C. Skirmish A features a tight central corridor with side angles, making it well suited to 1v1 and 2v2 play. Skirmish B is slightly larger and includes elevation changes and corners that allow for more varied approaches. Skirmish C rounds out the pool as another compact arena built for constant action.
Why Riot Games Added Skirmish to Matchmaking
Skirmish originally launched as a custom game option in Valorant Patch 11.07. At that time, it supported 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 formats but was only accessible through private custom lobbies and was not available through matchmaking. With Patch 12.03, Riot has brought the 2v2 version of the mode into the standard matchmaking queue as a limited-time offering, making it accessible to any player without the need to organise a custom game.
The mode is positioned as a way for players to sharpen their aim and mechanical skills outside of the pressure of ranked play. Because agent abilities are removed entirely, Skirmish isolates gunplay as the only variable in a match outcome.
How Skirmish 2v2 Differs From Deathmatch
Valorant already has a Deathmatch mode designed for warmup and practice, but Skirmish 2v2 functions differently in several key ways. Deathmatch is free-for-all and does not use a round-based format. Skirmish keeps the round structure that defines Valorant as a game, meaning players must win individual rounds rather than simply accumulate a kill count. This makes Skirmish feel more like a stripped-down version of a competitive match rather than a casual warmup tool.
The 2v2 format also adds a small team dynamic that Deathmatch does not have, requiring some coordination with a partner even in a simplified ruleset.
Is Skirmish 2v2 a Permanent Mode?
As of Patch 12.03, Skirmish 2v2 in matchmaking is listed as a limited-time mode. Riot Games has not confirmed a specific end date for its availability or whether it will be added permanently to the game’s mode rotation. Players who want to try the mode should do so while it remains active in the matchmaking queue.
Custom game Skirmish in various formats remains available to players regardless of the limited-time matchmaking queue status.