TALKESPORT

Valorant’s Episode 4 Act 2 is here with a variety of changes coming across for agents and other aspects of the game although we won’t be seeing any new agents being added to the ranks or a new map being introduced.

It’s just about time, Episode 4 Act 2 is shipped to Valorant but here we are, getting you all listed with every detail that is expected to come along with the update.

Earlier in January, Valorant developer Anna Donlon explained that the upcoming act wouldn’t feature any new agent or a map and would just focus on other aspects as mentioned above.

“So what does that mean? Well, first, and lets get it out of the way, there will be no new Agent or Map in Act II. Instead, lots and lots of updates that target Agent balance, existing maps, promoting good player behavior and an even better-ranked experience. Things like that.” said Anna in the company’s video.

When we speak about a dozen changes being brought to agents, they are mostly controllers who would almost shake up the entire meta going into the 2022 pro season and that will be the multiverse of madness when the least picked agent in 2021 or 2020 would be picked up the most going forward.

With changes for Brimstone, Omen and Yoru already been discussed earlier, we now set our focus on Astra who has been nerfed ahead of Act 2.

“With the mastery of Astra’s play patterns over time, she’s become an overwhelming force in both coordinated and high MMR play. She’s crowded out Brimstone and Omen by replicating their strengths and they simply couldn’t keep up with the map-wide impact of her utility. We’re taking steps to create clearer relative weaknesses in an attempt to carve more space for our other Controllers. This starts by reducing her overall utility output and increasing her ability cooldown , in the hopes that this will increase the importance of each move she makes. Paired with this, we’re taking the opportunity to provide some quality-of-life updates and bug fixes that we feel are long overdue.” said Jeff Landa, Comms Strategist.

With the Episode 4 Act 2 update on the Horizon, we are looking at a series of agent updates and map reworks, although for the first time the agent roster won’t be seeing an addition to their ranks.

It’s just about time, Episode 4 Act 2 is shipped to Valorant but here we are, getting you all listed with every detail that is expected to come along with the update.

Earlier in January, Valorant developer Mrs. Anna Donlon explained that the upcoming act wouldn’t feature any new agent or a map and would just focus on other aspects as mentioned above.

Instead, changes to agents, mainly controllers have been inculcated as a part of this major patch update headlining Episode 2. So far we have come across tweaks for Yoru and Omen. Let us now discuss what the developers got in store for Brimstone.

Comms Strategist Jeff Landa on changes to Brimstone –

“Brimstone is in a healthy spot overall, but he wasn’t performing well in scenarios where we think he should excel. The limitations on his smoke deployment and his Stim Beacon’s versatility were leaving him too constrained. With these changes, we’re hoping Brimstone will be a competitive choice on a healthy portion of the map pool.”

Brimstone’s smoke ability, “Sky Smoke” has been briefly buffed in a bid to match other controllers’ potential as the deploy time, radius have been modified while the height of Smoke has been increased. Find the list of changes lined up for Brimstone this patch :

Sky Smoke

• Deploy time decreased 2 >>> 1 second
• Deploy radius increased 5000 >>> 5500
• Smoke height increased to match other Controllers

Stim Beacon

• Now also applies a 15% speed boost in addition to RapidFire.

With the Episode 4 Act 2 update on the Horizon, we are looking at a series of agent updates and map reworks, although for the first time the agent roster won’t be seeing an addition to their ranks. It’s just about time, Episode 4 Act 2 is shipped to Valorant but here we are, getting you all listed with every detail that is expected to come along with the update.

Earlier in January, Valorant developer Mrs. Anna Donlon explained that the upcoming act wouldn’t feature any new agent or a map and would just focus on other aspects as mentioned above.

“So what does that mean? Well, first, and let’s get it out of the way, there will be no new Agent or Map in Act II. Instead, lots and lots of updates that target Agent balance, existing maps, promoting good player behavior and an even better-ranked experience. Things like that.”

Among the other agent, changes would be Omen who would be getting a major buff as the Controller has struggled in the previous metas. His ability Dark cover would be getting a lesser cooldown now but at the cost of 150 credits although the projectile speed has been now increased from 2800 to 6400 units. Omen’s shrouded step has been reworked with its cost down to 100 credits and pre-delay teleport timer down to 0.7 seconds.

You can find the list of changes down here followed by a quick word by Mr. Jeff Landa, Comms Strategist at Riot.

“As strategic diversity in VALORANT evolved, Omen has struggled to find his place within the meta. Many of you enjoy his gameplay loop but have found it increasingly difficult to justify his selection in higher tiers of play. We want to increase his reliability as a Controller by rolling back a selection of early nerfs to Dark Cover, and sharpen his combat-focused abilities”, stated Jeff Landa on Valorant’s official blog. 

With the Episode 4 Act 2 update on the Horizon, we are looking at a series of agent updates and map reworks, although for the first time the agent roster won’t be seeing an addition to their ranks.

It’s just about time, Episode 4 Act 2 is shipped to Valorant but here we are, getting you all listed with every detail that is expected to come along with the update.

Earlier in January, Valorant developer Mrs. Anna Donlon explained that the upcoming act wouldn’t feature any new agent or a map and would just focus on other aspects as mentioned above.

The most anticipated Yoru rework might be introduced in Episode 4 Act 2, as a part of the Valorant patch 4.04. The rework will buff the agent with a plethora of changes which might prove to be a boon to the player-base while fielding him on the battlegrounds. Your’s Fakeout footsteps will be replaced by a carbon copy of duelist, tricking the players whether it’s the original one or just an illusion. Upon hitting the illusion, the latter would explode, flashing the enemy within the cone.

Mr Jeff Landa, Comms Strategist stated on Valorant’s official blog,

“Yoru is here with a few more tools in his belt, ready to Gatecrash his way back into your hearts (WHO WROTE THIS?) Fakeout is now a mirror image of Yoru and should help with adding a way to punish deceived enemies. Gatecrash’s teleport beacon—now with the ability to fake the teleport cues—will allow Yoru to create pressure around the map, confusing enemies as they second guess their backline safety. Dimensional Drift now gives Yoru full vision and access to his utility, allowing him to take space with his team while creating pressure on the backline. We’re happy to be able to lean heavily into Yoru’s deception fantasy and are excited to see him back in your hands!”

In addition to this, a fake teleport is rumored to be added to his Gatecrash ability although it would trigger audio and portal visuals as if Yoru is attempting to teleport while he would now be able to use his other abilities in his ultimate, Dimensional Drift. The ultimate’s total duration has been buffed to 10 seconds from 8.

Final Agent Changes