Valorant Episode 4 update patch notes: Ares buffs, Spectre nerfs, map changes

❘ Updated: 2022-01-13T00:05:43

Riot Games

The Valorant patch notes for Episode 4 are finally here and contain a number of updates to weapons and Breeze, along with introducing the latest agent: Neon.

Valorant Episode 4 has now kicked off, as of January 12. Just under a week ahead of time, Riot released all the info on what we’ll be seeing in the Battle Pass, from the new agent Neon, and more.

In Episode 4, Melee will be getting a significant buff — although no longer in the patch 4.00 update — and the Spectre, Ares, Guardian, and Bulldog will be receiving changes as well.

Neon will be joining the Valorant roster in Episode 4.

Fans of the silenced SMG will notice massive nerfs to the Spectre, making it tougher to use in long and close range engagements. On the other hand, the Guardian, Bulldog, and Ares are all getting buffed to try and make them a bit more viable

Read More: Valorant adds crazy new weapon skins that “talk to you”

The full patch notes for Episode 4 can be found below.

AGENT UPDATES

Neon goes live!

WEAPON UPDATES

SPECTRE

The Spectre’s versatility makes us happy, but it was over-performing in long range engagements and was too powerful even within its intended close range and mobile scenarios. By making the accuracy error come in a bit earlier and switching yaws more often, we hope it will make it more difficult to get kills when spraying over a long range. Likewise, the close range sprays will require more control to be effective.

Firing error occurs at earlier bullet stages
- For example, instead of errors occurring at bullets 4, 7, 10 (in terms of firing order) they will instead happen at bullets 3, 6, 8

Increased pitch and yaw (vertical and horizontal) recoil multipliers when running/jumping/on ascender from 1.25 >>> 1.5
Protected bullet count from yaw (horizontal) switching while spraying, decreased 8 >>> 5 bullets
Lowering time to switch yaw from .24 >>> .18 seconds

ARES

Alongside changes to the Spectre, we hope to improve the feel and power of the Ares and take it out of the shadow of other weapons in its price tier.

Removed spin up
Firing rate increased from 10 >>> 13

GUARDIAN

The Guardian didn’t need the fire rate penalty compared to its fully-automatic counterparts, so we’re removing it. Adding another bullet before it starts to get unstable should make the weapon feel much more proficient at tapping shots, and improve its overall effectiveness in a fight.

Removed firing rate penalty on ADS (Aiming Down Sight)
Added an extra bullet before it enters a recovery curve

BULLDOG

We’re giving the Bulldog some love to help make it feel like a better buy in those situations when you might need a cheaper but versatile rifle option.

Hip fire rate increased 9.5 >>> 10
Recovery on burst fire improved from .4 >>> .35
Inaccuracy is accrued any time the weapon is re-fired prior to a complete duration of a weapon’s respective Gun Recovery Time. Lower recovery time should improve burst fire efficiency.

MAP UPDATES

BIND

The double stack of cover at short A has been changed to remove a very powerful one-way smoke location that made the area a little too difficult for Attackers to approach. ○ Sentinels will still be able to clog the space, but the new layout should open a few options for attackers pushing in.
There’s also a small, new bench for a mix up when taking that first peek. BREEZE
Increased the width of the A Main choke and removed 50/50s (where you must choose one of two locations an opponent may be located)
- This should give defenders more options when playing around A Main. It also removes the 50/50 when both entering or exiting the cave, allowing you to be more methodical when pushing.
Added a stack of two crates in cave
- This provides some cover for attackers pushing the cave while also giving defenders more options for contesting the space.

Adjusted cover on the back of A Site and extended the pool to the far wall
- The cover changes should give defenders both a safe place to fall back to and more cover on retakes. Extending the pool should make playing in this space more comfortable.
- Plant site extension is also to match the new shape of the pool.
Adjusted curved wall in mid
- This change simplifies the space and removes the extra pocket.

Added cover to the pillar on B Site, blocked off the back site with a new wall, and added a stack of crates to B Wall
- The new cover on the pillar allows for new pre and post plant opportunities.
- The adjusted back site breaks the head peek to B Main while also giving players new cover to work with. This new cover should be useful when falling back and retaking.
- The new stack of crates limits some angles from B Main, gives you new options when holding or retaking, and should break up some awkward fights that can occur on thin walls.
Door on A can no longer be reactivated until it is finished opening or closing

COMPETITIVE

As the map and Agent pool has increased, it’s become increasingly difficult for new players to effectively learn and play VALORANT. However, we haven’t made any changes to when players are able to access our most competitive experience. We believe everyone should take time to learn the ins and outs of core gameplay, and have ample exposure to all the maps and Agents VALORANT will throw at you before competing in our ranked experience. To force this learning period, we’ve decided to add an Account Level requirement to play in Competitive.

Starting with Patch 4.0, accounts that have yet to play in Ranked are required to reach account level 20 level before they are able to enter the Competitive queue
- For those that have not yet reached account level 20, but have already played in Competitive queue, you will still be able to play in ranked.

BUGS

Game Systems

Fixed an issue where the Signature Kill Counter was not updating visually Esports Features
Coaches should no longer experience the issue where swapping targets with number keys + mouse clicks occasionally fails.