Riot Games released VALORANT Patch 10.00, introducing significant updates to the game. This patch marks the beginning of Season 2025 and brings a new agent, map rotations, gameplay system changes, and bug fixes.
Introduction of Tejo
The highlight of this patch is the introduction of Tejo, a new initiator agent from Colombia. Tejo brings a unique set of abilities to the battlefield:
- Special Delivery: A sticky grenade that attaches to surfaces and explodes, concussing enemies in its radius. Players can choose between a direct launch or a single-bounce throw.
- Stealth Drone: A deployable drone that can be controlled to scout areas. It emits a pulse that suppresses and reveals enemies upon activation.
- Guided Salvo: An augmented reality (AR) targeting system allowing players to select up to two locations on the map. Missiles are then launched, autonomously navigating to the targets and detonating upon arrival.
- Armageddon (Ultimate): A tactical strike that lets players select a path on the map, unleashing a series of explosions along the chosen trajectory.
Tejo’s abilities are designed to disrupt enemy positions and provide strategic advantages to his team.
Season Structure Changes
Starting with this patch, VALORANT transitions from the Episode format to a year-long calendar called Season 2025. Each season will span the entire year, divided into six acts. Ranks will reset at the beginning of the season and again at a designated midseason point. This change aims to provide a more structured and engaging progression system for players.
Gameplay System Updates
The patch introduces several gameplay system updates:
- Automatic Remake Voting: If a player is inactive (AFK) during the first round, a remake vote will automatically initiate. The vote now requires only a majority of the remaining players to pass, streamlining the process of restarting unfair matches.
- Ping System: A new cheat option, “show map pings in world,” has been added to custom game modes. This feature allows players to practice lineups and strategies by displaying map pings directly in the game world.
These updates aim to enhance the overall gameplay experience by addressing common player concerns.
Map Rotation Changes
The map pool has been updated for the new act:
- Fracture and Lotus: Reintroduced into the Competitive and Deathmatch queues.
- Ascent and Sunset: Temporarily removed from the Competitive and Deathmatch queues.
Riot Games plans to rotate maps every act, providing variety and keeping the gameplay experience fresh.
Cosmetic Updates
A new cosmetic category, FLEX, has been introduced. Players can access the FLEX customization menu in their collections. Everyone receives a default FLEX item named STAT-COM. FLEX items can be equipped by assigning them to the Expressions Wheel, previously known as the Spray Wheel. This addition allows players to showcase new cosmetic items during matches.
Esports Features
The Esports Hub returns for the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 (VCT25). It includes:
- Overview Page: Provides a snapshot of the current status in the VCT journey.
- Team Information: Details on team placements after roster changes, including information on four new guest teams.
- Brackets: Information on the International League Kickoff starting on January 11.
These features aim to keep players informed and engaged with the competitive scene.
Premier Updates (PC Only)
Stage V25A1 of Premier begins on January 15. Teams previously in the Invite Division but not finishing in the top 16 have been demoted to their original zones. Team owners can change their team’s zone in the settings before matches commence. This update ensures fair competition and proper team placement.
Bug Fixes
The patch addresses several bugs:
- Agents:
- Fixed issues causing some abilities to display incorrect team colors for observers.
- Clove: Resolved a problem where the ability “Not Dead Yet” could fail to cast when activated in the last moments of its window.
- Skye:
- Fixed the “Guiding Light” ability’s flash duration not scaling properly.
- Addressed the absence of hit confirm sounds and voice-over when hitting Yoru’s “Fakeout” clone.
- Cypher and Viper: Fixed an issue where shooting through “Cyber Cage” or “Poison Cloud” could unintentionally allow wall penetration if placed too close to level geometry.
- Phoenix:
- Resolved a visual glitch where “Blaze” referenced an incorrect asset briefly.
- Corrected slight offsets in “Blaze” visual effects.