Valorant 5.01 update is now live. You’ll find all the changes and fixes heading to Riot Games 5v5 character-based shooter in the latest Valorant update right here on this page.

Agent tweaks lead the charge in Valorant 5.01, the first patch following the launch of Season 5. These target Phoenix, Yoru, and KAY/O specifically. Elsewhere, Valorant 5.01 weaves in a new smurf detection function, currently limited to North America. The system is designed to improve skill-based matchmaking between players. The patch also includes improved collision behavior when in proximity to other players, cutting down on jitteriness.

Lastly, Valorant 5.01 includes the usual selection of bug fixes covering performance, agents, and maps. Check out the complete Valorant 5.01 update patch notes below to learn more.

Valorant 5.01 Update Patch Notes

AGENT UPDATES

PHOENIX

We believe Phoenix’s Curveball is the cornerstone of his kit, and as we explored adjustment options, it became clear that Curveball being more powerful unlocks his kit as a whole. So we wanted to assess Phoenix in a world where Curveball is more competitive with the rest of the ecosystem to get a sense for the impact of the changes. We view Phoenix as an aggressive entry Agent, so the additional Run It Back and Blaze changes are intended to support his proactive intentions when taking space or fights early on into rounds.

YORU

We’ve noticed you Yoru players having a bit of friction achieving the dream of setting up a master plan while in ultimate. We’re hoping these changes will reduce a bit of that problem, rewarding you for using your flash during ultimate, while still preventing unhealthy play patterns that leave enemies without counterplay.

  • Flash Max duration increased 1.1s »> 1.5s

  • Flash Windup decreased .7s »> .5s

  • Phoenix will now equip his weapon earlier if he stops bending his wall

  • Phoenix will now spawn at the marker with the amount of shields he had when the ability was cast

KAY/O

KAY/O hasn’t had much of a quality of life pass since we’ve last had some changes so we wanted to reduce some pain and help you access more parts of the kit that haven’t felt as accessible.

  • Increased duration of ultimate 10s »> 12s
  • Reduced unequip time 1.2s »> 0.8s

Valorant 5.01 Update – GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS

  • New Smurf Detection functionality (North America)
  • This addition to our smurf detection systems is designed to make sure that new players (that means all new accounts) are matched up with players of the correct skill level, much faster than before.
  • We’re testing this change in North America first, to make sure everything is working correctly before a global rollout.
  • Testing begins the week of July 11th, 2022
  • Improved collision behavior when walking next to or behind another player.
  • This should heavily reduce the amount of jitteriness experienced when moving close to your allies (rushing a site as a group or moving out of spawn should feel better!).

GAME MODES

  • Twin Hunters in Spike Rush will now damage destructible walls

Valorant 5.01 Update – BUGS

PERFORMANCE

  • Fixed an issue where having the Raw Input Buffer setting enabled caused scrolling in chat or friends list to go directly to the top or bottom

  • Fixed a bug with Dimensional Drift where the invulnerability kicked in later than intended after it was cast

SOVA

  • Fixed issue with Sova’s Shock Bolt not damaging enemy traps and other game objects (other than players)

FADE

  • Fixed issue where Fade’s Haunt would sometimes reveal enemies that were on the other side of a thin wall

Valorant is out now for PC. For more on today’s Valorant update, check out the official patch notes announcement.

  • Zone diameter reduced 10m »> 8m

  • Damage now applies without needing line of sight

  • We’ve noticed a lot of inconsistencies with how the FRAG/ment is communicating the actual damage zone on the ability. We wanted to be consistent with how the visuals were showing the damage zone, so we’ve removed the line of sight requirement to apply damage.

  • We’ve noticed a lot of inconsistencies with how the FRAG/ment is communicating the actual damage zone on the ability. We wanted to be consistent with how the visuals were showing the damage zone, so we’ve removed the line of sight requirement to apply damage.

  • Now, only allies will hear the full channel audio of reviving KAY/O, while downed

  • Enemies will only hear a short audio cue when the revive has started, matching a similar gameplay pattern to playing around ultimate orbs or tapping the bomb

  • Enemies will only hear a short audio cue when the revive has started, matching a similar gameplay pattern to playing around ultimate orbs or tapping the bomb

  • This addition to our smurf detection systems is designed to make sure that new players (that means all new accounts) are matched up with players of the correct skill level, much faster than before.

  • We’re testing this change in North America first, to make sure everything is working correctly before a global rollout.

  • Testing begins the week of July 11th, 2022

  • This should heavily reduce the amount of jitteriness experienced when moving close to your allies (rushing a site as a group or moving out of spawn should feel better!).