Valorant Update 7.08 Patch Notes: All You Need To Know

Valorant, Riot Games’ flagship tactical shooter, has released the highly anticipated patch notes for Update 7.08. This update brings significant changes to smokes, audio cues, and tournament queues, enhancing the gameplay experience for players. In this article, we will delve into the key highlights and improvements introduced in Valorant’s latest update.

Smokes Receive a Game-Changing Update

In Valorant, smokes play a pivotal role, serving as tools to obscure vision, control areas, and create opportunities for strategic plays. However, the opacity and duration of smokes have sometimes left players in the dark about when they will dissipate, potentially leading to awkward situations and unexpected challenges.

With the 7.08 update, Riot Games has introduced a game-changing feature related to smokes. Astra, Brimstone, and Omen, the agents known for their smokes, will now provide players with a visual and audio cue 1.5 seconds before their smokes are about to fade. This simple yet effective addition ensures that players have a clear indication of when the smoke’s cover is about to dissipate. While the exact appearance and sound of these cues remain undisclosed, they are expected to revolutionize the way players utilize smokes in their strategies.

The introduction of audio and visual cues for dissipating smoke addresses a longstanding issue in Valorant. Previously, players would often find themselves at a disadvantage when navigating smokes, as they had no way of knowing their remaining duration. 

This uncertainty could lead to unfavorable engagements, leaving players exposed just as they attempted to reposition. The new cues provide players with a small but valuable window of time to react and adjust to the changing battlefield conditions. While the practical effectiveness of this feature remains to be seen, it has the potential to significantly enhance gameplay by promoting more informed and strategic decision-making.

Audio Cue Improvements

Apart from the changes to smokes, Update 7.08 also brings improvements to audio cues. In the past, equipping certain abilities triggered audio cues that were audible not only to enemies but also to nearby allies. This often resulted in unintentional consequences, as the element of surprise was compromised. The new system ensures that when abilities are equipped, their audio cues are only audible to enemies. This adjustment creates a more immersive and strategic gameplay experience, where players can rely on audio cues to gain critical information about their adversaries’ movements and actions without inadvertently revealing their own strategies to teammates.

Tournament Queue Enhancements

In the realm of competitive play, Update 7.08 introduces significant changes to the Premier Playoff Tournament queues. Teams now have a 15-minute window to queue up and prepare for their matches, a reduction from the previous one-hour window. Once this 15-minute period expires, all eligible teams in the queue will be placed into evenly distributed brackets based on their Premier Score. This alteration aims to reward teams that have performed well during the regular season, granting them advantages in the playoffs.

Bug Fixes and Quality-of-Life Improvements

Like any comprehensive update, 7.08 also includes a series of bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements. Notable bug fixes include addressing issues related to agent abilities, such as Deadlock’s Annihilation (X) no longer opening doors from outside teleporter rooms and Neon’s Fast Lane (C) extending more reliably through specific areas.

Store Enhancements

For players who enjoy customizing their in-game experience, the update includes store enhancements. Players can now conveniently search, navigate, and equip their Level Borders and Player Cards using Valorant’s grid UI. This feature provides a more user-friendly and intuitive way to personalize your profile.

Valorant Update 7.08 is set to have a profound impact on the game, with significant changes to smokes, audio cues, and tournament queues. The introduction of audio and visual cues for dissipating smokes promises to provide players with a crucial advantage in tactical situations. With a clearer understanding of when smokes will fade, players can make better decisions, enhancing their gameplay experience.

The adjustments to audio cues offer a more immersive and strategic environment, ensuring that players can rely on auditory information to gain an edge in combat. Moreover, the changes to tournament queues reward top-performing teams from the regular season, setting the stage for intense playoff competition.

As Valorant continues to evolve and improve, it remains a dynamic and engaging game for both casual and competitive players. Update 7.08 is a testament to Riot Games’ commitment to enhancing the player experience and keeping Valorant at the forefront of the tactical shooter genre. As players adapt to these changes and explore their impact on the game, Valorant’s tactical landscape is poised for exciting transformations, promising more engaging and strategic gameplay.