Valorant Update 9.03 Patch Notes

The recent Update 9.03 for Valorant brings significant changes aimed at refining gameplay for both PC and console players. The new map, Pearl, is now available for console users, adding a fresh environment for strategic play. This update enhances many aspects of the game, including interactions with overlapping objects and ground-spreading abilities, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience.

Valorant, developed by Riot Games, launched officially in June 2020 and quickly rose to prominence in the competitive gaming world. Known for its precise gunplay and unique character abilities, the game attracts both casual and professional players. Frequent updates bring new content and gameplay tweaks, keeping the game dynamic and engaging for its growing player base.

Valorant's Latest Patch Delivers PC and Console-Specific Fixes

The latest update brings essential fixes tailored for both PC and console players. On PC, the patch addresses a bug requiring players to hold the Tab key during the pre-round phase to enable the cursor, enhancing user convenience. Console players receive the Pearl map in the Unrated and Swift Play queues, expanding their available gameplay options.

Several other bugs have also been resolved. One bug fix prevents players from equipping a weapon when pressing an Ability button while defusing the Spike. Another fix resolves an issue where simultaneous opening of the Ability map and Shop/Scoreboard would result in input loss.

This update aims to improve the stability across all platforms, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience. Given the competitive nature of the hero shooter genre, maintaining Valorant's position through updates like these is crucial for delivering a high-quality experience to its players.

GENERAL UPDATES

• Made enhancements to the functionality of overlapping interactable objects, ensuring more consistent execution of intended actions.
  • For instance, Cypher’s Spycam dart will no longer obstruct attaching to a rope when directly looked at.

AGENT UPDATES

Ground Spreading Abilities

Improvements have been made to abilities that spread along the ground, such as Brimstone’s Incendiary and Viper's Snakebite. Previously, their effects could vary widely based on where they landed, sometimes damaging through walls or affecting areas not visually covered. The update ensures these abilities now consistently spread and apply damage only where visually indicated.

Map Targeted Abilities

Players can now benefit from enhanced ping functionality and additional icons on maps when using certain targeted abilities. This includes Brimstone’s Sky Smoke and Orbital Strike, Clove’s Ruse, and Omen’s From The Shadows.

Sage’s Barrier Orb

The preview for Barrier Orb placement is now visible on the minimap, providing additional clarity to players planning their defensive strategies.

PERFORMANCE UPDATES

• Enhanced the effectiveness of Iso’s Kill Contract ability.

BUG FIXES

General

• Addressed an issue where opening menus caused the toggle crouch and toggle walk states to reset.

Gameplay Systems

• Resolved a bug where pinging guns on the ground did not display the gun's name in the text feed.
• Corrected a rare issue where the defuse timer showed ‘-00.00’ if the Spike was defused as the round timer hit 0.
• Fixed a problem where Ability icons did not appear on the minimap for Observers.
• Addressed a scenario where enemies visible to players did not appear on the minimap.
• Corrected overlapping issues with „DAMAGE TO YOU/YOU DEALT“ in the Combat Report.
• Improved font size readability in the Combat Report for various languages.
• Resolved an issue where auto re-scoping for Outlaw, Marshall, and Operator stayed active during reloads.

Maps

Abyss

• Fixed a clipping issue in Mid Library where thrown abilities could pass through shelves into gameplay space.
• Resolved a bug where Agent utility could be thrown off the map and used as a platform.
• Revised messaging from the Scions of the Hourglass to correct text errors.
• Addressed a minor visual bug with the railings around Defender Spawn.

The Range

• Corrected translation errors for certain words not being properly translated into various languages within the Range.

Bug Fixes

Client

• Combat Report
  • Resolved an issue where the [Tab] key needed to be held while using the cursor toggle button in the pre-round phase to activate the cursor.

MAP UPDATES

• Pearl is now available in both Unrated and Swift Play game modes, offering players a fresh environment to test their strategies and skills.

KNOWN ISSUES

General

• Simultaneous Input Problem: Resolved an issue where opening both the Ability Map and the Shop/Scoreboard simultaneously led to loss of input.
• Weapon Equip While Defusing: Fixed a problem where pressing an Ability button during Spike defusal would cause a weapon to be equipped.

Agents

• Harbor
  • High Tide Issue: Addressed a bug that caused Harbor's High Tide wall to end prematurely.