Welcome back to the Chicks Gold blog series, within this article, we will be exploring the new Episode in Valorant. This isn't just an update; it also opens the door to new beginnings in-game, with new content to explore; however, there is more to dive into than that. Riot Games has provided some much-needed information on the upcoming Valorant Episode 9 Act 1, and fortunately for our readers, we are here to provide an in-depth breakdown of the upcoming content. We'll explore the maps, how to win matches and everything else you'll need for flawless gameplay.
Episode 9 Act 1 Valorant: New Additions
The first thing to know about Valorant Episode 9 is this update will bring a brand-new battle pass. The current battle pass is set to finish on Tuesday, June 25. With the Valorant Episode 9 release date last approaching, you can expect new skills, a new skin line, an original bundle and a bunch of new cosmetics to personalize your journey.
While there are still some mysteries to be solved which we likely won't get the answers to until the Episode is underway, there's still plenty we can provide you answers for to ensure you're well prepared when the battles begin. For instance, there are a few things the community have been pleading for, and their prayers have been answered. With the changes of the last patch, 8.11, the buff of agents like Neon and Reyna destroyed the possibility of playing other agents. The killing buffs they received limit the meta, making the game more repetitive and less diverse in the agent picks.
Other expected changes or adjustments are due to major bugs in the new map, Abyss, and the most recent launch of Valorant. However, the community expects Riot Games to address some problems, like the possibility of surviving the fall from the map when agents fall off the edges. Another thing they should fix is related to Phoenix’s Ultimate when it hits the ground; you were able to walk around the bottom of the map and shoot enemies from below, even in post-plating situations.
Thankfully, Riot will try to solve most of these annoying bugs. The community is also asking for a balance for agents like Reyna, most players pray to nerf her abilities, which are overwhelming for the competitive scene and everyone in general.
Something most relevant about this upcoming update is the Valorant Map Rotation in Episode 9. There’s little to no expectation of seeing a rotation. The Valorant Episode 9 Map Pool is expected to stay the same since the last map addition on the previous patch. The hopes of seeing a new scenario and having some fun are anything but close. However, this is normal since the creation of maps takes time, and it hasn’t been too long since we were provided with Abyss.
However, a new agent is expected since Riot Games teases an image showing claw-like hands covered in a dense fog. However, there is still little to no information regarding this agent aside from the fact it is rumored their kit will include twisting vines and sharp thorns. So, it's likely we will see them introduced at a later stage of Valorant Episode 9.
What we know is that the competitive game mode Premier will receive some updates and adjustments with Episode 9 Valorant. These changes are a necessity, and here you can check what will be part of the game in this upcoming update:
- Invite Division: It’s when you finish the Stage with a rank high enough to earn an opportunity to reach the Challenger League
- Roster Restriction: For this one, you must be Contender Eligible to be able to join a team or invite someone in Contender.
- Contender and Invite Weekly Matches: You will have two matches per week, and the queue opens 15 minutes before the matches start. Moreover, the Strict Rematch Protection is on, and if you can’t find a match, you won’t lose award points; simply say Bye.
- Contender and Invite Playoffs: You can qualify for the playoffs by being one of the top teams. The playoff finals are best of 3.
Downtime is expected to be 4 hours for Valorant Episode 9, and depending on the location, the update can hit on June 25th or June 26th. If you are in Asia or Korea, the update will be delayed a little, and the American counterpart will have some first thoughts on this new Episode earlier.
Episode 9 Valorant: What Else Is New?
Aside from Valorant Episode 9 Act 1, there have been some other talks going on in the community, and another exciting announcement was made. Valorant has taken its first steps into console territory. Recently, Xbox and PlayStation 5 players have been able to enjoy a limited beta of Valorant, allowing players to test the waters of the game on varying platforms.
It isn't the complete version of Valorant, but it does introduce console players to all core non-competitive game modes to allow a select number of players to test their skill during the beta. Nonetheless, it's still big news for those who wish to prove their in-game skills without owning a PC. So, for those of you who have long wondered when the game will be available across other platforms, your wait is slowly coming to an end!
If you want to partake in the beta testing, it isn't as simple as just downloading and diving into action; you will first need to have a key/code to enter. So make sure you don't delay too long.
During the test of Valorant on console, players had the opportunity to connect their Valorant account. While the skins and cosmetics aren’t added just yet, they will be included in future updates and will offer the same level as PC on the final version following the beta. Testers will have noticed that Riot decided to block the cross-play with PC players, and the only way to play the beta was with a controller. It’s not possible to play with a mouse and keyboard; this decision is to ensure consistency and avoid any advantage for those with different peripherals.
For the moment, the question "Can you play Valorant on console?" remains. The answer is somewhat up in the air, with a yes and a no. Let’s elaborate on this. This is a limited beta only available for players in the following locations: USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan; however, the Riot team will open up to more regions while the beta is still active, so if you are not part of the first wave, don’t worry you will have more chances to test Valorant on console in the near future.
The tester will not only have the chance to play the first stages of Valorant on console, but they will also obtain a special player card for being part of the limited beta. It’s more than likely the Riot team will allow new players to enter the beta until the testing period ends, and that will be followed by the full version launch of Valorant for a new sector of the gamer community: console players.
Valorant Episode 9 FAQ
With every new update, it’s normal to have some questions about all the upcoming changes that can affect the play style and the gameplay of Valorant. As this will be a new episode, the first questions around the topic surely will be as follows:
When will be Valorant Console release date?
The release date for Valorant console is still being determined since there is no news about the official release for all console players. However, the limited beta started on June 14th and will expand over time to new regions and add more players.
When is Valorant Episode 9 launched?
The release date for Valorant Episode 9 Act 1 will vary depending on your region; for eastern regions like Asia, the update will hit on June 26th, but for North America, South America, and other regions, it will be on June 25th.
Valorant Episode 9 Act 1 Summary
Valorant is a game with biweekly updates, so the content always flows for players. Of course, the division of episodes and acts makes it easier for everyone to understand the changes. With each patch, Riot Game tries to keep the game fun and full of new features, maps, or agents. Follow the updates closely in our blog section, and you can check more games like Diablo, OSRS, RS3 and more with similar updates, guides, and walkthroughs. Moreover, if you want to buy a Valorant account, you can check out our page, which is tailored to the best ones, with unique cosmetics, skins, and more. That’s all for now, see you soon!
