Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
VALORANT Reyna holding eye flash and Killjoy sitting next to a box
Image via Riot Games

Riot plans to reshape the duelist role in VALORANT next patch with Raze nerfs, buffs to underused agents

Satchel surfers in the mud.

VALORANT‘s upcoming 8.11 patch, set to arrive in early June, will focus primarily on drastically increasing the diversity of the duelist role, via a plethora of buffs and nerfs the devs hope will better balance the agents in that role.

Recommended Videos

Notably, Raze will receive some nerfs that are “focused on her satchel ability,” as she’s been “an overly dominant pick in this space,” according to product manager Coleman Palm in the latest VALORANT dev diary.

Promotional artwork for VALORANT agent Iso.
Iso remains the only agent not to be picked in VCT 2024. Image via Riot Games

The team is also targeting three duelist agents to receive buffs in the next patch: Iso, Neon, and somewhat surprisingly, Reyna. For Iso and Neon, the focus will be on “what makes them unique,” meaning Iso’s Shield Paradigm and Neon’s Slide will receive adjustments in the way of a buff, with each agent also set to receive some small other tweaks.

Reyna, already considered a strong ranked agent, apparently struggled in “coordinated teamplay” environments, such as Premier and pro play. Reyna’s changes in 8.11 will focus on improving her viability in teamplay while reducing her strength as a solo ranked agent.

The specific buffs and nerfs for each duelist agent are yet to be determined, but the dev team promises these will be the last significant changes to the game before VALORANT Champions 2024, which ends in the final week of August. Some “larger balance changes” and changes to modes are currently in the works for after Champions.

Patch 8.11 will also feature some long-awaited changes to the map pool.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.