VALORANT Patch 13.05 is a smaller update, but Riot Games has added some important changes for players. The new patch brings Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems, penalties for players using stream sniping and instalock tools, Agent Gear information and several bug fixes.
Riot also confirmed that the next update, Patch 13.06, will be a bigger one and is scheduled to arrive on September 22.
Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems Coming Soon
Pick’Ems are returning for VALORANT Champions Shanghai. Players will be able to make their predictions starting September 10 through the game client and website.
Players can predict which teams will advance from the Group Stage. More points will be given for correctly predicting the exact team placements.
There will also be rewards just for participating. Players need to complete their predictions before the Group Stage begins on September 24.
Riot Adds Penalties for Stream Sniping and Instalock Tools
Riot has started taking action against players who use stream sniping and instalock tools.
Players detected using these tools can receive temporary game bans. If they continue using them, the punishment can increase and eventually become a permanent ban.
Agent Gear Changes Coming With Patch 13.06
Riot also shared an important update about the Agent Gear system.
Starting with Patch 13.06 on September 22, Agent Gear progression will be changed. Players will keep all the items they have already unlocked.
Kingdom Credits will still be used for future items. However, each piece of Agent Gear will also be connected to how much players use that particular Agent.
This means players currently trying to unlock items for Agents they rarely play may want to complete their grind before September 22.
VALORANT Patch 13.05 Bug Fixes
Patch 13.05 fixes several Agent-related problems. Riot fixed issues involving Chamber’s Headhunter, Cypher’s Trapwire and Cyber Cage, Deadlock’s GravNet, Fade’s Seize, KAY/O’s NULL/cmd, Omen’s Dark Cover, Sage’s Healing Orb and Waylay’s abilities.
The update also fixes an issue where smokes could continue blocking flashes while disappearing.
On PC, players can now choose 10, five or one bot in Range Practice Mode. Five bots will now be the default option.
Sound Sprays have also been changed. Their sounds can now only be heard when players are nearby, helping teams communicate without unnecessary audio from far away.
