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Valorant Patch 12.09 Nerfs Neon and Shotguns, Sentinel Buffs Coming in 13.0

Daniel Cross 2 min read

Valorant Patch 12.09 nerfs Neon's High Gear jump speed and shotgun accuracy, with Sentinel buffs and Initiator cooldown reductions coming in Patch 13.0.

Valorant Patch 12.09 Nerfs Neon and Shotguns, Sentinel Buffs Coming in 13.0
GAMES

Riot Games is making significant balance changes to Valorant in Patch 12.09. The agent Neon will lose her speed boost when using High Gear's jump. Her mid-air speed will now match melee speed. Fuel regeneration from kills will only work while her ultimate is active.

Neon's mobility and shotgun accuracy take a hit

All shotguns are receiving a flat 15% crouched accuracy multiplier. This is a nerf for the Judge and Shorty but a buff for the Bucky. The Bucky's pellet damage up to eight meters has been reduced. Minimum pellet spread for the Bucky and Judge has increased. Movement inaccuracy for shotguns has been standardized.

Valorant agent Neon using High Gear ability in-game
Neon's High Gear jump speed will be reduced in Patch 12.09.

Sentinel and Initiator buffs planned for Patch 13.0

The changes arrive in Patch 12.09. Riot Games also plans Sentinel buffs and Initiator cooldown reductions in Patch 13.0.

Developers Dan 'penguin' Hardison and Tiffy 'TiffyMunchsnax' Tsay said Neon was breaking their dev philosophy on combat. They said she allowed players to take space thoughtlessly. Riot devs noted players were abusing parts of shotguns that were tuned too generously. The developers said Sentinels were weak at punishing Neon and other aggressive Duelists. They also said high Initiator cooldowns at 60 seconds were hard to plan around. Rioters acknowledged it is easy to overswing and reverse the meta state.

Source: PCGAMESN

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