Valorant v3.09 patch notes: Classic nerf, Fracture changes, new esport feautres

Valorant has got its final patch before the release of Episode 3 Act 3 and as you can imagine it's a relatively small one.

The headline changes are a nerf to the starting pistol, the Classic, which the developers stated was "over-performing in close to mid-range encounters" especially when "jumping or on the move".

Also catching the developers' attention is the game's newest map Fracture, the 'defenders start in the middle' vibe certainly hasn't become an instant hit with many players with it felt to be too attacked sided (well who would have thought?), the developers have made a number of changes that look to give the defenders a fighting chance.

You can check out the full patch notes below.

Valorant v3.09 patch notes

Weapon Updates

Classic (Right-click)

The Classic has been over-performing in close to mid-range encounters when used while jumping or on the move. So we’ve reduced the weapon’s effective accuracy while jumping, running, and walking, with the intent of narrowing it’s ideal use case to only really close ranges.

• Walking firing error changed .05 >>> .6 (total error is 2.5 when walking, up from 1.95)
• Running firing error changed .2 >>> 1.3 (total error is 3.2 when running, up from 2.1)
• Jumping firing error changed from 1.1 >>> 2.1 (total error is 4.0 when jumping, up from 3.0)

Map Updates

Fracture

• The B Arcade attacker barrier is shifted back towards Attacker Side Bridge, to allow defenders to more easily contest the area
• Defender barrier at A Rope moved up to the top of ropes to make it easier for Sentinels to prepare.
• A Hall orb shifted into more neutral space, making it less favorable for attackers
• New piece of cover in Attacker spawn added to break the long sightline from Hall

entrance to B Main, which should relieve some pressure from attackers when defenders fast flank

Game Systems Updates

• Smoother Ropes/Ziplines
  ○ Fixed jittery movement that could occur when stopping or changing directions on a zipline or rope. This was most noticeable when repeatedly moving a small amount and stopping.

Esports Features

• Observers using gamepad controllers are no longer locked out of the X/Y axes when speeding up with the right bumper (R1).
• Free Cam observers rejoice!
• Observers now have the option to set handedness for teams
  • When this option is toggled, observers will see players that start the match on attacker as right-handed, and players that start the match on defender will be left-handed.

General

• One path for all traffic into game servers
  • For those of you particular to a preferred server, you may notice a previously preferred location is no longer there. Don’t worry, we simply consolidated what was two paths into the game servers into one—we did not remove any servers.

Bugs

Competitive

● Fixed a bug that was causing the default Act Rank badge to display on Unrated game loading screens

Agents

• Cypher can no longer place Spycam on the Breeze door in order to destroy or see through the door when it's lowered.
  • Similarly, fixed random spots where Cypher could not place Spycam in the same area.
• Fixed bug that displayed Jett’s 1P Updraft visuals incorrectly