VALORANT devs reveal another round of Neon nerfs is coming

Neon could be in line for another round of changes, as a Riot Games developer confirmed that the VALORANT Duelist is being considered for a nerf. During a recent Reddit AMA, Game Design Manager penguin confirmed that the team wants to address her current state through pattern-level changes rather than simply reducing her numbers.

Why Riot is targeting Neon?

While VALORANT rewards precise crosshair placement and controlled peeks, Neon’s sprint and combat slide make her movement far more difficult to predict and track. Her speed allows her to break through defensive setups quickly, often closing the distance before opponents can react or deploy their utility.

Over the past few months, Neon has remained a consistent presence in both ranked play and the competitive scene. Despite receiving heavy nerfs in Patch 12.09 in May 2026, the changes have not been enough to prevent her from remaining a popular choice in team compositions.

Riot Games has acknowledged Neon’s current state and confirmed that further nerfs are being considered. During a recent Reddit AMA featuring several Riot developers, players had the opportunity to ask questions about VALORANT’s balance and upcoming changes.

This prompted Game Design Manager penguin to discuss Neon and why the Duelist can still feel frustrating to play against.

Neon remains a top pick

In the current meta, where double-Duelist compositions have become increasingly viable, Neon has established herself as one of the most-picked Agents.

During Stage 2, she was the second-most picked Agent across all regions, highlighting her impact in the competitive meta and the value she brings to aggressive team compositions.

With the ongoing VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai, Neon has continued to appear across a variety of compositions, remaining a prominent choice for several teams.

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Featured Image by Riot Games