VALORANT Patch 11.04: major agent changes, map rotation updates, and more

VALORANT has rolled out Patch 11.04, bringing noticeable adjustments to agents, a reshuffle in the competitive map pool, new gifting options, and several quality-of-life improvements. This update makes strides in giving players more flexibility, particularly with Chamber and Sage, while also refreshing the competitive environment with Abyss returning to the queue.

Check out the full VALORANT map pool here.

General Updates and Esports Store Gifting

One of the new features is the introduction of gifting in the esports store. Players can now purchase and gift VCT team merchandise skins directly in-game, letting them share team pride with friends. Another notable addition is the launch of a new Philippines server in Manila. This marks the sixth selectable server in Asia Pacific, promising better performance and connectivity for players in the region.

Agent Updates

Balance changes in Patch 11.04 focus on enhancing the utility and range of specific agents.

• Chamber – Trademark
  • The range restriction on Chamber’s trap has been completely removed, empowering him with more strategic flexibility. This change had been unintentionally live since Patch 11.02, but Riot has now made it official.
• Sage – Barrier and Resurrection
  • Sage has been pushed more toward map control. Her Barrier Orb cast range increases from 10m to 15m, and her Resurrection range doubles from 6m to 12m, allowing her to play more safely while still providing immense value to her team.
• Sova – Hunter’s Fury VFX
  • Visual clutter from Sova’s ultimate has been reduced for smoother gameplay.

Additionally, Phoenix received new voice lines, including interaction dialogue with Vyse, giving us a broader look into the lore.

Gameplay Systems Updates

Patch 11.04 polishes the in-game experience with a few tweaks:

• Ping audio softened to be less distracting.
• AOE ultimate indicators clarified: ally zones are now universally teal and enemy zones are yellow, reducing minimap confusion.
• Ability icons now only display if the cast ultimate is destructible, creating a cleaner HUD experience.

Map Pool Shake-Up: Abyss Returns

The competitive rotation sees another shift:

• Abyss is back in Competitive and Deathmatch queues.
• Icebox is out, and likely to undergo reworks or balancing adjustments before its return.

Bug Fixes and Known Issues

Riot addressed a host of bugs across agents and maps:

• Fixed issues with Chamber’s minimap Trademark range, Neon’s ability delays, and line-of-sight bugs with Astra and Harbor abilities.
• Split received an important fix where Molotov-type utilities weren’t spreading properly on stairs.

However, a known issue with resolution and display settings resetting after patching to Unreal Engine 5 remains unresolved. Players are advised to manually reapply their preferred display settings after updating.

Patch 11.04 arrives as a refinement update following VALORANT’s transition to Unreal Engine 5 in Patch 11.02. While smaller in scale, it delivers some balance tweaks, map rotation changes, and crucial bug fixes, leading to a smoother gameplay experience after the technical leap to UE5.

For all things VALORANT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games