Several Nerfs Confirmed For VALORANT Operator Next Week
The Operator has earnt its nickname "OP", both through its name and through it being so overpowered. Its ability to decimate opponents has seen it rise in popularity, as the more skilled players can dominate games by using it to hold down angles and pick off easy kills. The Operator is high-risk high-rewards, as it can come at the price of your life should you miss, leaving your team vulnerable and low your agents low on cash.
Recently, many professional players have taken to social media to vent their frustration at how the sniper is so overpowered. In an interview with VALORANT Developer, Nick Wu Smith, Team Liquid's Lucas "Mendo" Hakansson questioned the sniper, with the dev confirming some aspects of the weapon will change.
One minute and 20 seconds in, they dive straight in on the OP, with Wu Smith explaining that the sniper will now cost 5,000 credits (an increase of 500), which will mean players will struggle to utilise it in early rounds. Alongside a list of nerfed aspects, the Operator will become better in certain areas too, evenly balancing out the weapon to be just of its cost. Elements such as the fire rate have been increased, which will make it much quicker and more forgiving.
A full list of changes is:
- Price increased from 4500 to 5000
- Scope Movement Speed decreased from 76% to 72%
- Scope Deadzone increased 30% to 50% movement speed - inaccurate aiming sooner after moving, slowly become accurate after 2.2 seconds.
- Fire Rate Increased from 0.75 to 0.6
- Equip Time increased from 0.3s to 0.5s
- Leg Shot damage reduced from 127 to 120
- Jump Land Accuracy has been altered to cause a slightly longer inaccuracy time after landing from a jump
Wu Smith said "It feels more like OP is overperforming in aggressive, offensive use cases." later adding that "players have gotten really good at peeking with this weapon, and I think it's overperforming in a way that's getting really frustrating and it feels like there's not a lot you can do about it".
With these balances rolling out in next weeks update, players can expect to get their head popped off less in the future.
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Image via Riot Games