VALORANT Patch Notes 6.0

The VALORANT 6.0 update is here and comes with a lot of big changes, such as a brand-new map, changes to returning maps, gameplay alterations, competitive changes, and bug fixes. VALORANT is starting off 2023 with Episode 6 Act I, and the tactical FPS is expected to see other big changes throughout the year, such as the Premiere competitive mode. So, if you need a full breakdown of the VALORANT patch notes 6.0 and the changes, read on.

• Make sure you also check out the VALORANT Episode 6 Act I breakdown. 

VALORANT Patch Notes 6.0: Map Updates

Click to enlarge

New Map: Lotus

• Lotus is a new 3-site map that offers a variety of rotation options. Unlock the
  secrets behind the doors of these ancient ruins.
• Please note that the Lotus-only queue will only be playable in Swiftplay mode for one week and then goes into the competitive and Unrated map rotation in Patch 6.1.

Split
Split is returning with a few tweaks to make attacking a little easier

A main

• First engagement area for Attackers has been widened and a small ledge added for mixups.
• Boost box next to the orb has been reduced to give Attackers a new position
  looking into A site.

A Rafters

• The under-over area has been removed, making this much easier to deal with as an Attacker.

A Tower

• The back section of the Tower has been flattened to make the fight to Ramps
  easier for both teams.

Mid

• Players can now silently drop down Mid platform.
• The trick-jump up onto Mid box has also been removed for simplicity.

Tower

• Defender side jump up box has been removed to simplify the space.

B Rope Pocket

• The hard corner here has been smoothed out to make clearing the spot easier.

Map Rotation

• Please note that Breeze and Bind have now been removed from competitive and Unrated
  map rotation, but are still playable in all other modes.

VALORANT Patch Notes 6.0: Gameplay And General

Click to enlarge

Variant Favorites are here!

• We’ve heard your feedback and added the ability to favourite specific Variants of your gun skins (along with some UX/UI changes to better support that). Now, when you favourite a specific Variant, only your favourite Variants will enter the potential pool of weapons you can take into game if you’ve equipped the Random Favorite for that weapon type.
• On release, your existing favourite weapon skins will now have all unlocked
  Variants favourited to maintain consistency with current behaviour.

Reworked how guns process Zoom inputs for ADS and Scopes when using Toggle Zoom.

• There should now be fewer cases that can lead to Zoom disagreements between the Client and Server under adverse network conditions like packet loss and ping jitter. Additionally, Zoom Inputs when using Toggle Zoom can now be buffered earlier than before and multiple zoom level transitions can be buffered at once.

Omen’s Dark Cover (E)

• Dark Cover placed inside walls will now fall to the height of nearby ground.
• One-way smokes are a part of VALORANT, but they are difficult to play against
  and we want to keep them limited to intentional and understandable areas.
  We'll be keeping a close eye on how this impacts Omen's power levels

VALORANT Patch Notes 6.0: Competitive

Click to enlarge

Overall, the changes below should make Ranked Rating gains and losses feel more consistent, and reduce the effect stomps have on your RR. We’ll keep a close eye on the data to make additional adjustments as necessary.

Episode reset reminder: A new Episode means a ranked reset! Expect your
placement rank to be lower than at the end of Episode 5, and good luck on your climb!

• Context: Remember we reset each episode to kick of the start of a new ranked ladder. This is a chance for players to show of their skill in the new season, as well as reset players in the ladder who may no longer be active

For all players: Ranked Rating gains/losses will depend slightly more on Win/Loss,
and slightly less on the exact round differential of the match.

• Context: Players experience too wide of RR gains/losses from match to match
  based on the round dif erential (one win could give 12RR, and the next win
  could give 20RR). We’re making this change to reduce that swing of RR in gains
  and losses.
• Winning is still the most important way to climb!

For players whose ranks are far away from their MMR: RR gains will depend
more on individual performance, instead of round differential. You should also see your rank and MMR converge faster.

• Context: We received feedback that players felt like they would not be rewarded for a good game, or punished too harshly for a bad game during their ranked climb.
• If a player's rank is below their actual MMR, they will be rewarded more for a
  good game. If a player's rank is above their MMR, they will not be harshly
  penalized if they lose, but perform well in that match.

VALORANT Patch Notes 6.0: Bug Fixes

Cosmetics

• Odin’s ammo belt will no longer visually pop into a vertical position when swapping gun buddies in the Model Viewer

Maps - Ascent

• Fixed a bug when breaking the door at Market by using an ability on the wall to the side of it.

Agents

• Fixed a bug where Cypher’s Trapwire (C) could be placed through Sage’s Barrier Orb (C).
• Fixed objects like traps that were not being damaged if they are placed in molotov
  patches that are already active.
• Fixed bug where you could see Skye’s Seekers (X) on the minimap while they were still
  invisible if you had line of sight to their hidden location
• Fixed a bug where suppression would not properly interrupt Fade’s Prowler (C) control.
• Fixed a bug where Viper was able to deactivate her ultimate, Viper’s Pit (X), while
  suppressed.

Various gameplay damage interactions fixed:

• Killjoy’s Lockdown (X) now properly takes damage from all abilities.
• Fixed Skye’s Trailblazer (Q) dealing damage to enemy Skye’s Trailblazer (Q) and
  Sova’s Owl Drone (C)
• Fixed Sova’s Hunter’s Fury (X) and Breach’s Aftershock (C) not damaging Raze’s
  Blast Pack (Q).
• Fixed Phoenix’s Blaze (C) not dealing damage to Harbor’s Cove (Q), Raze’s Blast
  Pack (Q), Reyna’s Leer (C), Sova’s Recon Bolt (E), and KAY/O’s ZERO/POINT
  (E).
• Fixed Brimstone’s Orbital Strike (X) not dealing damage to Harbor’s Cove (Q).
• Fixed Breach’s Aftershock (C), Raze’s Showstopper (X) and Paint Shells (E),
  damaging allied Killjoy’s Nanoswarm (C).
• Fixed Sova Hunter’s Fury (X) damaging allied Fade’s Haunt (E).
• Fixed Killjoy’s Nanoswarm (C), Phoenix’s Hot Hands (E) and Blaze (C) not
  dealing damage to Chamber’s Rendezvous (E) and Trademark (C).

That's all for our coverage of the VALORANT patch notes 6.0, and now you have everything that changed or was added in the latest patch. 

We also cover the best VALORANT crosshair codes, so you can test out the reticule of a pro player and see if it works for you.