New map, new skins, new season.
Earlier than 2022 ended, Riot Video games shocked the VALORANT group by dropping one of many largest recreation updates of the yr that noticed meta-defining modifications for a number of Brokers, gameplay methods, and weapons.
To formally begin the brand new VALORANT season, Riot Video games have dropped Episode 6 Act 1 full with a model new map, pores and skin bundle, and rank reset.
We have now outlined the whole lot you should know concerning the Episode 6 Act 1 replace on this information.
New Map: Lotus
Since Pearl’s launch again in June 2022, gamers have loved numerous matches within the conventional two-bombsite map located in an underwater dome.
It feels prefer it was simply yesterday when Riot Video games launched VALORANT’s eighth map. So it’s arduous to imagine that Pearl debuted virtually greater than six months in the past. Gamers are in all probability already itching for the following huge map to be added to the rotation.
Luckily, followers didn’t have to attend too lengthy as the discharge of Patch 6.0 brings Lotus – a triple-bombsite map that the devs describe as “Impressed by conventional Indian stepwell and rock-cut Dravidian structure.”
Lotus is the second triple-bombsite map in VALORANT, the primary being the basic map, Haven, and if the gameplay in Haven is something to go by, gamers can count on action-packed rotation-heavy gameplay on Lotus as properly. Will probably be fascinating to see how gamers handle manpower between Lotus’ a number of bomb websites whereas maneuvering the map’s distinctive parts akin to destructible, revolving doorways, and silent drop spots.
The excellent news is that the devs are giving gamers a while to rise up shut and private with the brand new map with out having to threat RR or MMR within the course of. For a restricted time, the devs have added a Lotus-only Swiftplay recreation mode, so gamers can get a fast style of the brand new map.
New Pores and skin Bundle: Araxys
A brand new VALORANT Episode/Act won’t really feel full with out a new Weapon Pores and skin Bundle, so for Episode 6 Act 1, the devs have added a brand new Skinline referred to as Araxys.
The Araxys skinline sports activities a futuristic and angular but modern design language that screams alien tech, which isn’t too stunning for the reason that devs say the Araxys weapons have been created by a complicated alien race.
For now, the Araxys skinline will solely cowl the Vandal, Operator, Shorty, Bulldog, and knife. If the skins garner sufficient reputation, then the devs may cowl a further set of weapons sooner or later, very similar to they did with the Reaver skinline.
The Araxys skinline will probably be out there within the VALORANT retailer beginning January 11, 2023.
Rank Reset
2022 was a wild yr for Ranked Video games in VALORANT. Some gamers in all probability misplaced a ton of RR as their favourite Brokers and Weapons acquired sudden reworks all year long, whereas others in all probability reached their peak rank within the final Act.
Regardless for those who misplaced or gained within the earlier Act, Episode 6 Act 1 brings a recent new begin for all gamers. Begin grinding these video games to succeed in new heights for the brand new yr.
The Rank Reset will begin on January 11, 2023.
All Set For The New Yr
With Lotus formally added into the sport, gamers can lastly begin exploring and familiarizing themselves with the ins and outs of VALORANT’s second three-bombsite map. Will probably be fascinating to see the default setups and methods that gamers gravitate towards as extra gamers and groups study the map.
When you have some leftover money from the vacations, choose up an Araxys pores and skin on your favourite gun and raid Lotus in type. There’s nothing like the sensation of getting recent new skins to kickstart your grind for the brand new season.