The Latest VALORANT Public Beta Environment Leaves Players Fuming
Players of VALORANT’s latest public beta environment are expressing their frustration this week. The developers have announced plans to nerf Viper’s arsenal of utility, potentially leaving matchmaking games without smokes until the meta shifts.
Viper’s Fuel Regeneration Under Scrutiny
The focus of the nerf is Viper’s fuel regeneration. The time it takes for Viper to fully recover has increased from 20 seconds to 30, and the amount she regenerates per second has been reduced from 5.5 percent to 3.3 percent.
VALORANT Players Voice Their Displeasure
VALORANT players took to Reddit to express their dissatisfaction with the developer’s decision. Many felt that these changes were unnecessary and undesired by the community. They believe that Viper’s already struggling controller class will suffer even more, leading to fewer smokes in matchmaking games.
Viper Nerfs Spark Controversy
A Reddit post titled “Further Viper nerfs no one asked for on PBE” gained significant attention, further fueling the controversy surrounding these changes.
Challenges for Viper Mains
After the changes are implemented, Viper mains are likely to face additional difficulties. Some players have commented that it’s now “even harder” to play as Viper.
Stats Show Low Pick Rate for Viper
Data from Valorbuff indicates that Viper has only been chosen in approximately 14 percent of matches in the last 30 days. In contrast, Brimstone and Omen have been the most popular choices for controller agents, with pick rates of 28 percent and 39.4 percent, respectively.
Changes Geared Towards Professional Play?
Some players believe that the changes to Viper’s abilities cater primarily to professional play. During the Champions Tour 2023: EMEA League, Viper was picked 47 percent of the time, second only to Omen in both professional and matchmaking pick rates.
Possible Impact on Viper/Habor Combo Strategy
Speculation suggests that these changes may be aimed at countering the Viper/Habor combo strategy. The adjustment to Viper’s fuel regeneration could make it less viable to maintain a wall for extended periods of time, potentially altering gameplay strategies.
Prepare for a Significant Blow to Viper
Regardless of the reasoning behind these changes, VALORANT players should be prepared for a potentially significant impact on their favorite acid-shooting agent.