In the latest patch for VALORANT, Patch 8.11, the agent Iso has finally received some buffs that have the potential to make him a strong pick. The changes to Iso focus on improving his Double Tap ability, which previously required a kill and shooting an orb to activate the shield effect. Now, Iso automatically gets the shield for free after waiting just one second.
This change has significant implications for Iso’s gameplay. One of the biggest advantages is that Iso can now more effectively deal with Operator users like Jett or Chamber at the beginning of a round without putting himself or his teammates in danger. Previously, Iso had to secure a kill to activate his shield, leaving him vulnerable to the powerful shots of an Operator. But now, Iso can use Double Tap to peek common Operator angles and easily tank one hit if necessary.
The impact of this buff becomes even more pronounced when Iso combines it with his Kill Contract ultimate ability. If an Operator user gets caught in Iso’s ultimate while he has his Double Tap shield up, they will have to waste their valuable slow-op shot to break the shield before attempting a kill. This gives Iso a significant advantage and allows him to secure an easy first kill while removing the dangerous sniper from the round.
Some players have even suggested that this buff could potentially discourage players from buying an Operator altogether if they know there’s an Iso on the enemy team. The cost of the Operator is high, and it would be frustrating to not get any value out of it if Iso ults and kills you right at the beginning of the round. This passive impact alone makes Iso a formidable threat on the battlefield.
However, there are some skeptics who are unsure if these buffs will be enough to make Iso a truly viable duelist. The true impact of the changes will become clearer once Patch 8.11 goes live and players have a chance to try out the updated Iso for themselves.
Iso’s Buffs in Patch 8.11
Patch 8.11 in VALORANT introduces several changes aimed at improving the gameplay of four duelists: Neon, Reyna, Raze, and Iso. Iso, in particular, has been considered one of the weaker agents in the game, and this buff was much-needed to bring him up to par with other duelist characters like Yoru, Cypher, and Deadlock.
The previous iteration of Iso’s Double Tap ability required him to secure a kill and shoot an orb to activate the shield effect. This often put Iso at a disadvantage, especially against Operator users who could easily take him out before he could activate his shield. However, with the changes in Patch 8.11, Iso now receives the shield for free after just waiting one second. He can refresh the shield’s duration by getting a kill and shooting the orb or obtain a second charge by getting two kills.
The enhanced Double Tap ability now allows Iso to confidently challenge Operator users at the start of a round without risking his life. This change significantly impacts the dynamics of the game, as Iso can deny the enemy team’s first blood and give his own team a chance to secure the site. The value of the Operator, the most expensive gun in VALORANT, is diminished when Iso is on the field.
The buffs to Iso’s Double Tap ability make him a formidable force in VALORANT. His ability to handle Operator users and the advantage he gains from his ultimate ability, Kill Contract, with the shield active, make him a powerful duelist. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to make Iso a top-tier pick.
With the release of Patch 8.11, the VALORANT community eagerly awaits the implementation of these buffs and the subsequent impact they will have on the agent’s viability. Only time will tell if Iso will rise up as a force to be reckoned with in the game.