VALORANT Patch 4.04 Introduces Massive Changes to Agents and Icebox
The latest update for VALORANT, Patch 4.04, brings significant changes to agents and the Icebox map. The controller meta will be affected by this update, and Yoru finally receives a much-needed rework.
Agent Changes
Patch 4.04 improves the system for placing abilities on the ground, making it easier for several agents to use their abilities in tight spaces. Omen, Viper, Chamber, Killjoy, Yoru, and Sage players will find it easier to find valid locations for their abilities.
Omen
Omen has received a buff in this patch. The cooldown for his Dark Cover ability has decreased from 40 to 30 seconds, but its price has increased from 100 to 150. The projectile speed has also significantly increased. The Shrouded Step ability now costs 100 instead of 150, and the pre-teleport delay has been decreased. The Paranoia ability no longer blinds players adjacent to Omen.
Brimstone
Brimstone has received a buff as well. The deploy time for his Sky Smoke ability has decreased, and the deploy radius and smoke height have been increased. Additionally, his Stim Beacon now provides a speed boost alongside Rapid Fire.
Astra
Astra has been nerfed in Patch 4.04 to allow other controllers to shine. The number of stars she can place has been reduced, and the cooldown for retrieving stars has been increased. However, she can now pick up stars during the buy phase to refund their cost and can place them further across the map. The cooldown for her abilities has also been increased.
Viper
Viper has received adjustments in this patch, making it crucial for players to strategically choose when to use her abilities. Her fuel drain increases when her Toxic Screen and Poison Cloud are both active, and her fuel bar turns red when she lacks enough fuel to activate her abilities. The cooldown for her abilities has also been adjusted.
Yoru
The highly anticipated Yoru rework is finally here in Patch 4.04. Yoru now has a life-sized decoy with 150 HP, which players can send running forward. When the decoy is damaged, it runs toward the enemy, flashing enemies within the blast radius. The Gatecrash ability has been improved, and Yoru’s ultimate ability, Dimensional Drift, has also undergone changes.
Icebox Rework
Icebox has received a significant rework in Patch 4.04. The B site has undergone adjustments to change how teams defend and attack the area. Minor changes have also been made to the middle lane and A site. For a complete breakdown of the Icebox changes, click here.
The Ascent map has also received a minor update, allowing players to grab the B orb without jumping to the top box.
Deterministic Map System
Patch 4.04 introduces the new deterministic map system, currently being tested in LATAM before potentially being implemented in other regions. This system aims to increase the variety of maps players encounter and prevent them from playing the same map repeatedly. The system follows specific rules when selecting maps for players to play.
The patch also addresses several bugs and glitches. For a complete list of changes, check out the official patch notes.
VALORANT, Patch 4.04, agent changes, Icebox rework, controller meta, Yoru rework, Omen, Brimstone, Astra, Viper, Yoru, deterministic map system