'VALORANT' Reveals Patch 13.02 Notes: Phoenix Ult Nerf, New Retake Maps, AROS Delays, and More

Riot Games has dropped the full patch notes for "VALORANT" Patch 13.02, and it is a lighter update compared to the one that came before it.

'VALORANT' Patch 13.02 Notes: Phoenix Ult Nerf

Phoenix is the only agent receiving a gameplay change in this patch, and the adjustment is targeted specifically at his ultimate ability, Run It Back. The cost of the ultimate has been increased from 6 to 7 ultimate points, meaning players will need to accumulate one extra point before being able to activate it.

Riot noted in the patch notes that it is generally satisfied with Phoenix's current balance, but found he was casting his ultimate more frequently than intended relative to other agents. The single point increase is designed to bring that rate more in line with the rest of the roster without making the ability feel unviable.

New Maps Coming to Retake Mode

Retake mode is getting a meaningful expansion in Patch 13.02, with three maps being added to its pool. Split, Corrode, and Lotus are all joining the rotation, giving players more variety when using the mode for warm-ups or aim training.

Retake is a non-competitive mode in "VALORANT" that drops players into post-plant scenarios, asking defenders to recapture the site before the spike detonates. It has been a useful practice tool for players looking to sharpen their post-plant reads and retake mechanics, and the addition of three more maps means the repetition that comes with a smaller pool is addressed.

AROS: Replication Faces Delay

The most disappointing news in this patch is the confirmation that AROS: Replication will not be arriving as planned. The mode, whose full name is All Random One Site: Replication, was announced at the start of Act 4 and drew comparison to "League of Legends'" ARAM format, generating significant anticipation among the player base.

Riot acknowledged the delay directly in the patch notes and said the decision was not made lightly given the level of interest the mode generated.

The studio confirmed that AROS: Replication is still planned for a future release but provided no specific date, with only a vague promise of more details to come.

Bug Fixes From Riot Games

• Agents
  • Omen
    • Fixed an issue where the Shrouded Step 's obstructed placement indicator is missing.
  • KAY/O
    • Fixed an issue where NULL/cmd 's visual and death audio effects would not play when his downed timer expired.
    • Fixed an issue where NULL/cmd 's death animation played incorrectly after being revived.
  • Cypher
    • Fixed an issue where Cyber Cage displayed incorrect visual effects when cast.
    • Fixed a rare issue where Cypher disconnected while casting Neural Theft .
  • Gekko
    • Fixed an issue where the incorrect voiceover could play when Wingman planted the Spike.
    • Fixed an issue where Wingman could unexpectedly die while planting or defusing the Spike under very low frame rate conditions.
  • Miks
    • Fixed an issue where the M Pulse ability icon and tooltip could be in the wrong place or missing on certain screens.
  • Reyna
    • Fixed an issue where the Dismiss icon remained grayed out after eliminating an enemy.
  • Chamber
    • Fixed an issue where Rendezvous could fail to teleport Chamber back to his anchor.
  • Waylay
    • Fixed an issue on Icebox where Lightspeed and Refract could allow Waylay to clip into the walls of B Tube.
  • Jett
    • Fixed an issue where Tailwind and Updraft could experience an unintended delay after using Cloudburst .
  • Raze
    • Fixed an issue where Boom Bot could briefly travel through solid geometry while locking onto airborne enemies.
  • Deadlock
    • Fixed an issue where Annihilation could incorrectly capture Omen while he was using From the Shadows, resulting in unintended damage of 900100 damage.
  • Vyse
    • Fixed an issue where Razorvine could become indestructible if it was deployed at the same moment Vyse was suppressed.
• Maps
  • Summit
    • Fixed an issue where Agent utility could sometimes be crushed by the door when it was already closed.

PC ONLY - BUG FIXES

• General
  • Fixed a cosmetic issue where Packets Received/Sent Rate graphs showed incorrect values when the game is running at extremely high framerates.

CONSOLE ONLY - BUG FIXES

• Agent
  • Chamber
    • Fixed an issue where Tour de Force missed haptic feedback when equipped and fired.
  • Yoru
    • Fixed an issue where Fakeout was missing aim assistance functionality.
  • Waylay
    • Fixed an issue where using Lightspeed and immediately equipping the Spike or a Flex item could grant unintended dash speed and distance.
• Gameplay Systems
  • Fixed an issue in game modes with no abilities where selecting Agent Info from the Settings menu could close the menu instead of displaying ability information.