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VALORANT Patch 7.08 – New smoke changes tilt pro players
The competitive landscape of Valorant is set for a seismic shift as Riot Games introduces controversial changes in Patch 7.08, specifically altering the mechanics of smoke abilities used by Controller Agents.
This update, aimed at making the game more casual-player-friendly, has sparked an uproar within the competitive community, who argue it could undermine the skill-based nature of high-level play.
Valorant, a game that has carved a niche for itself by striking a balance between accessibility and competitive complexity, is pushing the boundaries with its latest patch.
The new changes, tested on Valorant’s Public Beta Environment (PBE), introduce audio and visual cues for the smokes deployed by characters like Omen, Astra, and Brimstone, signaling the dissipation of these smokes 1.5 seconds in advance.
Pro Players quick to share their thoughts on VALORANT Patch 7.08
While these tweaks might seem minor, they carry significant implications. Casual players stand to benefit, as the cues provide a safety net, preventing unexpected deaths caused by abruptly vanishing smokes. However, this safety net is exactly what has irked the pros. The element of surprise and the skill in timing, they argue, are being eroded, potentially dumbing down the strategic depth that defines high-stakes Valorant matches.
The backlash was swift on social media. Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin from NAVI was one of the first to voice discontent, hinting at a broader wave of criticism if the changes went live.
“It’s gonna change a lot actually for pro players, especially for players who just launched the game. Basically riot need to delete this before everyone has seen it, otherwise hate will start.”
Brendan “BcJ” Jensen, known for his strategic use of Controller Agents, lamented the loss of an advantage they held, foreseeing a drastic change in combat dynamics.
“Not really a big fan of this change. It gave controller players a huge advantage to know exactly when smokes fade. Overall will change a lot of fights imo.”
Meanwhile, Sentinels’ Zachary “zekken” Patrone sarcastically suggested that further ‘improvements’ could be made, indicating disapproval of the game’s current direction. This sentiment was echoed across the board, with figures like G2’s coach Josh “JoshRT” Lee and players Anthony “vanity” Malaspina and Son “xeta” Seon-ho expressing similar concerns.
The common thread? Riot Games is lowering the game’s skill ceiling to cater to a casual audience, potentially at the expense of its competitive integrity.
While Patch 7.08 might make Valorant more accessible for some, it’s clear that for the competitive scene, these changes are a step in the wrong direction. Only time will tell if this move will be a masterstroke in expanding Valorant’s player base or a misstep that alienates its most loyal players.
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