Valorant
Riot Games is bringing a burst of light to the tactical shooter with Patch 10.04, introducing the new Thai duelist Waylay and implementing significant agent balance changes across the board. The update also brings back fan-favorite maps while addressing gameplay issues that have been frustrating players for months.
Meet Waylay: Thailand's Light-Wielding Duelist
The most exciting addition in Patch 10.04 is undoubtedly Waylay, the new Thai duelist who harnesses light-based abilities to outmaneuver opponents. Players can get their hands on this flashy agent starting at 9:00 AM PT on March 5, 2025, though Riot notes the rollout will be staggered across regions.
Waylay's kit includes four distinct abilities that emphasize mobility and battlefield control:
- Refract: Create a light beacon that Waylay can travel back to
- Light Speed: Dash forward with blinding speed
- Saturate: Throw a cluster of light that hinders nearby players
- Convergent Paths (Ultimate): Create an afterimage that projects a beam of light
Major Agent Overhauls
Several agents are receiving substantial updates in Patch 10.04, potentially shifting the meta in significant ways:
| Agent | Change |
|---|---|
| Waylay | Added to roster (Thailand) - Released March 5th |
| Clove | Meddle explosion changes, Ruse cooldown increased, Pick Me Up duration adjustments |
| Deadlock | Barrier Mesh costs 400 credits, GravNet becomes signature ability |
| Iso | Undercut applies Suppression, Contingency Alt-Fire option, Double Tap tagging reverted |
| Neon | VFX update for Overdrive clarity |
| Tejo | Guided Salvo does 50% damage to non-player objects |
Deadlock's Role Evolution
Perhaps the most significant change is the reworking of Deadlock's ability economy. Her Barrier Mesh, previously a signature ability, now costs 400 credits, while GravNet has been promoted to signature status with a 40-second cooldown. This fundamentally changes how Deadlock players will approach site defense and utility management.
Iso Gets Utility Upgrade
Iso mains will be pleased to see Undercut now applying Suppression alongside Vulnerability, making the ability significantly more potent against ability-reliant agents. Additionally, Contingency receives an Alt-Fire option, while Double Tap's tagging has been reverted to its previous state.
Tejo's Ultimate Interaction Changes
In a change that will impact high-level play, Tejo's Guided Salvo now deals 50% damage to non-player objects. This directly affects the interaction with Killjoy's Lockdown ultimate, potentially creating new counterplay opportunities in post-plant situations.
Map Rotation Shuffle
The map pool is getting refreshed with Ascent and Icebox returning to Competitive and Deathmatch queues, while Abyss and Bind are being temporarily removed.
| Maps | Status |
|---|---|
| Ascent | IN (B Main wall made non-penetrable) |
| Icebox | IN |
| Abyss | OUT |
| Bind | OUT |
Ascent B Main Wall Fix
A particularly noteworthy change addresses a long-standing frustration on Ascent. Part of the B Main wall along B Lane has been made non-penetrable to reduce the weapon spam that occurs at barrier drop. This should create a more balanced experience for both attackers and defenders.
Before: The penetrable wall allowed for spam shooting at barrier drop
After: The non-penetrable wall creates a more balanced B Main approach
Console-Specific Balance Changes
With Valorant now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, Riot is implementing platform-specific adjustments to ensure balanced play across all systems:
| Console-Specific Changes | Details |
|---|---|
| Neon | Overdrive damage multipliers standardized to PC, Sprint fuel drain reduced |
| Yoru | Dimensional Drift unequip delay decreased, Fakeout and Blindside flash duration increased |
| Reyna | Leer health increased from 40 to 100 |
These changes acknowledge the different control schemes between platforms, with adjustments aimed at making certain agents more viable on console without disrupting PC balance.
What's New in the Combat Report?
Patch 10.04 also includes a visual overhaul of the Combat Report's damage breakdown panel. This quality-of-life improvement should make it easier for players to analyze their performance and understand exactly how encounters played out, helping with strategic adjustments between rounds.
When Does Patch 10.04 Go Live?
The patch notes were published on March 4, 2025, with most changes going into effect immediately. However, the new agent Waylay will be released on March 5, 2025, at 9:00 AM PT with a staggered rollout across regions.
This substantial update continues Riot's commitment to keeping Valorant fresh and balanced across all platforms. Whether you're excited to try the new light-wielding duelist or looking forward to the return of Ascent and Icebox, Patch 10.04 offers something for every Valorant player.
For a complete history of recent updates, check out the previous patch notes at Game Updates.