VALORANT Act 4: Patch 11.00 Breakdown

VALORANT Act 4 Patch: Nerfs, Buffs and New Map Corrode

VALORANT’s newest update, Patch 11.00, is here—and it’s a big one. With sweeping changes to Duelist Agents, the arrival of the long-teased map Corrode, and the launch of Act 4, this patch signals a hard shift back to tactical gunplay. Whether you're a ranked grinder or a casual shooter fan, there's a lot to unpack. Here's everything you need to know about the VALORANT 11.00 patch, including how it may affect your rank, the meta, and your Agent picks moving forward.

New Era for Duelists in VALORANT

In recent months, VALORANT's gameplay leaned heavily toward utility usage. Riot is now swinging the pendulum back with Patch 11.00, nerfing oppressive Duelist abilities to boost precision-based gunplay and create more opportunities for counterplay.

This update makes it clear that Riot wants gunfights to matter more. Duelists like Reyna, Neon, and Phoenix have been toned down to prevent them from dominating every encounter with quick flashes or hard-to-dodge utilities. Meanwhile, underperforming Duelist Waylay is getting a big buff, potentially carving out a new spot for her in both casual and competitive metas.

These updates are likely to boost the viability of alternative Agent compositions, opening the door for more strategic diversity—especially in ranked matches.

Waylay Finally Gets the Buff She Needed

After debuting to lukewarm reception earlier this year, Waylay struggled to find a solid spot in the meta. Now, she's receiving direct buffs to all her basic abilities:

• Refract is now faster and easier to disengage from.
• Lightspeed and Saturate have reduced delays and increased area of effect.

These changes allow Waylay to enter fights more aggressively and capitalize on openings faster. If you've avoided picking her in ranked due to underperformance, this patch might change your mind.

Duelist Nerfs: A Level Playing Field

Patch 11.00 reins in several dominant Duelists:

• Reyna’s Leer now has 80 HP instead of 100, making it easier to shoot down and stop her aggressive entries.
• Neon’s Relay Bolt now has a longer windup, giving opponents more time to react.
• Phoenix’s Curveball delay has been increased, creating windows for counter-engagements.

These changes won’t make these Duelists obsolete, but they do prevent them from snowballing too easily, particularly in solo queue. If you're trying to boost your rank quickly, consider exploring alternate roles or Agents who benefit from the patch's changes.

New Map: Corrode Set in a Radianite-ruined French town, Corrode is VALORANT’s newest map—and it’s a love letter to classic FPS design. With its wide-open lanes, limited cover, and high-contrast visuals, gunplay takes center stage. Corrode features: A traditional three-lane layout Minimal utility cover Long angles that reward accurate shooting Two bomb sites focused on cross-map control Because it favors shooting skill over utility usage, Corrode is expected to shift the meta significantly. Players focused on boosting their rank through smart engagements and mechanical skill will likely love this map.

Competitive & Casual Play on Corrode

To ease the learning curve, Riot is introducing a Swiftplay Corrode-only queue available until June 30, 2025. Players can experiment with strategies, angles, and site takes without risking a full ranked match.

Meanwhile, Corrode will be part of the official Competitive and Deathmatch map pool starting immediately. The adjusted RR system for new maps means you’ll lose less on losses but gain full points for wins, giving players more reason to dive in.

VALORANT Patch 11.00 Map Pool

With Corrode entering the scene, the map rotation also shifts. Here's the first map rotation of Valorant Act 4:

• Corrode
• Bind
• Ascent
• Fracture
• Haven
• Icebox
• Lotus

This pool emphasizes variety, blending utility-heavy maps like Fracture with gunplay-heavy arenas like Corrode.

What to Expect in Act 4 of V25

With Patch 11.00, Riot is pushing VALORANT toward a more skill-intensive, gunplay-first shooter experience. The changes to Duelists, the introduction of Corrode, and buffs to Waylay mark a strategic turning point. Players looking to boost their rank should consider mastering the new map early and exploring Agents that can adapt to a more balanced meta.

As VALORANT Act 4 begins, expect the meta to shift rapidly. Whether you're a Duelist main adjusting to nerfs or a Controller looking for your moment, this patch is your chance to climb—and maybe even start improving your squad’s win rate too.

 

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