Yesterday, Riot Games rolled out Valorant Patch 1.02, a game update which finally enabled the game’s ranked play mode. However, the patch also included an array of Agent updates, quality-of-life improvements, and similar fixes. In amongst these was a hefty overhaul of the Spike Rush game mode which adds a new orb type and changes several others considerably.
Changes to Valorant Spike Rush in Patch 1.02
The new addition to the Valorant Spike Rush mode is the Tracer Orb, a new type of orb. This orb provides a team-wide buff that will reveal enemies for 0.75 seconds when they’re hit, as well as double wall penetration. Best of all, the Tracer Orb’s effects will last for the entire round. As such, this new orb can be a very valuable asset to a team.
Meanwhile, both the Deception Orb and Plague Orb have received several changes. Firstly, the two orbs now share the same pool (that of the Plague Orb, specifically). Only one Deception Orb will be chosen per game now, and only one can spawn per round. The duration of the orb’s effects have gone down from 10 seconds to 8 (the same as the Plague Orb). Finally, the tunnel vision effect has been reduced by 20%, so that players can see more on their screen. Similarly, only one Plague Orb will be chosen per game, and only can spawn per round. The health reduction from the Plague Orb has been reduced from 90 down to 50.
Finally, the Speed Boost ability has been completely changed to a new ability called Combat Stim. The movement speed and durations from this effect are the same. However, the reload time, weapon draw time, and spread recovery time have all gone down by 30%. Similarly, the rate of fire effect has gone up by 30%, while, finally, the jump force has gone up by 25%.