Valorant has taken this year in stride, with the release of new agents Neon and Fade, as well as the addition of the Xbox Game Pass, there have been tons for fans of the tactical shooter to enjoy, and that won't change with Episode 5 Act 1.
The new update is set to bring on a new map, Pearl, a whole new rank in Ascendant, introduce a new map pool, and more.
With that being said, here's everything you need to know about Valorant Episode 5, Act 1, kicking off with patch 5.0.
LATEST: Valorant Episode 5 Act 1 Release Time
The next major Valorant update is finally just around the corner, and with so much to look forward to, you won't want to miss its arrival. Based on the latest release routine from Riot, we expect it will go live at 11pm EST.
Follow along with our countdown here to make sure you don't miss a second of Valorant Episode 5 Act 1 should this change, and you can also catch up on all of the changes in the Valorant 5.0 patch notes.
Valorant Episode 5 Act 1 Release Date
Valorant patch 5.0 is set to release on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Once the patch goes live, players will be able to enjoy the new map, reach the new rank, and enjoy what the rest of the update has to offer.
Don't Miss: Discover Razer's Ultimate Gaming Laptops Now
Valorant Episode 5 Act 1 Patch Notes
Valorant's upcoming changes are set to be fairly significant as not only are there a new map and rank being added, but there also will be a handful of bugs that this update will address and fix.
Here's the full Valorant 5.0 patch below.
READ MORE: Valorant on Xbox Games Pass: Free Agents, Skins and More
Map Updates
Pearl
- NEW MAP: Pearl goes live!
- Pearl-only queue
- This queue is a standard, Unrated mode that will give players a chance to practice the new map before they see it in Competitive play.
- Pearl-only queue will be available for 2 weeks, then after that Pearl will enter Competitive.
Split
- We are temporarily removing Split from the map pool in Unrated and Competitive queues
- Split will exit the map pool in Competitive and Unrated queues, starting with Patch 5.0 (June 22)—no date set for its return
- Temporary 6-map pool until Pearl enters the Competitive queue on July 12 (Patch 5.01)
- Split will exit the map rotation at esports events after the LCQ’s in August
Available in Spike Rush, custom games, and other game modes
Competitive Updates
NEW RANK: Ascendant
- Added an additional rank above Diamond, below Immortal, called “Ascendant.”
- We believe our lower ranks have a few too many of you, especially Bronze and Silver. When we were looking at rank distribution, we realized that if we were to move some of you up and out of those lower ranks, it would overpopulate Platinum and Diamond. So by adding a new rank we can better distribute you across ranks, keep the prestige of high ranks, while helping better define the skill level of each rank.
- Moved the rank MMR targets that determine rank down, due to the addition of the new Ascendant rank, for all ranks below Ascendant. Moved the ranked target for Immortal 1/2/3 and Radiant up.
- These are the cut-offs that say “You should be X MMR to reach this rank”. MMR targets determine your RR gains and help push your rank to match your MMR.
- This means players will go up in rank, if they are below Ascendant.
To align with our expectations of what it means to be in the highest ranks of VALORANT, Immortal+ players will find it harder to climb back to their previous episode rank. This means Immortal will also have a smaller leaderboard population in all regions. - Due to the seasonal reset, you may not see a rank increase at the start of the Episode without putting in some work; but the reset will be “less harsh” compared to the last Episode reset. So because we are pushing the player base upwards to fill Ascendant, the reset will not hit you as hard.
- Next time we reset ranks it will probably push you down more than this Episode’s reset. Please remember that the “less harsh” reset is unique to this Episode because of the introduction of Ascendant.
- Grouping restrictions for Ascendant are 3 ranks above or below the Ascendant ranked player.
- This fits in with our Platinum+ rule set for grouping.
- The highest placement allowed has increased to Ascendant 1 (previously Diamond 1)
- Five stacking 25% RR penalty now starts at Immortal 1 (previously Diamond 3)
- Solo/Duo/5-stack restriction now starts at Immortal 1 (previously Diamond 3)
- Remember, Diamond 3 and above could previously only solo, duo, and 5-stack. This restriction now begins at Immortal 1.
- By adding another rank we were able to push the Five Stack penalty and Solo/Duo restrictions into Immortal. This makes it more straightforward, Immortal is where the leaderboard starts and because of this we try to hold players more accountable for their standings.
- Due to a naming clash with the new rank, we’ve renamed Sage’s tier 8 Agent Contract unlock—the new Sage title is “Dauntless”
- Renaming this title was not something we chose lightly, but after talking about the title we felt like it was a chance to give the title more meaning to Sage and her personality/theme.
Bugs
Maps
- Fixed a bug on Haven that was preventing players from using their spray on a wall in A Garden
Agents
- Fixed a bug where Jett could equip a weapon during Tailwind
- Fixed a bug where Agents revealed by Sova’s Recon Bolt or Fade’s Haunt would sometimes briefly appear in an incorrect location on the minimap
- Fixed a bug where the scope visual effect would sometimes disappear when aiming with Chamber’s Tour De Force
Game Systems
- Fixed a bug where using an Ultimate point orb or defusing the Spike at maximum range could cause channeling and progress bar animations to flicker
- Fixed a bug where the use channeling progression bar does not update if the player disconnects and reconnects during the match
- Fixed a bug where some weapon equips could play the wrong equip speed animation, which could visually misrepresent when you were able to fire. Some situations impacted by this bug were:
- Cypher exiting Spycam
- Capturing Ultimate point Orbs
- Canceling and completing Spike plant
- Fixed a bug where the use channeling progression bar does not update if the player disconnects and reconnects during the match
- Fixed a bug where some weapon equips could play the wrong equip speed animation, which could visually misrepresent when you were able to fire. Some situations impacted by this bug were:
- Cypher exiting Spycam
- Capturing Ultimate point Orbs
- Canceling and completing Spike plant
READ MORE: Valorant's Xenohunter Skin Causes Competitive Disadvantage
Valorant Episode 5 Act 1 Battle Pass
A new Valorant patch means a new Battlepass for players to enjoy and for this update, the goodies will be exciting.
Valorant Episode Act 1 Battlepass includes both free and paid highlights with a price of 1,000 VP to be able to unlock the paid highlights.
Here are the Free Highlights:
- Shimmer Classic
- Operation: Vacation Player Card
- That’s a Blowout Spray
- Perfect Pattern Gun Buddy
Here are the Paid Highlights:
- Task Force 809 Knife
- Task Force 809 Phantom
- Spitfire Operator
- Enter the Duelists Player Card
- Never Forget Leg Day Spray
- Cat Tactics Gun Buddy
Additional to the Battle Pass, Valorant players will be able to purchase new skins from the "Prelude to Chaos" skin line.
In homage to the classic sci-fi FPS Genre, players can individually buy the skins for the guns of their choosing or get the bundle at 8,700VP.
Here are all of the skins:
- Blade of Chaos Sword (melee)
- Prelude to Chaos Vandal
- Prelude to Chaos Operator
- Prelude to Chaos Shorty
- Prelude to Chaos Stinger
- Prelude to Chaos gun buddy
- Prelude to Chaos spray
READ MORE: Game Changers Valorant Championship Location Announced