Valorant Patch Notes 12.00 — Big Changes for Season 2026!

January 7, 2026 - Riot Games just dropped the highly anticipated Patch 12.00 update for Valorant, marking the kickoff of Season 2026 with one of the most substantial updates in recent memory. Whether you're climbing the ranks or jumping in with friends, this update brings exciting changes across gameplay, maps, systems, and quality-of-life features.

Replays Are Here!

You asked for it - and Riot delivered!
Replays are now available for Custom matches (both Swiftplay and Standard). Party leaders can enable replay recording before the match starts, letting you relive epic plays or dissect rounds with your squad.

Improved Matchmaking & Competitive Updates

Match quality gets a boost thanks to updates in the hidden MMR system, which aims to give players more consistent, balanced matchups. Plus, Riot is enhancing account security in Europe: multi-factor authentication (MFA) will soon be required for Competitive queue access for shared accounts and high-ranked players.

Agent Adjustments

Riot isn't slowing down when it comes to balancing the roster:

• Breach gets stronger flashes and a wider Fault Line to reward coordinated pushes.
• Brimstone's tactical map clarity is improved for better vision control.
• Harbor's abilities are tuned to enhance impact in combat.
• Sage now heals more reliably, especially when allies are partially obscured behind geometry.
• Tejo receives tweaks to make his utility more impactful.
• Vyse gets slight buffs to improve control and versatility.

These changes reflect Riot's commitment to keeping the meta dynamic and each agent feeling meaningful.

Map Updates - Breeze Rework & Wall Pen Fixes

Arguably the biggest map changes come to:

Breeze - Completely reworked! Angle complexities and rotations have been refined, making the map feel fresh for both attackers and defenders. To help players adapt, Rank Rating (RR) losses on Breeze are reduced by 50% for the first two weeks in Competitive.

Haven & Corrode - Targeted wall penetration updates ensure common abuse spots are dialed back so strategy and gunplay matter more than exploiting geometry.

New Mode: All Random, One Site

Shake up your routine with this chaotic new limited-time mode:

• Random agent every round (no duplicates per team)
• One site active each round
• Free loadouts and ability recharges
• Ultimate Orbs scattered around for high-impact plays

It's fast, unpredictable, and perfect for friends looking for a fresh twist on Valorant action.

New Sidearm - The Bandit

Meet the Bandit: a precision sidearm designed for clutch plays and economical loadouts. It sits between Ghost and Sheriff in cost and performance, adding more tactical choice to your pistol rounds.

UI and Quality-of-Life Improvements

Patch 12.00 also brings refreshed UI to the home screen, lobby, and social panel - including better friend management and a more intuitive layout overall. Expect smoother interactions and a cleaner experience when jumping into games.

Bug Fixes & Polished Gameplay

As always, this update includes numerous bug fixes, from ability animation issues to map interaction fixes that ensure Valorant feels polished and competitive.