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Valorant Patch 7.04 Highlights: Did the nerfs really kill Jett?
Last week Riot released the patch notes for one of the biggest shakeups to Valorant. With Valorant Patch 7.04, Riot introduces major agent balancing updates. The update includes the introduction of Sunset, Breeze’s comeback and a bone-chilling “murder” of Valorant’s beloved Jett. Obviously, Sunset was supposed to be the highlight, with Breeze replacing Pearl and Fracture. But Jett getting absolutely “trashed” takes the cake here. In the recent updates, Jett was nerfed, to what some may called to the ground. Let’s go over these changes one at a time.
Valorant map pool update - Breeze, Sunset replaces Pearl and Fracture:
One of the biggest changes to the game has to be the new map pool. With the introduction of LA-based Sunset we saw another map pool change to Valorant. Along with Sunset, Breeze makes a comeback to the map pool. Pearl, a map which had the community torn, has been benched.
There were professionals and casuals who loved Pearl but there were those who did not like the map. Pearl was one of the most played maps in recent Valorant Champions 2023. Similarly Fracture, one of the most interesting maps of Valorant will be leaving too. While Fracture definitely has some amazing set plays in professional Valorant, it isn’t much appreciated casually.
Replacing them is the coming back of a reworked Breeze. With the rework, Breeze will be a completely new map. With the new changes to lane, Breeze now has a lot of emphasis on Mid.
Along with Sunset, Riot’s plan for introducing mid control is pretty clear. With Fracture and Pearl gone, two maps with little emphasis on mid, the new map pool will be a bit different.
The Agent Balance Updates:
Riot announced a plethora of balancing updates to multiple agents. The maximum number of ult points required were increased from 8 to 9. The agents with increased ult points are Breach, Brimstone, Killjoy, Skye, Viper and Jett. These updates are to balance some agent’s overpowering parts. Let’s take a look at some major agent changes.
Breach:
Aftershock is changed so it ticks twice but the total damage output is still 160. Additionally, rolling thunder has an increased cost, so it is difficult to use it often.
Gekko:
The mosh pit does 10 damage per second, so you can still tank it but not without consequences. The HP of Wingman is reduced to 80. Additionally, there are visual updates to the ultimate.
Omen:
The paranoia casting is changed so that movement velocity is completely removed.
Skye:
The Trailblazer and the seekers receive update reduction. Additionally, the duration for the cast duration for Guiding light receives a nerf. Skye flashes will travel shorter.
Astra:
Gravity well’s total duration is reduced and the total start-up time is increased. Nova pulse is faster now. The Cosmic divide completely blocks sound.
Jett:
Jett has to be the biggest “target” of these balancing updates. Tailwind has a shorter window after activating it. Additionally, Riot increased the time between activating the “dash”. There is a reduction to the total time of Cloudburst. Jett’s can only Updraft once. Also the bladestorm is costly now.
How does the changes affect Valorant?
For starters, Jett is nerfed beyond expectations. Jett’s movements with updraft and tailwind, make Jett really easy escapist. Jett players get away with a lot of mistakes and without getting punished as much. The balancing updates were less about nerfing Jett and more about making it more in line with other agents. The reasoning behind the nerf is
“Our goal with these changes is further sharpening Jett as the aggressive, high precision Duelist by increasing the intentionality of her ability usage and power windows. We want to maintain her unique ability to break through chokes and dash onto site, while reducing her defensive power-holding angles and her ability to reactively undo tactical mistakes with her array of quickly cast abilities.”
The reasoning is fair, but the nerfs seem a bit unfair. Similar to the Chamber nerfs, Jett won’t be what she was. While the tailwind updates somewhat make sense. But the cloudburst nerf is a bit harsh and maybe Updraft didn’t need a nerf. Jett can still enter sites and take duel, but there will be more consequences to her actions. Compared to her previous state, Jett cannot getaway from trouble. The entry part and proactive defense still exists, but the Jett players will need to put in a lot more intention behind using her ability. Similarly, multiple ult cost upgrades are some of the stronger ults can’t be used often. But overall, other agents won't change much.
Final notes:
With Jett “out of the picture”, teams might try experimenting with other duelists. With the ult cost increases, there'd be more emphasis on farming to orbs, especially with compositions killjoy, breach and viper. So there might be increased fighting around the orbs. With Raze already in the meta, and a new Duelist on the way, Jett might be on the way to get benched off most compositions. You can read the full patch notes here.
With the next official Riot tournament a while away, we’d see how Valorant shapes up. While for now, the number of Jetts in your ranked games would be much less. But definitely an increase in the number of Reyna’s. While most nerfs aren’t as harsh, some Jett nerfs could've been spared. These changes definitely will change the landscape of Valorant. A fresh look to the game.