What to expect from VALORANT Patch 8.11

What to expect from VALORANT Patch 8.11

Ganesh Jadhav

11 May, 2024, 15:08

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Last updated: 9 Apr, 2025, 23:48

Later today, VALORANT Patch 8.11 goes live, introducing an all-new map, map pool changes, multiple agent changes, a new bundle and more.

Let’s overview some of these exciting new changes coming to the game.

Abyss: the New Map

One of the biggest changes coming to VALORANT with Patch 8.11 is the new map. The tenth map to be added to the game; Abyss is a completely new take on the classic three lane maps.

The map features a lot of verticality, and is the first map you can fall off of. With the new gimmicks, the map is also very basic, with the both sites having the ability to be anchored by a single defender.

Additionally, the map layout, orb position and the barriers encourages a very action heavy, control-centric, confrontational approach where both sides have to stay on their toes to come out on top.

There will be a ‘Abyss’ map queue for the first two week before the map enters the matchmaking queue.

We will do a quick guide on how to play the map and the agents one should play when the map officially releases.

Map pool changes

As the tradition dictates, a new map comes with map pool changes. With 8.11, Haven will return to the map pool along with the new map.

The two incoming maps will replace Breeze and Split in the competitive map pool. Additionally, the map pool restrictions on other modes (except Competitive and Premier)  will be removed.

Players can now enjoy Unrated, Deathmatch, Spike Rush and Swift Play modes on all 11 maps.

Agent Changes

With the upcoming patch, Neon, Iso, Reyna, Raze and Clove will undergo several updates focused on balancing them. These changes are part of a bigger string of updates coming to VALORANT.

The changes are an attempt to balance out the agent pick rates all-around, ensuring one agent isn’t more viable than other.

We have covered the agent changes in detail earlier. You can read about them here.

New VALORANT Bundle - Aemondir

With Patch 8.11, the new bundle Aemondir will be released. The cost of bundle is expected to be 8700 VP and it features the following weapon skins:

  • Vandal
  • Sheriff
  • Bulldog
  • Bucky
  • Melee

All the weapon skins will be available in four variants and have two upgradeable levels. The skins will be released along with Patch 8.11.

When will the VALORANT patch 8.11 release?

The VALORANT patch will be playable today at 10:00 AM PT. Please refer to local patch times for the updates.

Stay tuned on Strafe for more VALORANT. 

Featured Image Credits: Riot Games

Read More: VALORANT Console Limited Beta releases next week

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