VALORANT Patch 13.06: Gauntlet Mode & Warden Guide

Summary: A massive update has finally arrived. The new Home and Lobby experience, Agent Mastery system, Gauntlet: Glitch, Range access during matchmaking queue, Warden, Competitive updates, and more are all implemented today!

Hello everyone.

This is Kenny. I'm here to explain what might be the biggest patch of this year, or perhaps even in recent years. It could possibly be the largest in history?

Anyway, please enjoy this long patch note that thoroughly explains all the new elements.

I look forward to seeing you in the Winner's Circle of Gauntlet: Glitch.

GL HF GG!

All Platforms

General Updates

The boosting detection system introduced recently is proving effective against smurfs (newbie hunters) and boosters. We have banned an average of 1,600 accounts per day so far. Since July 20th, over 90,000 accounts have been targeted! And this is just the beginning.
Our excellent anti-cheat team has published an article reviewing the results of the new boosting countermeasures via Vanguard. In summary, the boosting detection feature is working effectively against smurfs, and this is only the start! Please check out the graph below and read the full details here.

Client Updates

New Home/Lobby

We have integrated the Home and Lobby into a single hub. This makes it easier to understand what is happening in VALORANT and allows you to quickly join your next match. Selecting modes, forming teams, and queuing for matches is now smoother than ever.
On the party-centric screen, you can view content such as events, missions, currently playable maps, and rankings. We also added new tiles to the Home to make limited-time content like new modes and Pick'em easier to find.
An update to the mode selection screen is planned for Patch 13.08, so stay tuned.

Global Navigation

We revamped the global navigation to make moving between major hubs in-game and understanding your current location easier. This layout expands navigation space and reduces visual clutter.
The behavior of the selected page, secondary navigation, and the "Back" button has also been improved to function more consistently across the game.

New Item Notifications

If you acquired a lot of new content in recent matches but haven't checked them yet, a notification will appear in your Collection indicating new arrivals.
Don't worry. The notification disappears once you view the Collection or exit the game, and it won't reappear the next time you play.

Competitive Updates

This patch implements multiple new features to improve the competitive experience, marking a significant evolution for VALORANT!

Range Access During Queue: You can now enter the Shooting Range while waiting for a match! Warm up your aim while waiting for your next game. There are a few notes:

After starting matchmaking, you can enter the Range from the lobby. Alternatively, you can start matchmaking from the Range.
If the expected matchmaking wait time is short, the Range may not be immediately available. If the wait time becomes longer than anticipated, a prompt will show that the Range is available again.
Premier, Deathmatch, and other modes without agent selection do not support queuing from the Range.

Performance Score: Performance Score replaces Average Combat Score (ACS).

Performance Score is a value from 0-500 designed to evaluate your contribution to the match more comprehensively, beyond just damage and kills.
Curious about your score? Check the details on the post-match screen to see which factors influenced your Performance Score, areas for improvement, and how close you were to "Masterful" performance.
Performance Score is available in Competitive, Unrated, Swiftplay, and Premier.
MVP and scoreboard rankings in these modes are now determined by Performance Score.
We plan to continue updating Performance Score, monitoring feedback and making improvements.

Accolades: Have you ever wondered how many times you've earned MVP this Act, or what your highest kill count in Competitive was? That's where Accolades come in.

Accolades celebrate standout performance in various stats, including contributions measured by Performance Score.
Each Accolade records your personal best for the current Act and all-time. Accolade tracking begins with this patch and will reflect future gameplay.
Earned Accolades can be viewed at the end of a match, such as on the MVP screen. You can see more details about all earned Accolades in the "Competitive Hub."
Accolades can only be earned in Competitive and Premier modes.
After the introduction of Accolades, all players start from the same state. Past match data is not counted.

Rank Legacy: The number of times you've reached each rank throughout your Competitive career is now displayed like a trophy case in VALORANT!

Open the "Competitive Hub" from "Career" to check your current rank and ranks achieved previously.
The counter increases every time you earn a rank, and it also displays your highest rank achieved!
Each rank can increase the Rank Legacy counter once per three Acts (Acts I–III and IV–VI).
The counter does not increase when you demote.
"Career" Page Update: The design of the "Career" page has been refreshed, with several new pages added to support these features.
Career: View your most used agents, match history, and ranks all on one customizable page.
Competitive Hub: Accessible from "Career," this shows an overview of the current Competitive Act, dedicated pages for Accolades and Rank Legacy, and some upcoming content.
"Accolades" Page: View all your Accolades here. Click here for details and how to earn them.
"Rank Legacy" Page: Reflect on your Competitive journey and the ranks you've achieved.
Friends can still view your "Career" and "Competitive Hub Overview" as before.
The dedicated "Competitive Hub" pages are visible only to you.

Look forward to more content in future patches, including Map Ratings (13.08), Competitive Flex (14.00), and Radiant updates (14.00)!

Game System Updates

Post-Match Screen

We refreshed the match result screen to make the match overview and next actions clearer. Information such as stats, rewards, and match details is now consolidated in one place, with particularly important moments highlighted.
Highlights include earning MVP or ranking up, as well as progress in new systems like "Agent Mastery," "Accolades," and "Performance Score."
The post-match screen progresses automatically, but you can also control it. You can proceed at your own pace, check details, jump straight into the next queue, or return to the lobby when ready.

Mode Updates

New Limited-Time Mode // Gauntlet: Glitch

The most ambitious new mode ever, "Gauntlet: Glitch," arrives. Engage in 2v2 battles against seven other duos. Choose abilities from various agents and upgrade them as the match progresses. A new arena appears, pushing the limits of familiar abilities. If Yoru's decoy starts shooting at you, that's intended.

One Gauntlet for 8 Duos.

8 teams of 2 players, totaling 16 participants. Each round, you face off in a 2v2 battle against another team. Whether representing the Purple Corgis or the Red Elephants, bring pride to your team!
Losing a round decreases your team's health (sounds familiar?). At 0, you're out. Once eliminated, you can leave and queue for the next match without waiting for other teams' matches to finish.
As stages progress, weapons change, and teams lose more health upon losing a round. Secure your footing in early rounds and prepare for the battles ahead.
Start matchmaking solo or with friends to enjoy action-packed matches in a short time.

Hybrid Robot Agents

KAY/O?

Ability Selection

Between rounds, choose randomly presented abilities to combine various agent abilities and build your unique loadout.
You can add new abilities or allocate points to upgrade existing ones from Level 1 to Level 3.
Maximize mobility, stock up on defensive bots and traps, or try new tactics based on your choices.
Use rerolls or craft in different slots to aim for desired combinations. Don't forget to scout the lobby to see what builds opponents are using!

Upgraded Abilities Malfunction!?

When upgrading an ability to Level 2, a rare "Glitch" may occur, leading to... extraordinary results. We can't reveal everything yet, but here's a preview:
Raze's Boom Bot can detonate whenever you want.
Gekko's Wingman becomes incredibly huge. Kids grow up fast, right?

New Arena

Battle in 2v2 across four arenas remixed from familiar VALORANT maps.
Spaces are connected by glitch seams. Even recognizable scenery requires different positioning than before.

See You in the Winner's Circle

Upon winning a match, enjoy the view. Move to the Winner's Circle overlooking the four arenas, watch remaining matches, shoot targets, or jump around as if you won effortlessly.

These are just some of the elements awaiting you in "Gauntlet: Glitch." Discover the rest yourself!

Limited-Time Mode Ends

Retake has ended. Thank you for playing!

Player Behavior Updates

Riot Voice Evaluation (RVE) is expanding to Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean.

We updated the in-game voice chat technology, RVE, to improve detection accuracy for Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean.
If you encounter malicious behavior in-game, please report it under the "Malicious Communication in Voice Chat" category. Your reports help identify and address toxic behavior and improve the system.
For more details, check the "Play with Respect" article.

Progression Updates

Agent Mastery

Agent Mastery offers a new way to show your dedication to agents. Playing Clove increases Clove's progress. Playing Sova increases Sova's progress. Each agent has its own Act Level, Lifetime Level, Reward Track, and Agent ID.
All players start with zero progress for each agent's Act Level and Lifetime Level.

Agent Mastery is a new system that evolves with you, per Act and per agent. We have high hopes for this system. To ensure everyone starts on equal footing and embarks on a new journey together, we want a fresh start.
Progression
There are two types of progression, both advancing via Mastery Points (MP). Act Level indicates progress with a specific agent in the current Act and resets with each new Act. Lifetime Level permanently records agent progress across multiple Acts.
Earn MP to advance Act Levels. Increasing Act Level also raises Lifetime Level. Thus, Act Level 1 = Lifetime Level 1. All players begin earning Mastery Points from the same starting point. Previous agent playtime and progress are not carried over.
Earning Mastery Points
Play matches in eligible game modes to earn MP for that agent.
Winning or performing exceptionally well grants bonus MP.
Act Levels and Portrait Upgrades
Each agent has 10 main Act Levels per Act.
Reaching Levels 4, 7, and 10 unlocks Portrait Accents. These upgrade the appearance of agent portraits, showing your contribution to that agent in current and past Acts.
Upon reaching Act Level 10, you can continue increasing agent progress through Overleveling during the Act.
Lifetime Levels, Rewards, and Agent IDs
Agent Lifetime Levels permanently record progress across multiple Acts, reflecting long-term commitment rather than just current champion play.
To earn rewards in each agent's Reward Track, you must increase Lifetime Progress. Use Kingdom Credits to unlock desired rewards. The track includes rewards from the previous Agent Gear system plus many new ones. Previously unlocked Agent Gear rewards are retained.
Agent IDs are added as a new way to showcase your passion for favorite agents.
Unlock components in each agent's Reward Track, customize, and equip them.

Weapon Updates

Warden, the latest automatic rifle joining Vandal and Phantom in the 2,900 credit tier, arrives. Designed as a new tactical option, Warden serves as a new long-range choice.

Specs

Weapon Type: Rifle
Price: 2,900 Credits
Ammo Type: Bullets
Attachment: Scope
Magnification: 2x
Magazine Size: 18 Rounds
Damage per Shot: 50 (regardless of distance) Headshot Damage: 200 Leg Damage: 42
Fire Rate: 6.5
Reserve Ammo: 36
Reload Time: 2.5 seconds
Aim Down Sight Time:
Standard: 1.0 second
Fast: 0.6 second
Instant: 0.2 second
Wall Penetration: Medium

Bug Fixes

Agents

Fixed a bug where voiceovers would cut off if an agent activated another ability during their Ultimate voiceover.
Fixed a bug where agents with controllable abilities (Tejo, Sova, Gekko, Cypher, Sky) would not receive flash effects if they ended their controllable ability at the exact moment an enemy triggered a flash.
Fixed a bug where Cypher's Trapwire appeared active if he was killed or suppressed simultaneously with restarting the trap.

Competitive

The threshold displayed for the "Masterful" Accolade is incorrect. This will be fixed in the next patch. This is a display issue and does not affect earning "Accolades."

Customization Items

Fixed a known bug where jiggle peeking was possible while equipped with Flex.
This bug was fixed in Patch 13.02 but was omitted from the patch notes. Apologies for the inconvenience!