Sage nerfed, new game mode launched in Valorant patch 1.01

Valorant update 1.01 has arrived, and though the changelist is small it’s still an important one.

The most exciting change is the launch of new game mode Spike Rush. Alongside this, new orb types have been added to play. 

New Valorant game mode Spike rush arrives with new orbs

Three new orbs have been added for the Spike Rush game mode. 

Health Orbs grant instant, teamwide health regeneration. The effect lasts for 20 seconds and gives 12 HP per second. 

A Deception Orb applies “Paranoia” to enemies three seconds after being captured. The status effect lasts 10 seconds, reducing sight range, shifting the field of vision, removing the minimap, and playing fake footstep and gunfire sound effects. 

The Golden Gun Orb gives the player who captures the Orb a gun of the same name. It is a one-shot, one-kill gun that should be familiar to fans of classic FPS Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64. The Golden Gun is perfectly accurate, improves the speed of the player, and replenishes its ammo for each kill the player gets with it. The gun only has 3 rounds, with one in the chamber at a time. 

Players will now see a pre-round HUD element that shows the weapon and potential orb types for the current round, and players will also receive one ultimate point for collecting an orb. 

Sage hit with nerf in Valorant patch 1.01

Sage is a bit weaker after Valorant patch 1.01, with her Barrier Orb’s cast range being cut in half. 

Developers have mentioned that her cast range was allowing her more aggressive control of neutral territory than they had intended. Sage is meant to defend territory she already controls, and the reduction in cast range reduces her effectiveness when trying to control territory. This should bring her utility more in line with other agents, rather than having her stand as the most roundly excellent in the game.

Also included are some performance updates, including HUD updates for Viper, FPS improvements, quality of life changes, and bug fixes. 

The full patch notes can be found on the official Valorant website.