win.gg
Win.gg Valorant Valorant to get massive smoke changes in patch 7.08

Valorant to get massive smoke changes in patch 7.08

Fariha Bhatti
Fariha Bhatti Published 14/10/2023

Valorant leakers have discovered significant smoke changes, and the community isn’t sure how to feel about the reported tweaks.

Unlike most other shooter games, utility is equally important as gunplay in Valorant. Each agent brings a unique power to the table, adding spice to pure gunplay. One class is entirely dedicated to blocking sight, called controllers. Now, Riot is changing how smokes act in Valorant, and a chunk of the player base is unhappy.

According to credible leakers, patch 7.08 will add a visual and audio cue to a defusing smoke. This change has ruffled many features, as players claim Riot is lowering the skill ceiling. Here’s what the changes mean. 

https://twitter.com/ValorLeaks/status/1712970465294103018

Valorant smoke changes have split the community

Astra Valorant

After patch 7.08, smokes will create an audible noise before they disappear. A visual animation will also get triggered 1.5 seconds before they are about to fade. These tweaks are expected to alert the players to get under cover to avoid being exposed to enemies. 

Oftentimes, players spam through the smokes with no idea about the utility’s span, leading to risky plays. The upcoming changes will allow players to take cover and move aside. 1.5 seconds before right as dissipating smoke exhibits a visual and audio cue. 

While this is a helpful feature, Valorant players are not happy. Riot recently increased the game’s difficulty level by making ultimates difficult to activate and other utilities more valuable. But players think upcoming changes would once again lower Valorant’s skill ceiling. The risk of anticipating an enemy on the other side of the smoke puts your reaction time and aiming skills to the test, which makes the game fun.

However, the other half of the Valorant community is with Riot on this one. According to the players, smokes shouldn’t be a part of Valorant’s skill ceiling to begin with, as it’s a shooter game where aim shines. In any case, the changes remain controversial so far. 

Opera GX Download

Fariha Bhatti Fariha Bhatti
About Fariha Bhatti

Fariha Bhatti is a long-time gaming writer who loves competitive FPS games and slots with particularly fun themes. She got her start playing classic games developed by SNK, from legendary fighting game series The King of Fighters to challenging platform franchise Metal Slug. She now spends most of her time playing Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 while working her way through new slot releases to find her next favorite. Fariha has been published at PCGamesN, TalkEsport and ONE Esports.

View full profile
Read Also
Riot Games announces Kick partnership for LoL, Valorant, and TFT esports broadcasts Kick
Riot Games announces Kick partnership for LoL, Valorant, and TFT esports broadcasts Khizar Mundia League of Legends and Valorant developer and publisher Riot Games has announced a massive partnership with live streaming platform Kick. This partnership will bring official broadcasts and co-streaming support to more viewers. Kick isn’t new to the esports scene, and the platform has been pushing for official recognition for some time. The live streaming platform has hosted and supported many esports community broadcasts, notably for Counter-Strike and Valorant. Kick has ...
Paper Rex vs Leviatan VCT Masters London Grand Final: betting predictions and picks Valorant
Paper Rex vs Leviatan VCT Masters London Grand Final: betting predictions and picks Owen Harsono We’re down to the final two at VCT Master London 2026, with Paper Rex and Leviatan competing for the international title. Will Paper Rex win their second international event, or will the young squad of Leviatan pull off the upset? Here are our VCT Masters London Paper Rex vs Leviatan predictions. Tournament: VCT Masters London 2026 Stage: Grand Final Game: Valorant Format: Best-of-five Betting tip: Paper Rex have already beaten ...
Riot Games reveal major VCT 2027 changes: here’s how it works Valorant
Riot Games reveal major VCT 2027 changes: here’s how it works Owen Harsono After a long wait, Riot is finally moving away from the current closed league structure in VCT, and is opening the floodgates for anyone to compete. The 2027 VCT Season introduces a new ecosystem where teams can climb from open qualifiers all the way to champions. Here’s what you need to know about the VCT 2027 structure. In the current VCT season, we have long, drawn-out regional leagues where teams ...
History in the making at VCT Masters London as four team carry the expectations of all major regions Esports Betting
History in the making at VCT Masters London as four team carry the expectations of all major regions Cecilia Ciocchetti By the time dawn comes on VALORANT Masters London’s final weekend at the Copper Box Arena, every region will still have a reason to believe the trophy will be theirs. Twelve teams arrived in London carrying the hopes of the APAC, China, EMEA, and the Americas. Two weeks later, Paper Rex, Edward Gaming, Team Vitality, and Leviatán remain standing, each carrying a different story into the final stretch of the ...
Vitality vs Leviatan betting predictions and best picks: VCT Masters London Valorant
Vitality vs Leviatan betting predictions and best picks: VCT Masters London Owen Harsono We have two very exciting teams in the VCT Masters London lower bracket, as Team Vitality will take on Leviatan in a do-or-die match. The loser exits the tournament in fourth, while the winner guarantees a top three finish. Here are our VCT Masters London Vitality vs Leviatan predictions. Tournament: VCT Masters London 2026 Stage: Playoffs – Lower Bracket Game: Valorant Format: Best-of-Three Betting tip: Team Vitality have more experienced ...
G2 out of VCT Masters London with zero wins despite early celebrations Valorant
G2 out of VCT Masters London with zero wins despite early celebrations Owen Harsono G2 Esports, one of the highest-ranked teams coming into VCT Masters London 2026, have been eliminated from the playoffs without a single series win. The team also supposedly had an easy path to the top three but completely fumbled the bag. It's time some uncomfortable conversations were had about this team After dominating VCT Americas Stage 1, G2 booked their spot at VCT Masters London as the region’s number one ...
VCT Masters London Final Swiss Stage Predictions: Who Makes the Playoffs? Valorant
VCT Masters London Final Swiss Stage Predictions: Who Makes the Playoffs? Owen Harsono There are only two playoff spots remaining at VCT Masters London, and the final day of the Swiss Stage will decide which teams claim them. Every match today is a must-win, with elimination on the line for all four teams involved. Here are our VCT Masters London Swiss Stage predictions for the final day. NRG will take on FUT Esports in a do-or-die match. We have a very experienced team ...