Riot Games has released VALORANT Patch 12.00, kicking off Season 2026 with one of the biggest updates in the tactical shooter's history. The patch delivers a complete Breeze map rework, introduces the new Bandit sidearm, debuts a chaotic limited-time game mode, and implements major changes to competitive matchmaking, agent balance, and player behavior systems.
New Bandit Sidearm
A year after the Outlaw sniper rifle expanded VALORANT's weapon roster, Patch 12.00 introduces the Bandit. This precision sidearm sits between the Ghost and Sheriff at 600 credits, offering one-tap headshot potential against enemies wearing light armor.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Weapon Class | Sidearm |
| Price | 600 credits |
| Bullets per Magazine | 8 |
| Ammo Reserve | 24 |
| Reload Timing | 1.5 seconds |
| Equip Timing | 0.75 seconds |
| Wall Penetration | Medium |
Riot says the Bandit adds diversity to light buy rounds. Players can choose between investing in agent abilities or picking up a weapon that rewards precision aim.
Breeze Map Rework
After roughly eighteen months outside the competitive map pool, Breeze is back. The map replaces Sunset in both Competitive and Deathmatch queues, bringing what Riot calls the most extensive map rework the game has ever seen.
The dev team overhauled nearly every section to address longstanding community complaints. Breeze had earned a reputation as one of VALORANT's least popular maps thanks to its expansive size, open sightlines, and heavily attack-sided nature that limited viable agent picks.
Changes span A Main, B Main, A Site, B Site, mid, the wooden doors, and halls. Similar to a previously revoked change, halls has been closed entirely to reduce the map's overall scope. Both plant sites and mid received reworks aimed at reducing angle complexity and tightening up spaces.
Game Designer Diego Varona stated the team has "completely overhauled almost every section and every angle of the map." The updates allow for more Controller diversity while making angles easier to isolate. Those big open spaces that left players feeling stranded during fights have been closed in for more manageable engagements.
These changes should make gameplay less frustrating on both sides while enabling on-site defense strategies and improving rotation options for defenders.
Haven and Corrode Wall Penetration Changes
Heavy penetration weapons (particularly the Odin) have been gaining popularity, so Riot reinforced key positions across Haven and Corrode where teams could influence rounds through wallbangs while staying relatively safe.
On Corrode, certain wall positions were too effective at denying space through penetration alone. Riot adjusted wall materials so holding these spots requires more commitment from defenders. A key surface on A Site and the main wall on B Site now deny any form of wall penetration. The devs note that plenty of spammable walls remain elsewhere on the map.
On Haven, Mid Window now features a breakable element that prevents early-round kills through wall penetration. The area becomes less dangerous at round start while still allowing players to break through later. Additional fixes address unintended wall penetration between A Tower and A Site, plus between B Site and C Garage.
Bind also gets a fix for unintended wall penetration between B Window and B Garden.
All Random One Site Game Mode
Patch 12.00 introduces All Random One Site (AR1S), a fast-paced 5v5 limited-time mode that throws traditional VALORANT strategy out the window. The mode draws comparisons to League of Legends' popular ARAM format.
Every round assigns players a new random agent with no duplicates per team. All agents are available regardless of ownership. Each round activates only one bomb site, with barriers blocking unused areas. The active site randomizes each round, visible during the buy phase.
Players get full ability charges each round at no cost, with abilities recharging throughout. Ultimates start at 0% charge each round. Ultimate Orbs on the map grant 50% charge when captured, kills provide 50% charge, and killed players drop Ground Orbs containing their accumulated charge.
There's no economy system. Players select their loadout for free each round, with weapon offerings escalating through stages. Everyone eventually gains access to rifles and higher-tier weapons.
AR1S runs on Abyss, Ascent, Breeze, Corrode, Pearl, Icebox, Sunset, and Split. Average match time sits around 10 minutes. The mode replaces Snowball Fight in the rotation and goes live Wednesday, January 7th.
Agent Balance Changes
Patch 12.00 delivers balance changes to six agents, with buffs targeting underperforming characters and adjustments to recently reworked ones.
Breach
Breach has been struggling in high-level play. His buffs reward precision and coordination. Flashpoint projectile speed increased 20%, from 2000 to 2400. Fault Line width increased from 7.5 meters to 8 meters.
Brimstone
The controller gets quality-of-life improvements with updated tactical maps on both Sky Smoke and Orbital Strike. The new maps feature better readability for more precise utility placement.
Harbor
Harbor hasn't made the impact Riot intended despite his recent rework. The devs are extending the advantage windows when enemies get hit by his aggressive abilities. Storm Surge no longer requires line of sight to nearsight and slow players. Windup decreased from 0.8 to 0.6 seconds. Slow duration jumps from 0.6 to 2 seconds. Reckoning slow duration increased from 0.6 to 2 seconds.
Sage
Healing Orb targeting now works better with agent models. Players can heal targeted allies even if the mid and lower sections of their models are blocked by geometry. Fewer frustrating moments where healing fails due to minor obstructions.
Tejo
Tejo's adjustments add power to abilities supporting Guided Salvos while reducing some utility duration. Special Delivery now deals damage on explosion (35 max at center, 20 minimum). Concuss duration drops from 4 to 2.5 seconds. Stealth Drone changed from Snapshot reveal to full Revealed, making tagged enemies visible longer. Pulse radius decreased from 30 to 16 meters.
Vyse
After underperforming following sentinel nerfs in Patch 11.08, Vyse's ultimate gets area increases. Steel Garden radius increased from 26 to 28 meters. Width expanded from 7.5 to 8 meters.
Competitive System Changes
Riot has overhauled the hidden MMR calculation system to improve match quality and deliver more consistent experiences. The changes should more accurately reflect individual skill. Most players' ranks should stay the same, though some may see shifts.
Starting in Patch 12.01, Riot will enforce MFA for specific player groups: accounts detected for sharing in EU and all Ascendant+ players. These accounts must enable Riot Mobile MFA to access Competitive queue. Other game modes remain unaffected. Players can set up MFA through Riot's support portal.
Player Behavior System Overhaul
Riot introduces Behavior Standing, a new system providing transparency about penalty status. An indicator appears on the Social Panel if players have an active penalty or are at immediate risk of one. Expanding the indicator shows additional details about active and at-risk penalties.
The Community Pact replaces the Community Code, built on three core principles: Play to Win, Play Fair, and Play with Respect. Players must commit to the Community Pact when logging in after this patch. Unlike the old system, players should expect to recommit annually.
Chat and Inappropriate Name penalty systems have been adjusted. The systems will issue firmer penalties sooner for frequent or severe Voice and Text Chat offenses. Account Bans for Inappropriate Riot IDs now lock players out of changing their ID until the ban expires. Report Player categories and descriptions have been updated to align with the three core principles.
Replays for Custom Games
After years of community requests, replay functionality expands to more modes. Players can now record Custom Swiftplay and Standard matches, with party leaders opting in through the Custom lobby settings. Teams can review gameplay, analyze strategies, and identify areas for improvement.
PC User Interface Refresh
PC players get a refreshed UI across multiple areas of the client. The Home Screen has been revamped to use the top navigation from other screens, creating a more consistent experience. The Matchmade Lobby features a new "Queue Select" screen with new art and queue descriptions. The selected queue displays more prominently on the left side.
The Custom Lobby features an updated layout with Mode and Map select on the left, using selection screens with new art and descriptions. The Social Panel has been completely revamped with quality-of-life improvements, including a dedicated tab for managing friend requests.
Premier Stage V26A1
Premier Stage V26A1 begins January 14, bringing a new competitive season for organized teams. Teams in the Invite Division during Stage V25A6 that didn't finish in the top 16 have been demoted and will see their new Provisional Division in the Premier hub.
Demoted teams are seeded into their original promotion zone. Team Owners can change their team's zone in Team Settings before playing a match. If automatic placement isn't possible, Team Owners will be prompted to select one.
Bug Fixes
Patch 12.00 addresses numerous bugs affecting agents, maps, and competitive features. General agent fixes include ability cooldown bars disappearing for observers when switching between Agents and throw animation bugs when aiming straight down affecting multiple agents including Clove, Cypher, Deadlock, Fade, Gekko, Iso, Jett, KAY/O, Phoenix, Reyna, and Viper.
Specific agent fixes address Astra's Nebula from Dissipate missing minimap icon, Breach's Rolling Thunder launching people at inconsistent heights based on elevation, Clove's health pool showing 151 instead of 150 when overhealed with Pick Me Up, Cypher's Trapwire sound playing again as barriers drop, Deadlock's Annihilation phasing through Breeze and leaving enemies stuck, Gekko's Wingman continuing to chase players after teleporting, Sova's lightning VFX disappearing after switching to melee with fully charged Recon Dart or Shock Dart, Veto's Chokehold having inconsistent jump throw trajectory, and Yoru getting stuck in an animation loop when using Dimensional Drift on an ascender.
PC-specific fixes address Deadlock's Barrier Mesh walls being invisible during packet loss and KAY/O making no sound when dying while downed in NULL/cmd. Console-specific fixes ensure queue timer displays correctly when disconnecting and reconnecting, queue can be canceled after reconnecting, and players can start queue after party leader leaves or party disbands.
VCT 2026 Esports Implications
VCT 2026 kicks off later this month, and many Patch 12.00 changes will likely be active during VCT Kickoff events. The VCT EMEA Kickoff 2026 runs a triple elimination bracket format.
The Breeze rework may make the map less attack-sided, but similar agent compositions to the map's previous competitive run are expected. Viper remains the likely go-to controller, with Yoru serving as a popular solo or duo duelist option. Recent sentinel nerfs may push VCT teams toward no-sentinel compositions on Breeze. Harbor could also see more play in pro matches following his buffs, given his previous use as a Viper alternative on the map.
Breach's flashes have long been considered the easiest to dodge. Whether the latest buffs offset accumulated nerfs from previous patches remains uncertain, especially given the unpopular position of flash-initiators compared to agents like Yoru.
The Vyse ultimate buffs are unlikely to overcome the heavy nerfs to her flash and wall from previous patches. Tejo changes are harder to read without practical testing. After his rework last year, the previously overpowered agent had settled into a fairly balanced state with specific map picks including Bind. The drone nerf targets what was considered his biggest strength post-rework, potentially making him an even more niche selection throughout VCT 2026.
Riot confirmed more live events for VALORANT esports in 2026. VCT EMEA continues in Berlin, with a destination event in Madrid during Stage 2. Regional Stage 2 events will take place in Chengdu (China), Busan (Korea), and São Paulo (Brazil). Stage 2 concludes with Valorant Masters London, the first VCT event ever held in the UK.
Ayakashi Cosmetic Collection
Alongside gameplay updates, Riot debuts the Ayakashi Collection. The set draws from Japanese mythology, offering a dark, modern twist on ancient folklore. Each weapon burns with cursed flame, representing restless spirits bound within. The Kitsune mask motif marks the seal between worlds.
The collection introduces dual short katanas as a melee weapon for the first time in VALORANT. Named Kogitsune, these weapons are described as forged in the underworld and striking in deadly harmony.
The Ayakashi Collection includes the Phantom, Ghost, and Kogitsune (dual short katana melee).
Looking Ahead
Season 2026 officially begins with Patch 12.00, bringing major changes to VALORANT's competitive landscape, agent meta, and player experience. The Breeze rework, new Bandit sidearm, AR1S game mode, and system updates make this one of the most significant patches in the game's history.
Players can jump into the updated Breeze with reduced rank rating penalties through the first two weeks, experiment with the Bandit's eco-round potential, and dive into All Random One Site when it goes live January 7th.
