Valorant: Patch 5 Introduces New Map and New Rank

Riot Games is set to launch Episode 5 (Act I) of Valorant later this week. The developer released the changelog for Patch 5 early though, and there are some pretty big changes that you can expect this coming Wednesday. Read further to learn more.

New Map

Pearl is the latest map coming to Valorant. Although it is situated underwater, you don’t have to swim or anything when you’re there. According to Riot, there are no unique mechanics on this map. This is a typical map that has two bomb sites on opposite sides and has three lanes that you can go into.

Pearl will be first available in Unrated mode so that players have a chance to try the new map out. It will enter the competitive map pool two weeks after launch or on July 12.

With the release of Pearl, Valorant will have eight maps in total. According to Joe “Pearl Hogbash” Lansford, design lead on the maps team, they’ve decided to keep the game’s maps in rotation to just seven for both Competitive and Unrated because they feel that it is the sweet spot in terms of variety and mastery.

If that is the case, then which map is going to leave the pool then? Well, that map is none other than Split. Langsford said that they’ve looked at a bunch of different factors to arrive at this decision, such as player sentiment, time since release, and how Pearl fits in, among other things.

For fans who love Split, there’s nothing to worry about. It will only leave the Competitive map pool, but it is still available in Spike Rush, Custom, and other game modes.

New Rank

There will also be a new rank in Patch 5 called Ascendant, slotted in between Diamond and Immortal. The main reason why Riot is adding a new rank in Episode 5 is to help with distribution.

You see, the dev team found that those who rank up from Bronze and Silver would overpopulate Platinum and Diamond. Adding a new rank just makes sense as it will help distribute you across ranks while keeping the prestige of high ranks intact as well.

Patch Notes

• Fixed a bug where Jett could equip a weapon during Tailwind
• Fixed a bug where Agents revealed by Sova’s Recon Bolt or Fade’s Haunt would sometimes briefly appear in an incorrect location on the minimap
• Fixed a bug where the scope visual effect would sometimes disappear when aiming with Chamber’s Tour De Force

• Fixed a bug where using an Ultimate point orb or defusing the Spike at maximum range could cause channeling and progress bar animations to flicker
• Fixed a bug where the use channeling progression bar does not update if the player disconnects and reconnects during the match

Valorant Patch 5 is expected to launch on June 22. So, what can you say about the upcoming changes?