Riot Games has released the VALORANT patch 11.05 notes, confirming that Harbor’s anticipated updates will be revealed during Champions.
The final patch before Champions is here! VALORANT patch 11.05 brings visual effect updates for Harbor, tougher penalties for AFK abuse and queue dodging, and the launch of Pick’Ems ahead of the biggest event of the year. Who's excited?
VALORANT patch 11.05 notes: Harbor's visual updates
Harbor is finally receiving an update, although it is not the one we have been hoping for. Riot Games has only teased balance changes for the agent closer to Champions 2025, but for now, some of his abilities are getting visual updates to improve clarity.
- Reckoning: Reduced visual noise. Updated ground indicator to more clearly show its impact range. The yellow wisp is now closer to the Agent being hit, so it’s easier to see where someone is hiding before the concuss comes down. Shortened water splash on the ground for visibility.
- Cove: Improved visual clarity of shield health states. The health state is now more reflected in the visual water animation.
Champions Pick'Ems
As always, you’ll get the chance to put your VCT knowledge to the test with the Champions 2025 Pick’Ems. The Group Stage Pick’Ems open on Sept. 4, the same day the Champions bundle drops. You can score extra points by predicting exact placements.
This year, Riot has prepare some special surprises for us. You can align yourself with your favorite creator’s faction. Choose carefully because you can only join one faction. Each group offers a unique in-game reward. If you do well, the points you earn in Groups and Playoffs stages will contribute to the faction leader’s score.
AFK and remake abuse
Being AFK or dodging constantly will have harsh consequences for your account. Previously, queue dodge penalties started at just 1 RR and scaled up with repeated offenses. With VALORANT patch 11.05, the starting penalty has been raised to 6 RR and will continue to increase for repeated behavior.
This affects those who consistently abuse and disrupt the systems so don’t worry — you won't be unfairly penalized if you are genuinely trying to play the game.
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VALORANT patch notes 11.05: Bug fixes
General
- Improved the backend technology around detection abilities (i.e. Prowlers, Wingman, Dizzy, etc) so they can more reliably detect opponents within their field of view.
- Added audio cleanup logic to make sure unexpected audio events don't continue playing across round transitions.
Agents
- Astra: Fixed an issue where bullet tracers pass through Astra's Cosmic Divide. This fix does reintroduce an audio bug where there is a slight audio hitch when passing through Astra wall.
- Chamber: Fixed an issue where Chamber's Trademark in-world icon would not change color when aimed at.
- Clove: Fixed an issue where Clove's Pick-Me-Up cast sound was silent for enemies.
- Deadlock: Fixed an issue where Deadlock's Sound Sensor and Cypher's Trapwire were more difficult to place than intended. Then, fixed a Spectator bug with Deadlock's Annihilation deafen where audio processing was not cleaning up as expected after a spectated player was impacted by the ability. Fixed issue where use of Deadlock's Annihilation on Yoru's Fakeout clone would apply audio effects to the real Yoru.
- Gekko: Fixed a bug where "Spike Down" VO would play if Wingman was destroyed right after planting the Spike.
- Jett: Fixed a bug where Jett’s Tailwind audio would continue into the next round.
- Sova: Fixed audio issue where the “being watched” sonic feedback of Sova’s Owl Drone wouldn't trigger if the drone had line-of-sight to the player when the drone spawned.
- Vyse: Fixed issue where Vyse’s Steel Garden audio could trigger twice after Observers swap targets. Fixed a bug where Vyse's Razorvine would leave circles on the minimap for observers when Vyse died.
- Waylay: Fixed a bug where Waylay's Saturate could affect enemies after they left the range of the area of effect.
- Yoru: Fixed an issue where Yoru's Gatecrash in-world icon would not change color when aimed at. We have fixed a bug where in some cases after turning invisible, Yoru and Reyna would reappear in their original location when the invisibility ends.
PC only
Fixed an issue on the Awards tab where long names were not displayed correctly in some languages.
Console only
- Competitive Updates: Updated leaderboards to display Immortal+ ranked rating thresholds.
- Bug Fixes: New Player Tips have been switched off while we fix an issue where they are being displayed for a much shorter time than intended to new players. We are actively investigating having the feature switched back on as soon as possible.
That's all for now. Stick around for more VALORANT news, guides, and updates on esports.gg.
