The 2026 season of Riot Games’ tactical shooter has arrived with a massive Valorant Patch 12.00 update, delivering a suite of features that players have requested for years. Headlining the patch is the introduction of a brand-new weapon, the “Bandit,” alongside the first iteration of the in-game replay system. These changes represent a strategic pivot for Riot as they lean into high-mastery tools and refined competitive integrity.
According to official patch notes released by released by Riot Games, the replay functionality is currently restricted to Custom Games. Party leaders can now opt-in to record matches in Standard or Swiftplay settings within the custom lobby. This tool includes 10-player first-person perspectives, a free-roaming third-person camera, and the ability to fast-forward or slow down the action, providing an invaluable resource for tactical analysis and content creation.
— VALORANT (@VALORANT) January 6, 2026
The “Bandit”: A New Contender in the Eco Meta
The arsenal expands today with the “Bandit,” a specialized sidearm priced at 600 credits. Positioned between the Ghost and the Sheriff, the Bandit offers a unique damage profile that rewards precision at close to medium ranges. As reported by esports.gg, the weapon features a punishing 152 headshot damage within 10 meters, allowing it to one-tap fully armored opponents in close-quarters combat.
However, the Bandit’s effectiveness drops significantly at a distance, with headshot damage falling to 112 at the 30–50m range. With a small magazine size of just 8 rounds and a 1.5-second reload time, the weapon is clearly designed for “hit-and-run” specialists rather than sustained fire. Its medium wall penetration ensures it remains a threat behind cover, particularly in early-round skirmishes.
Agent Overhauls: Harbor and Breach Take Center Stage
The Valorant Patch 12.00 update also brings a wave of balance changes to the Agent roster. Harbor, who underwent a rework at the end of 2025, receives further buffs to increase his impact. His “Storm Surge” (C) and “Reckoning” (X) abilities now feature a massive 233% increase in slow duration, jumping from 0.6 seconds to 2 full seconds. Notably, Storm Surge no longer requires Line of Sight to nearsight enemies, making it a much more reliable tool for aggressive site executes.
Breach also sees a return to power. His Flashpoint projectile speed has been increased by 20%, reaching 2400 units, while the width of his Fault Line has been slightly widened to 8 meters. These changes aim to reward the “precision and coordination” that Riot feels Breach has been lacking in high-level play. Meanwhile, the recent addition to the roster, Tejo, received significant nerfs to his Stealth Drone’s radius and a reduction in the concuss duration of his “Special Delivery” (Q).
Map Refinements and Competitive Integrity
Beyond the flashy new toys, Riot is addressing long-standing frustrations on Haven and the newer map, Corrode. On Haven, the mid window now features a breakable element. This change is specifically designed to prevent “early round start kills” through wall penetration, forcing attackers and defenders to commit utility or physical noise before taking a long-range duel.
The Valorant Patch 12.00 update also tackles the “smurfing” and matchmaking experience. Riot has modified the backend hidden MMR (Matchmaking Rating) calculation. The goal, as stated by the developers, is to help improve match quality and provide “more consistent matchups when queuing.”
For players in the EMEA region, those in Ascendant rank or higher are now required to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to access the Competitive queue, a move aimed at curbing account sharing and boosting ladder security.
