Riot Games has fired the opening shot of with Patch 12.00, and it’s a heavy one. The update delivers a long-awaited Breeze overhaul, introduces a brand-new sidearm, and rolls out balance changes that are already sparking debate across ranked and pro play.
The headline change: Breeze has been rebuilt from the ground up to cut down extreme sightlines and speed up rotations, while the new Bandit pistol reshapes light-round decision-making.
- Platforms: PC
- Release: Season 2026 kickoff ()
- Price: Free-to-play (Bandit pistol costs 600 credits)
- Developer: Riot Games
- Genre: Tactical Shooter
Patch 12.00 marks Breeze’s return after being sidelined since June 2024. Riot says the redesign focuses on reducing angle overload, tightening overly open areas, and giving defenders faster, more reliable rotation paths. Early impressions suggest the map is less punishing to play and far more readable in coordinated team fights.
Joining the weapon pool is the Bandit pistol, priced at 600 credits and designed to sit squarely between the Ghost and the Sheriff. It rewards accuracy without demanding full eco sacrifices, adding a fresh layer of strategy to pistol and force-buy rounds.
New Weapon: Bandit Pistol
- Class: Sidearm
- Cost: 600 credits
- Magazine: 8 rounds
- Reserve Ammo: 24
- Reload Time: 1.5s
- Equip Time: 0.75s
- Wall Penetration: Medium
Patch 12.00 also adds a new 5v5 limited-time mode, All Random One Site. Every round randomizes agents, locks combat to a single site, grants free loadouts, and refreshes abilities mid-round. It’s chaotic, fast, and clearly built for experimentation rather than strict competitive balance.
Custom games receive a major quality-of-life upgrade as well, with replay recording now available for party leaders. This opens the door for VOD reviews, team analysis, and content creation directly inside the client.
Agent Balance Changes
- Breach
- Flashpoint projectile speed increased by 20% (2000 → 2400)
- Fault Line width increased from 7.5m → 8m
- Tejo
- Special Delivery concuss duration reduced from 4s → 2.5s, now deals damage (35 center, 20 minimum)
- Stealth Drone reveal changed to full reveal; pulse radius reduced from 30m → 16m
- Vyse
- Steel Garden radius increased from 26m → 28m
- Steel Garden width increased from 7.5m → 8m
- Sage
- Healing Orb targeting improved when ally models are partially blocked
- Harbor
- Storm Surge no longer requires line of sight
- Windup reduced from 0.8s → 0.6s
- Slow duration increased from 0.6s → 2s
- Reckoning slow duration increased from 0.6s → 2s
Other Notable Updates
- Breeze fully reworked and returned to rotation
- New limited-time mode: All Random One Site
- MFA now required for Ascendant+ Competitive players in EU
- Replays added to Custom games
- Hidden MMR adjustments for improved match quality
- Refreshed Home Screen, Lobby/Queue Select, and Social Panel UI on PC
With the VCT 2026 season approaching, Patch 12.00 is expected to be live during upcoming Kickoff events. Early theorycrafting suggests Breeze may remain favorable to familiar compositions like Viper control and Yoru aggression, though recent sentinel nerfs could push teams toward more flexible setups. Harbor’s buffs also position him as a stronger alternative controller on the map.
Breach’s improvements aim to restore his impact among flash initiators, while Tejo’s changes may narrow his already niche role. Vyse’s ultimate buff helps, but it may not fully counterbalance her earlier nerfs at the highest level of play.
Overall, Patch 12.00 is one of VALORANT’s most far-reaching updates in recent memory. From a rebuilt map and a new pistol to competitive safeguards and systemic tweaks, it sets the tone for Season 2026. Players are encouraged to explore the new Breeze layouts, test the Bandit in live matches, and prepare for a shifting meta as pro play ramps up. Full details are available in the official VALORANT patch notes, with competitive coverage continuing on the VALORANT Esports website.
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