Valorant 11.09 update finally clamps down on smurfs with long-awaited MFA change

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Okay, so Valorant just dropped update 11.09, and the big news is they’re making some players use two-factor authentication – basically, an extra layer of security – if they want to play competitive matches. Let’s dive into what else changed in this patch!

Valorant had a busy summer in 2025, as Riot Games released several major updates to mark the game’s fifth anniversary. One of these updates was the addition of multi-factor authentication for player accounts.

Riot announced that requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) is meant to stop smurfing and boosting. Smurfs create new, lower-level accounts to disrupt the game for other players, and sometimes even profit from doing so.

In mid-September, Riot Games announced they would require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for some player accounts starting with the recent 11.09 update. That update is now live, meaning those accounts are now required to use MFA.

Valorant finally combating smurfs with MFA

Players identified as potentially sharing accounts or using a single account with multiple people will be required to enable multi-factor authentication for added security.

Starting with patch 11.10, all players in the Ascendant+ ranks will need to enable Riot Mobile MFA on their accounts.

Riot is asking players to report accounts that are smurfing, categorizing those reports as ‘Rank Manipulation.’ They say these reports will help them improve their ability to detect smurf accounts.

Update 11.09 focuses on improving the player experience with clearer object highlighting and a system that helps you quickly choose between options.

The full patch notes for the 11.09 update can be found below.

Valorant 11.09 patch notes

ALL PLATFORMS

COMPETITIVE UPDATES

Beginning November 9th, players in North America, Latin America, Brazil, and Korea will need to enable Riot Mobile multi-factor authentication (MFA) to play ranked games. This change doesn’t affect other game modes.

  • You can check out this article for more information on why we’re making this change, or get yourself set up with MFA now using this how-to guide.
  • Reminder to please report players for smurfing as Rank Manipulation. Your reports will help us level up our detections!
  • And lastly, a quick reminder that all Ascendant+ players will be required to add Riot Mobile MFA to their accounts in the above regions in an upcoming patch.

GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS UPDATES

  • We’re rolling out some small quality of life updates that should make it easier for you to perform the action you intend to in-game. Interactive objects are the focus of this patch, and this will cover everything your “Use Object” button will do—basically, anything where you press “F” on PC or Square/X on Console by default.
  • Interactive Object Highlighting – World interactions including Switches, Ropes, Ziplines and Ultimate Orbs have been updated to use the standard green highlight color that other interactive objects in the game use.
  • Interactive Object Prioritization – Aiming can now prioritize highlighted actions when multiple are possible. So now when you’re in a Deadlock GravNet next to a Rope, you’ll have more control over what you’re interacting with first.

BUG FIXES

Maps

Pearl

  • Fixed an issue where a crate on B Site was missing collision in certain game modes

Breeze

  • Fixed a spot on Breeze where players could destroy utility through a wall

Abyss

  • Fixed a spot on the map where using Deadlock’s GravNet could potentially instantly eliminate teleporting agents like Yoru and Omen

Corrode

  • Adjusted an area on A Site to prevent Agents such as Waylay, Jett, and Raze from accessing unintended locations above the playable space

Agents

Astra

  • Fixed an issue that caused a Star activation sound for an already used Star to play when Astra was revived

Gekko

  • Fixed a bug where Gekko’s Wingman did not play the intended animation when defusing the Spike

Gekko and Killjoy

  • Fixed a bug that caused Detain visual effects to show through thin walls and doors.

Iso

  • Fixed a bug that caused Iso’s Kill Contract to scale up when spectating Iso with this ability equipped

Omen

  • Omen’s Paranoia icon will be smaller so the overlay does not cover the minimap.

Reyna

  • Fixed a bug where using Reyna’s Empress would sometimes not progress the Use Your Ultimate Ability mission

Skye

  • Fixed an issue that caused Skye’s Guiding Light visual effects to linger when equipping and unequipping immediately

Sage

  • Fixed an issue that allowed Sage’s Healing Orb to target players who were decayed but fully healed underneath the decay

Veto

  • Fixed an issue where the radius indicator when placing the Crosscut vortex wouldn’t match the placed one
  • Softened the visual effects during Veto’s Evolution transformation and fixed some bright spots flickering in Agent Select
  • Fixed an issue where Veto’s Crosscut and Chokehold ability descriptions were inconsistent with their in-game behavior
  • Fixed the tendrils’ exit animation on the Chokehold ability that was not showing up
  • Fixed an issue where some visual swirl effects wouldn’t show up during the Crosscut equip animation in some specific occasions
  • Fixed a bug where using Veto’s Evolution would sometimes not count towards weekly mission progress

Viper

  • Fixed a bug that caused Viper’s Viper Pit to linger in front of you when unequipped without casting
  • Fixed a bug where Viper’s Snake Bite visual effects didn’t fade at the same time for allies and enemies

Vyse

  • Fixed a bug that caused Razorvine to appear to be missing its bottom half when Vyse died or Razorvine became inactive

Yoru

  • Fixed a bug where Yoru’s Fakeout didn’t collide with things in the game as if it were a player
  • Fixed a bug where Yoru’s Fakeout wasn’t being destroyed by abilities it took lethal damage

Multiple Agents

  • Fixed an issue where audio timing for Suppress audio didn’t end when the Suppress duration actually ended
  • Fixed a bug that caused Concuss visual effects to show through thin walls and doors

CONSOLE ONLY

BUG FIXES

Agents

  • Fixed a rare bug where players were sometimes unable to move the cursor while using map-targeted abilities like Brimstone’s Sky Smoke

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2025-10-28 16:50