Valorant 12.08 patch notes bring new Skirmish: Ascension game mode & Act 3

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Valorant’s latest update, version 12.08, has arrived, kicking off Act 3 with some significant adjustments. Let’s take a look at what’s new.

Valorant has received some significant updates recently from Riot Games. They’ve revamped existing agents, introduced new characters, and even added a new weapon to the game.

Summer’s almost here, and it’s also the game’s sixth anniversary, so I’m expecting the developers to have some awesome stuff planned for Future Earth! Right now, though, they’re really concentrating on getting Act 3 finished and released, and I’m super excited to see what it brings.

Each new ‘Act’ in Valorant brings significant changes, and Act 3 – released with update 12.08 and the new Skirmish: Ascension mode – is no different. Here’s a look at what’s coming.

Skirmish: Ascension arrives in 12.08

The latest update, 12.09, introduces Skirmish: Ascension! It’s an improved version of Skirmish, offering a selected group of agents to play as, and new 1v1 and 2v2 match options.

Plus, we’ve added a competitive ranking system called FTW, allowing you to test your abilities solo or team up with a friend and climb the ranks together.

The aim of the game is to be the first to win 10 rounds using the guns and abilities provided. 

Act 3 battlepass and Kuronami 2.0 bundle

Plus, the Kuronami 2.0 bundle is now available for 9,500 VP. It includes skins for the Melee Kunai/Katana, Phantom, Operator, Ghost, and Guardian weapons.

The new Act 3 Battlepass is now available, featuring the Keys to Elysium Vandal skin, Insidious Phantom skin, and the Boss Bear Spray. There are also many other items to unlock within the Battlepass.

The full patch notes for the 12.08 update can be found below.

Valorant 12.08 patch notes

ALL PLATFORMS

MAP UPDATES

  • Map Pool Updates
  • ASCENT is IN the Competitive and Deathmatch queues.
  • BIND is OUT of the Competitive and Deathmatch queues.

MODES UPDATES

  • NEW LIMITED TIME MODE
  • Introducing Skirmish: Ascension, a new limited ranked experience for Skirmish.

This new mode is all about quick, competitive matches where aiming and shooting are key. Players use limited abilities to add strategic depth to their fights, making each duel unique. You’ll choose from a select group of Agents, each with just one ability, and battle through weapon-focused rounds in 1v1 or 2v2 matches. Climb the ranked ladder to earn rewards and show off your skills! It’s available now with Act 3.

Mode Details

Agents & Abilities

  • Choose from 14 Agents, each with one ability from their kit
  1. Jett (Tailwind)
  2. Waylay (Refract)
  3. Chamber (Rendezvous)
  4. Cypher (Cyber Cage)
  5. Omen (Shrouded Step)
  6. Phoenix (Curve Ball)
  7. Yoru (Clone)
  8. Iso (Contingency)
  9. Sage (Barrier Orb)
  10. Raze (Blast Pack)
  11. Vyse (Arc Rose)
  12. KAY/O (Flash/Drive)
  13. Breach (Flashpoint)
  14. Veto (Crosscut)

Staged Weapons

  • No economy. Weapons escalate through stages as the match progresses
  • Rounds 1-4: Pistols (Bandit, Sheriff)
  • Rounds 5-8: Low-tier rifles (Guardian, Bulldog)
  • Round 9+: Vandal and Phantom

Queues

  • 1v1 and 2v2 with separate matchmaking

Round Structure

  • First to 10 rounds win

FTW Ranked Ladder

  • Competitive leaderboard segmented by server, region, and platform
  • Separate leaderboards for 1v1 and 2v2, tracked independently

Rank Tiers

  • Iron: 700
  • Bronze: 1100
  • Silver: 1500
  • Gold: 1800
  • Platinum: 2100
  • Diamond: 2400
  • Ascendant: 2700
  • Immortal: MAX
  • Radiant: Top 100

Rewards

  • Combat Ready player card: Complete 3 Skirmish: Ascension matches
  • Trade Me player card: Complete 15 Skirmish: Ascension matches
  • Titles awarded by highest rank achieved on either ladder
  • Skirmish Competitor: Gold to Platinum
  • Skirmish Expert: Diamond to Immortal
  • Skirmish Legend: Radiant

LEAVING LIMITED TIME MODES

  • Knockout is heading out. Thanks for playing!

BUG FIXES

Agent

  • These were fixed in Patch 12.07 but missed the notes.
  • Fixed a bug where using Miks’ Bassquake would cause the minimap cone to blink on use.
  • Fixed a bug where Veto’s Chokehold could detect enemies behind rotating doors on Lotus.
  • Fixed a bug where KAY/O’s ability VFX were not appearing if used right after KAY/O casts NULL/cmd.
  • Fixed a bug where Neon’s High Gear slide was not playing SFX for moving across different surface types.
  • Fixed a bug where Tejo’s agent select animation would sometimes cut off the smoke from the explosion.
  • Fixed a bug where Gekko’s Dizzy would only target an enemy if their head was visible.
  • Fixed a bug where during Dimensional Drift Yoru could not see invisible abilities like Vyse’s Shear or Cypher’s Trapwire even if he was close enough to them.

These are new fixes in Patch 12.08.

  • Fixed a bug where Viper’s Toxic Screen SFX would activate repeatedly when Veto walked into it with Evolution active
  • Fixed a bug where players resurrected by Sage inside of Viper’s Decaying abilities would not gain Decay.
  • Fixed a bug where Tejo’s Armageddon would sometimes cast targeting spawn instead of the intended location.

PC ONLY

PREMIER UPDATES UPDATES

Welcome to Stage V26A3! Matches start on May 6.

  • Contender and Invite Division schedule changes:
  1. There are only 6 weeks of matches this stage – the matches are still each Saturday from May 9 – June 13.
  2. Playoffs now take place across multiple days.
  3. The first round of playoffs takes place on June 20.
  4. Teams that advance from the first round return on June 21 for their next matchup.
  • Make sure to check the schedule in the client for round start times for your zone!

BUG FIXES

General

  • Fixed an issue in settings where audio sliders weren’t moving correctly
  • Fixed an issue where trying to exit the client while a replay was paused wasn’t working

CONSOLE ONLY

KNOWN ISSUES

Modes

  • Skirmish 2v2: Ascension and Skirmish 1v1: Ascension – Timer is stuck at 00.50 sec when during Overtime phase.
  • Skirmish 2v2: Ascension and Skirmish 1v1: Ascension – Agent abilities do not show up on the Combat Report in the following round after affecting enemies

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2026-04-28 16:27