Valorant 12.09: Shotguns nerfed, Neon mobility trimmed

Riot Games will reduce shotgun effectiveness across Valorant and trim agent Neon’s mobility in update 12.09, scheduled to go live on May 13, 2026. The changes were confirmed in a post on X by Valorant developer “Penguin.” The patch affects all shotguns and alters several elements of Neon’s kit.

All shotguns will receive reduced moving accuracy. Run, walk, crouch-walk and jump inaccuracy values will be standardized across every shotgun. Crouching will apply a flat 15% accuracy multiplier for all shotguns. Riot described the adjustments as intended to reduce strafing effectiveness while preserving shotgun use in very close-quarters fights.

Specific weapon changes include increased spread for the Judge and the Bucky, and reduced damage per pellet for the Bucky. Riot identified the Shorty and Judge as taking meaningful reductions in effectiveness. The uniform crouch multiplier will benefit some weapons in limited situations, but the combination of higher spread and lower pellet damage will lower the Bucky’s performance at ranges where it had previously been stronger.

Neon’s sprinting air speed has been reduced to match the game’s melee speed. Her energy will no longer automatically refill to full on a kill unless she is in her ultimate. Riot temporarily disabled Neon across all game modes while the team prepares the changes; she will return when patch 12.09 launches.

Riot framed the package of updates as balance adjustments to address recent gameplay trends involving shotgun use and high mobility. The developer’s post provided general parameters and several specific numeric changes; full, itemized values will be published in the 12.09 patch notes on May 13, 2026.

The update applies to Valorant across all platforms and game modes. Players can expect shifts in weapon pick rates and agent selection on maps and situations that favor short-range engagements once the patch is live.