Valorant Patch 12.09 nerfs Neon, shotguns before Masters

Riot Games released Valorant Patch 12.09. The update reduces Neon’s airborne speed, removes mid-round fuel top-ups except during her ultimate, and increases movement inaccuracy and spread for the Bucky, Judge and Shorty.

Neon changes apply to High Gear and fuel mechanics. With High Gear active, jumping no longer grants an airborne speed bonus and air speed while sprinting now matches melee speed. Fuel no longer regenerates on kills unless Neon’s ultimate, Overdrive, is active; passive fuel regeneration remains. Slide visual effects were adjusted to make direction and origin clearer to opponents.

Shotgun changes standardize accuracy across run, walk, crouch-walk and jump states and set crouch to a 15% accuracy multiplier. Rope accuracy was significantly worsened: standing on a rope spread increased from 0.075 to 0.75, walking on a rope from 0.09 to 1.5, and running on a rope from 0.1 to 3.0. The update raises spread values for movement and airborne firing to make moving, sliding or climbing fights less consistent.

The Bucky’s pellet damage at 0–8 meters was reduced: body shots from 20 to 17, headshots from 40 to 34, and leg shots from 17 to 14. Its minimum spread increased from 2.6 to 3.0 and walking, running, crouch-walk and jump spread values were raised. The Judge’s minimum spread increased from 2.25 to 2.5 on PC, with console adjustments scheduled for patch 12.11, and its moving spreads were widened. The Shorty’s fire rate was lowered from 3.33 to 3.0 and its moving and airborne spread values were increased.

The patch notes state the changes aim to reduce high-mobility, run-and-gun play and reorient shotguns toward defensive, angle-holding roles. Patch 12.09 is live on public servers while tournament servers remain on Patch 12.08. Riot plans to roll the 12.09 balance to competitive servers between the VCT playoffs and Masters London.

Neon had been disabled in regular queues while remaining available in esports play; the patch notes cite that split as one reason for the timing of these adjustments. The notes also indicate further balance work may follow.