Riot Games has released VALORANT Patch 13.04 alongside the start of Act 5, bringing a refreshed map rotation, several Agent bug fixes, Premier changes, and a fix for transforming melee skins. Unlike some recent updates, Patch 13.04 does not introduce any direct Agent or weapon buffs and nerfs, making this a relatively small update focused on improving stability and preparing the game for the new Act.
In brief
- Abyss replaces Breeze in Competitive and Deathmatch
- Cypher, Viper, Deadlock, and Clove receive bug fixes
- Premier Stage V26A5 features a shorter five-week schedule
- Transforming melee inspect animations have been fixed
What Changed in VALORANT Patch 13.04?
The biggest gameplay-facing change is the map pool rotation. Abyss has returned to both Competitive and Deathmatch, while Breeze has been removed from those queues. Patch 13.04 does not contain direct weapon or Agent balance adjustments, so players should not expect any major meta changes from buffs or nerfs this time around.
Riot has instead focused on fixing several Agent-related problems and updating Premier for Act 5. Cypher, Viper, Deadlock, and Clove all receive fixes, while transforming melee weapons such as Kuronami 2.0 and Nocturnum should now behave correctly during their inspect animations. Premier Stage V26A5 also introduces a shorter competitive schedule and revised Playoff dates.
Abyss Returns as Breeze Leaves the VALORANT Map Pool
Patch 13.04 makes a noticeable change to the current VALORANT map rotation. Abyss is now available in Competitive and Deathmatch, giving players another chance to play the vertical, open-sided map in ranked matches.
At the same time, Breeze has been removed from both Competitive and Deathmatch. Riot has not announced any additional map pool changes as part of Patch 13.04.
Cypher, Viper, Deadlock, and Clove Bug Fixes
Several Agents have received fixes in Patch 13.04, although none of them are traditional buffs or nerfs.
Cypher’s Spycam minimap icon will now display with the correct rotation. Riot also fixed an issue involving Viper’s Snake Bite equip animation, which could appear incorrectly when viewed by an enemy player.
Deadlock’s GravNet has also been addressed. Its visual effects could previously disappear after a player disconnected and then reconnected to the match.
Riot additionally fixed a stability problem involving Clove. Repeatedly switching between Meddle and Ruse could cause players to freeze and disconnect, which should no longer happen following the update.
Premier Stage V26A5 Gets a Shorter Schedule
VALORANT Premier is also changing with the arrival of Stage V26A5, with matches beginning on August 18, 2026. The stage will run for five weeks of matches rather than the usual seven-week schedule.
Teams that reach a Premier Score of at least 450 will qualify for Playoffs on September 20. Contender and Invite teams will continue to qualify based on placement instead.
Especially for teams competing in the Contender and Invite Divisions, Playoffs will now take place across two days. The opening round is scheduled for September 19, with advancing teams returning for the finals on September 20.
Transforming Melee Skins Get an Important Fix
Patch 13.04 also addresses an issue affecting transforming melee cosmetics on PC. Weapons such as Kuronami 2.0 and Nocturnum could fail to transform properly while players used their inspect animations.
Riot says the bug affecting all transforming melee weapons has now been fixed, meaning their transformation effects should once again play correctly during inspections.
Are There Any Buffs or Nerfs in VALORANT Patch 13.04?
Despite the new patch arriving with Act 5, VALORANT Patch 13.04 does not include any direct Agent or weapon buffs or nerfs. The update is primarily centered around the Abyss and Breeze map rotation, Agent bug fixes, Premier changes, stability improvements, and cosmetic fixes.
Riot has also teased additional game news for September, including a new Dev Update and other announcements, suggesting more substantial VALORANT changes could be revealed in the coming weeks.
