[UPDATE] VALORANT Patch Notes 12.05 – Miks Arrives, Lotus Changes, and New Mode

VALORANT Patch 12.05 kicks off Act 2 with one of the most feature-packed updates in recent patches. Riot Games is introducing a brand-new Controller, Miks. Alongside the new agent, players can expect HUD improvements, balance changes, map updates, a new game mode, and Premier adjustments. The dev team has also shared extra insight throughout this patch, emphasizing a shift away from overly self-sufficient agents toward coordinated team-based gameplay.

[UPDATE] While the 2v2 Skirmish mode had initially been removed in this patch, an additional update from Riot has confirmed that it will ultimately remain after calls from fans to leave the mode live.

Grab your duo, Skirmish is coming back! While we originally planned to rotate Skirmish out in Patch 12.05, we’re bringing it back starting the morning of March 19, Pacific Time.

As we continue experimenting with limited-time modes, we know some will resonate more than others.… https://t.co/GMWqJvqYbX

— VALORANT (@VALORANT) March 19, 2026

Valorant Patch Notes 12.05 – Highlights

• Assist Banners added to the HUD
• Killfeed updated to show assists and assisting abilities
• Status Effect Tags improved for clarity
• New Controller Agent Miks added
• Sage ally targeting updated + new visual model
• Yoru, Clove, Skye nerfed; Breach gets voice lines
• Map pool rotation updated (Lotus/Fracture in, Abyss/Corrode out)
• Lotus A-site reworked
• New LTM Knockout added
• AROS and Skirmish: 2v2 removed
• Premier Stage V26A2 begins

General Updates in 12.05 – A Push Toward Teamplay

For Patch 12.05, Riot is focusing on supporting coordinated teamplay and increasing pick diversity. While mechanical skill remains important, the developers want strategy to revolve around team synergy and ability coordination. As a result:

• Agents like Clove and Yoru are being toned down due to strong solo impact
• The new agent Miks is designed as a team-focused enabler
• HUD and UI changes aim to better recognize assists and coordination

Key improvements include:

• Assist banners for clearer feedback
• Enhanced killfeed with assisting ability details
• Improved ally targeting (Sage + Miks)

Agent Updates

New Agent – Miks (Controller)

The biggest addition in Patch 12.05 is Miks, a Controller from Croatia who uses sound-based abilities to empower teammates. He officially releases March 18 at 10:00 AM PST.

Abilities:

• Harmonize
  • Equip and target an ally
  • FIRE: grants Combat Stim to both Miks and ally (refreshes on kills)
  • ALT-FIRE: self-cast Combat Stim
• M-pulse
  • Equip device
  • ALT-FIRE toggles between:
    • Concuss mode
    • Healing mode
  • FIRE throws device, emitting sound waves on landing
• Waveform
  • Map-targeting system
  • FIRE to place locations
  • ALT-FIRE deploys smokes
• Bassquake (Ultimate)
  • Charge and release a forward sonic wave
  • Applies:
    • Knockback
    • Deafening
    • Slow

Sage

Healing Orb – Ally Targeting Update

• New widget above targeted ally
• Additional highlight around ally model

Model Update

• Crystal growths added to reflect lore progression and strain of power use

Skye

Guiding Light

• Cooldown increased to 60 seconds

Developer insight:

• Previously too easy to use early for low-risk scouting
• Now requires more deliberate timing

Yoru

Yoru has been overperforming, especially in high ranks and pro play.

Gatecrash

• Duration reduced: 30s → 15s

Blindside

• Charges reduced: 2 → 1

Goal: force meaningful tradeoffs and reduce role overlap.

Clove

Clove has maintained a high pick rate and win rate since release.

Ruse

• Smoke duration while dead reduced: 14s → 6s

Meddle

• Area reduced: 6m → 4m

Goal: reduce post-death impact and open Controller diversity.

Breach

• Added new voice lines

Gameplay Systems Updates

Assist Banners

• New banner appears when you assist
• Shows exact contribution (damage/utility)
• Includes audio cue

Killfeed Updates

• Displays:
  • Assisting agent icon
  • Ability or damage used
• Visible only to teammates

Status Effect Tags

• Improved clarity and positioning
• Buffs shown on left
• Debuffs shown on right
• Easier duration tracking

Spectator & Replay Improvements

• Observers can now see:
  • Map-targeted abilities (e.g., smokes, salvos)
• These also appear in replays

Map Updates

Map Pool Rotation

• IN: Lotus, Fracture
• OUT: Abyss, Corrode

Lotus – A Site Changes

Riot is targeting early-round spam and improving attacker options.

Changes include:

• Attacker lobby wall thickened (prevents wallbangs at barrier drop)
• Jump-up to Vines repositioned for better attacker access
• Tree wall reinforced (no wall penetration)
• Extra room added near A-site stairs for defensive positioning
• Plant zone updated:
  • Cannot plant for breakable/link

Modes Updates

New Limited-Time Mode – Knockout

Knockout is a brand-new 5v5 mode focused on elimination and momentum. The game mode is an altered version of Team Deathmatch, but shorter and faster, forcing more team focused play.

Core Features

Resurrection System

• Killing an enemy revives a teammate
• Respawn delay scales with round duration

Team Territories

• Map divided by a center-line
• Capture orbs to push territory forward
• Orbs:
  • Heal
  • Grant ultimate charge

Crossing enemy territory:

• Applies debuff
• Triggers “Threat Detected” alert
• Obscures minimap

Loadouts

• No economy system
• Choose loadout each round
• Weapons escalate over time

Round Structure

• 5v5 on TDM maps
• 3-minute rounds
• Overtime disables respawns and healing
• Damage-over-time forces final fights
• First to 4 rounds wins

Agents & Abilities

• Standard agent select
• TDM-style ability recharge
• Ultimate earned via kills/orbs
• Ultimate resets on death and round start

Match Length

• ~8–15 minutes

Modes Leaving

• All Random One Site (AROS)

Premier Updates (PC Only)

• Stage V26A2 begins March 18
• Runs 6 weeks (reduced from 7)
• Requires 500 Premier Score for Playoffs
• Playoffs scheduled for April 26
• Contender/Invite qualification still placement-based
• Rewards hub display bug (fixed in Patch 12.06)

Competitive Updates

• Adjusted RR thresholds for:
  • Immortal 2
  • Immortal 3
  • Radiant
• No MMR changes
• Same leaderboard players expected

QoL Update:

• Rank Summary screen now allows:
  • Social Panel access
  • “Play Now” option

Bug Fixes

Agents

• Fixed floating gun bug (Gekko, Sova, Astra interactions)
• Fixed Veto Interceptor detecting stealthed Cypher Spycam
• Fixed Harbor relic visual bug
• Fixed auto-equip weapon issue on revive
• Fixed Brimstone smoke VFX at distance
• Fixed Deadlock Barrier Mesh exploit on Fracture

General

• Fixed multiple localization issues (EOG scoreboard)
• Fixed Career match history not updating
• Fixed progression bar overlap
• Fixed delayed focus highlight in Timeline

Battlepass

• Fixed scroll wheel navigation issue

Valorant patch 12.05 is a big patch as opposed to than just a balance update. With Act 2 underway, it seems like VALORANT is shifting toward deeper, more coordinated team-based play.