Valorant’s patch 8.11 changed the game up exponentially. With many of the Duelist agents receiving buffs, this created a meta where two or more duelists on a single team was common. Specifically, Neon and Iso became a problem on the server but Riot Games is already taking action.
On Patch 9.0, an Iso nerf was placed into effect. The Double Tap shield no longer resets and the duration of the ability is shorter. Will this actually take him out of the meta? Or will players continue to play Iso?
Is The Iso Nerf Big Enough?
The buffs in 8.11 allowed the shield to be reset upon two kills. Iso can already reset the shield after the kill if the player shoots the orb in the air. In addition, the duration in which the shield was active lasted 20 seconds. Essentially, Iso was able to have the shield active and reset it multiple times during a round if he was getting kills.
The Iso nerf in patch 9.0 is removing the two kill reset, so players can’t refresh the shield unless he shoots the orbs. The duration of the shield is also getting cut from 20 seconds to 12 seconds. That’s almost half the original time.
Iso has been running rampant in casual and ranked queues in Valorant. Players are getting flashbacks to when Chamber was left untouched for months and played nearly every game. Iso received nerfs a little over two weeks later.
The Iso nerf isn’t big enough to completely take him out of the meta but it will show players who’s actually good on the agent versus who’s abusing him for Rank Rating.
Valorant – What’s in Patch 8.11 and 9.0?
Prior to Patch 8.11, the meta for Valorant was getting stale. Riot Games have not made any major gameplay changes in months. Only small changes to specific agents like Viper, Cypher, and Brimstone.
Patch 8.11 was exciting for not only the Duelist changes but also the addition of a new map called Abyss. Players have to jump across gaps in specific areas to reach new heights or down below. Miss the jump and you die.
Furthermore, the fan-favorite map Haven is also returning for Competitive mode with Split and Breeze out. Neon and Iso were very niche picks before 8.11. Only few select players would play them, even fewer in an esports environment.
After Patch 8.11, though, it seems like everyone wants to play Neon and especially Iso.
The buffs Iso received made him one of the most broken agents in all of Valorant. His Double Tap ability grants him a shield, allowing him to tank one damaging ability, no matter the damage output. It can be a Raze Showstopper or a head-tap with the Vandal or Pantom. The first bit of damage Iso takes with Double Tap active is negated.
What do you think of these changes coming to the game? Let us know in the comments what you think!
