Valorant has introduced new Ranked Shield system in competitive queues to ensure players from dropping ranks in Patch 10.01. This new Rank Shield System makes sure players having a bad game doesn’t lose their rank. The new system offer three Shield that helps players from dropping down in ranks. Moreover, patch 10.01 includes changes to new Agent Tejo and minor bug fixes.
Valorant is going through major map pool changes than it has ever before. With new map pool changes coming with patch 10.04. Icebox and Ascent will return back in competitive map pool. Keeping their word, the developer has already announced when the next map pool rotation will arrive, just a week after the start of Season 2025 Act 1.
The first trailer for Episode 10 Act 1 for Valorant reveals new Initiator Tejo as well as the new battle pass coming with the Act including the new FLEX items. Moreover, showing brand new skins from Battle Pass. And showing casing the first skin bundle for year 2025, called the EX.O skin bundle.
Valorant is having a blast in 2025 with the launch of its new Episode. From a brand new Initiator Tejo, a new Battle Pass. Riot Games has introduced a brand new feature and type of cosmetic coming to Valorant. FLEX is a new item that players will able to view during in-game and between rounds. It literally means flexing the cool cosmetic items.
Valorant is celebrating Chinese New Year which is in line with Year of the Snake 2025. Riot Games is having a special Year of the Snake 2025 event in-game. The event will be a part of Season 2025 Act 1. It will be part of the Valorant Patch 10.04. Moreover, Valorant has now switched to Seasons from Episode so, it can be confusing for players curious about patch notes.
Here’s everything you need to know about Valorant Patch 10.01 and New Ranked Shield system.
How does Ranked Shield in Valorant works
Ranked Shield is a competitive queues feature in Valorant which is added with Patch 10.01. Every player will get 3 shields. Two shields in the first tier of every rank apart from Radiant. These includes from Iron to Immortals. Losing your game on 0 RR will consume one shield from the Ranked Shield and saving you from dropping ranks.
Moreover, losing another match at 0 RR will consume the second shield. Upon losing the third game consistently will result in a derank. This is a great initiative by Valorant for Solo players that are having a bad game or their teammates are not as good.
However, Ranked Shields only work for the first tier of all the ranks except Radiant. That means if you’re Silver 1 it will save you from dropping rank and the Ranked Shield won’t work on tier 2 and tier 3 for Silver like Silver 2, or 3.
All the changes in Valorant Patch 10.01
The most important change and highlight for Valorant Patch 10.01 is definitely the Ranked Shield system. However, there are changes coming to Tejo as well as bug fixes on both PC and Consoles.
Here are all the changes coming with Patch 10.01.
Tejo
- Fixed an issue where players who exited then re-entered Armageddon’s blast zone do not count as Displaced in the Combat Report.
- Fixed an issue where Guided Salvo’s projectile would get stuck inside of Sage’s wall when cast towards a path blocked by one.
- Fixed an issue where Stealth Drone affected by Nearsight could see enemy player models at certain distances.
- Improved an issue where Guided Salvo’s smoke trail VFX could clip through walls and structures.
- Fixed an issue where Stealth Drone is slowed outside the AOE of Sage’s Slow Orb.
- Fixed an issue where Guided Salvo’s missile visuals are set to draw as a cylinder instead of a sphere, showing an incorrect damage zone.
- Fixed an issue where Artillery Missile loses functionality and appears as stuck if cast while being outside of the map.
- Fixed an issue where Guided Salvo damages players on elevation without showing a warning indicator.
Bind
- Fixed an issue where invisible collision would sometimes impede Agent utility inside one of the teleporter rooms.
Premier (PC Only)
- Fixed an issue where there were inconsistent font sizes on the Change Zone and the Delete Team pop-up screens.
- Fixed an issue where matches in match history did not show a mode tooltip when you hovered over them.
- Fixed an issue where the ineligibility warning tooltip in the lobby was very hard to trigger.
Competitive Systems (Console Only)
- Fixed a bug where the queue timer overlaps with a portion of the Leaderboard page.
That’s all you need to know about new Ranked Shield system in Valorant and all the changes in Patch 10.01.