Riot Games/Dexerto
Valorant devs have unveiled some of the changes coming to Neon, after she was disabled from the game due to a bug, and they’ve also got some shotgun changes, too.
Over the last few years, Riot Games has taken the rare step to disable agents from play on a few occasions. They did it with Omen last summer, and have since been forced to do it with Neon on May 7, 2026.
Neon was removed from play due to the fact that some players, typically using Nvidia graphics, were able to make it so they could see through her Fast Lane ability despite the wall still showing for enemies.
The Valorant devs promised that she would return in the 12.09 patch, with some changes to her “over-tuned kit” and now they’ve revealed what those changes are.
Neon changes in 12.09 update
“Neon has been breaking our dev philosophy on what combat should be, as well as how intentionally Agents have to play,” they explained on May 7, noting that Neon should “suffer” when not properly supported by teammates.
As a result, her High Gear ability will no longer “provide any speed bonus” when she is jumping. On top of that, fuel will regenerate with a kill when Neon’s ultimate is active, also passively too.
There will also be an improved visual effect to “more clearly communicate the direction and origin of her slide.”
The specific numbers behind these changes will be released with the 12.09 update.
Riot Games
12.09 patch brings overhaul to Valorant’s shotguns
Beyond that, Riot is also tweaking shotguns at long last, making them all less accurate when moving.
“Shotgun gameplay hasn’t felt as tactical or masterful as we’d like for the long term vision of the game,” the devs said. “Part of this is just that we’re a live service game, and y’all have gotten so much better at abusing the parts of shotguns that were tuned too generously, especially when they’re paired with Agent mobility tools.”
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Run, walk, crouch-walk, and jump inaccuracy values have been standardized across all shotguns, with a 15% accuracy multiplier when crouching.
X: PenguinValorant
The shotgun update had been slated for late June and update 13.00, but it will now ship in 12.09.
Instead, patch 13.00 will focus on Initiator cooldowns and Sentinel buffs.
