Valorant Episode 5 Act 1 is just around the corner and is due for release on June 22, 2022. Riot Games has released the patch notes for the upcoming update, detailing the new additions, changes, and content in the latest update. A dev stream held on June 16 revealed that Riot will be adding a new competitive rank to Valorant called Ascension.
In addition to the new rank, the new patch includes a new map called “Pearls”, a pearl-only queue, agent fixes, and bug fixes. Riot has also temporarily suspended all types of operations on the Split map, and there is no fixed date for its return to the game. Let’s talk about the new rank and all the content in the patch notes.
Valorant 5.0 Patch Notes (Episode 5 Act 1): Details
Image via Riot Games
The new rank is above Diamond and below Immortal, allowing more players to be sorted between the minimum and maximum ends of the ranking system. The Ascendant rank will be available on June 22, along with the release of the fifth episode of the first act.
Riot has stated that many Bronze and Silver players do not belong to them, which led the developers to think about a rating distribution system. Additionally, Riot described that it could lead to higher ranks such as Platinum and Diamond being overpopulated. They then decided to implement Ascendant before Immortal, the second highest rank in the game, to avoid filling up players. According to Riot, this will help maintain the reputation of the highest ranks.
Just announced on stream, your first look at the new Ascendant Rank
• New Rank above Diamond, below Immortal
• Adjusted Rank grouping restrictions, placements, and 5-stack penalties
• Full details to come in Patch Notes 5.0 https://t.co /nEOGnr9sLf pic.twitter.com/8ZOTwU1BI2
The patch notes also feature a new map called Pearl, and according to Riot, the new map reads: “Pearl is the first Omega Earth map in VALORANT that combines technological marvels with three-lane tactical gameplay.”The Pearl-only queue will be available for two weeks, and then Pearl will enter on a competitive basis. Moreover, Split is temporarily removed from the mappool in unranked and non-competitive queues.
The patch also includes bug fixes related to agents such as Jett, Sova, Fade and Chamber. Click here to view the full patch notes, and here’s a breakdown of the latest patch: