First Valorant dev blog of 2025 reveals progress on the Replay system, new Rank Shield, and more

The first Valorant dev blog of 2025 was released on January 8, 2025. In the video, developers discussed multiple issues and addressed changes coming to the game in Episode 10 Act 1, and beyond. Perhaps one of the most important updates provided was the progress made on the Replay system. The developers are currently tackling issues with optimizing replays to best suit the game. Furthermore, a new Rank Shield was also revealed.

This article will go over all the interesting updates provided by the Valorant developers as we head into Episode 10 Act 1.

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Valorant January 2025 dev blog: Replay system, Rank Shield, map pool rotations, and more

Replay system

Riot Games' Product Engineering Lead, Marcus Reid, briefly addressed the Replay system that the team of developers is currently working on. Reid took up the important issue of Lag Compensation. The basic problem is that the replays may show a different visual than what you, the player, may have seen occur in the game.

For instance, let's assume you witness your bullet eliminate a moving enemy. However, a replay may show that your fired shot missed the target while the enemy was still eliminated. Therefore, you may hit your shot in the game client, however, the replay may show your shot being missed completely. This issue is created by the response rates of the servers and may affect players with higher ping more gravely.

This is the major issue Marcus Reid and the team are currently tackling. The developer has promised another update later in 2025.

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Rank Shield

Valorant is also set to introduce a new Rank Shield. According to Product Lead Stephen Kraman, the shield provides a few buffer games before you derank from major ranks brackets.

For instance, a Rank Shield could protect you from dropping to Silver III from Gold I after you lose a derank match. This means you get to play at least one more match to help you keep your Gold I rank, therefore, having a buffer match before losing your standing.

Furthermore, Stephen Kraman revealed that players will now receive rating refunds whenever they lose a match to a cheater. Therefore, once a cheater is detected in a lost matchup, the lost rank rating will be restored for the losing parties. This change will appear during Episode 10 Act 1.

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Remake system

The Remake system is crucial to Valorant since an AFK player can ruin the matchup for their remaining teammates. Therefore, the Remake system will now automatically initiate a vote when a player has abandoned the match in the very first round.

Additionally, only three 'YES' votes will be required to call for a remake in Valorant.

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Gameplay and map pool rotations

Product Manager Tiffy Tsay and Live Design Balance Lead Dan Hardison addressed the upcoming gameplay and map rotation changes. In terms of gameplay, Agents such as Iso, Neon, Deadlock, and Harbor may receive important changes.

Developers mentioned that Deadlock could be upgraded to become more aggressive while Harbor may receive some changes to make his playstyle more engaging and appealing to players.

Finally, Valorant in 2025 will focus on map variety. The dev blog revealed that the maps will be rotated every act. Two maps will leave the pool for patch 10.00 and two will be added. The number of maps being switched out may change across the year. Developers also promised movement and gunplay improvements along with bug fixes.

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Valorant Esports

Leo Faria, the Global Head of Valorant Esports announced that each international league will now consist of 12 teams from the previous 11. Five new squads will also join from the Ascension Leagues:

• Apeks
• Sin Prisa Gaming
• BOOM Esports
• 2game Esports
• Xi Lai Gaming

Faria also announced upcoming events including Masters Bangkok, Masters Toronto, and finally, Champions Paris. A new season capsule with a fresh melee weapon was also announced in the Valorant dev blog. Finally, the Global Head of Valorant Esports also revealed changes in the Esports structure.