VALORANT Patch 7.12: Skye, Gekko changes brings new initiator meta

The upcoming Patch 7.12 to VALORANT is set to significantly alter the meta of initiator roles, per the PBE Patch Notes which have been revealed. The patch has been a hot topic of discussion in the VALORANT community as it brings notable changes to two key agents: Skye and Gekko. Here’s an in-depth look at what players can expect from these updates.

Skye’s Trailblazer Adjustments

Skye, known for her versatile initiating abilities, is set to face a substantial nerf in Patch 7.12 of VALORANT. This will particularly affect her hugely impactful Trailblazer ability. The adjustments are primarily aimed at the Tasmanian Tiger’s leaping capability. The key changes include:

The camera will now lock on Trailblazer during its leap.
No concussive explosion will occur if the Trailblazer is destroyed mid-leap.
Trailblazer’s leap will now concuss allies as well as enemies.

These changes are designed to encourage more strategic use of Trailblazer while making it harder for allies to push with it on their side. It also compels players to choose between gaining extra distance or fully clearing multiple angles without the leap. The reduced power of the Trailblazer leap’s concussive blast also means that enemies might be less inclined to vacate their positions when facing it.

Gekko’s Buffs: Enhancing Dizzy and More

Gekko, while not as underused as some agents, has lagged behind other initiators. Patch 7.12 in VALORANT will address this by buffing his abilities, particularly Dizzy. The updates include:

Reduced reclaim channel time for Dizzy, Wingman, and Thrash from two seconds to one second.
Dizzy will now react and shoot his projectile faster, with pre-fire targeting delay decreased from 0.5 to 0.35 seconds and missile speed increased from 7,000 to 10,000.

These enhancements aim to make Gekko’s Dizzy Flash less vulnerable to being shot down, thereby increasing its effectiveness in initiating plays.

VALORANT Patch 7.12: Additional Details

Apart from these major changes, Patch 7.12 in VALORANT also includes a series of bug fixes and performance improvements. The full patch notes are available on the VALORANT PBE subreddit. The patch is expected to go live on Tuesday, Dec. 5, but players participating in the PBE can start testing it over the weekend.