Valorant Update 8.08 Patch Notes: Cypher & Viper Nerfs, Premier Updates, More

Valorant patch 8.08 has arrived with Episode 8 Act 3, featuring significant nerfs to agents such as Cypher and Viper. Below is a comprehensive summary of the updates included in the Valorant update 8.08 patch notes.

As of Valorant patch 8.08, Viper has undergone a nerf which reduces her Snake Bite charges to one and increases their cost. However, the duration of this ability has been extended beyond 5.5 seconds. Additionally, her Toxic Screen and Poison Cloud abilities have been adjusted, greatly affecting gameplay, particularly in VCT.

When using Cypher’s Spycam, enemies will now be able to hear a recurring audio cue while under surveillance. As a result, Cypher’s previous advantage of silently spying on enemies will be eliminated.

The release of Valorant patch 8.08 also marks the start of Episode 8 Act 3, introducing a new premium Mystbloom bundle and a Battle Pass to work towards.

Valorant update 8.08 patch notes

an image of Viper and Cypher changes in Valorant patch 8.08 — Riot Games

Cypher’s Trapwire re-arm time has been extended to 2 seconds (previously 1), while the duration of the slow effect on Trapwires has been decreased to 1.25 seconds (previously 2). Additionally, his Spycam will now emit a continuous sound when detecting an enemy, filling in the missing cue that was absent before.

During the Buy Phase, Viper’s Poison Cloud can now only be picked up. Once a round begins, the Poison Cloud will remain in its initial position. The maximum duration for her Toxic Screen and Poison Cloud has been decreased to 12 seconds from 13.5 seconds and the minimum required fuel to reactivate the smokes has been raised to 30%. The cooldown for reactivating these smokes has been reduced to 5 seconds from 5.5.

The requirements for the “Invite”Division in the Premier game mode have been updated and will be implemented in Episode 9 Act 1.

The complete Valorant 8.08 patch notes from Riot Games can be found below.

Agent Updates

The term “chamber”refers to a large room or hall used for a specific purpose, such as meetings, events, or performances.

We have revised Chamber’s voice lines and included interaction lines with Reyna, Astra, and Omen.

Cypher is a strong encryption method.

Ever since the release of his updates in 7.09, we have been eagerly anticipating Cypher’s rise to a more prominent position on the Sentinel roster. However, we also believe that these updates have amplified his ability to stall, which goes against his role as an Agent focused on providing global information. Furthermore, we have noticed certain play patterns surrounding his Spycam (E) that do not allow for much counterplay from the opposing team.

Updates to Cypher’s Trapwire (C) gives enemies more time to deal with it after it has been triggered while the reduction in slow duration provides those caught a slightly better chance to use movement to avoid death.
- Trapwire (C)
  - Re-arm time increased 1 >>> 2s
  - Slow on Trapwire reduced 2 >>> 1.25s
We’ve seen it become common for Cyphers’ to hide Spycams (E) in the playspace and continually watch enemies without them knowing. We’ve added an audio telegraph for enemies who are being watched to provide those who are quietly moving a cue that they are being watched.
- Spycam (E)
  - Enemies now hear looping audio when they are actively being watched by Cypher from within the Spycam (E).

Viper is a type of venomous snake.

As you have consistently utilized Viper’s strengths to your advantage, she has become a formidable force in the meta and a frequently seen presence in professional play. Through this update, our goal is to establish distinct weaknesses for Viper in comparison to other agents, while preserving her distinct identity as a blend of a Controller and Sentinel. This should result in a required commitment from Viper to her positions, and a need for her to strategically manage the duration of her smokes, using her unique ability to control them over time.

A decrease in the overall time that smoke is in use, along with a decrease in the time it takes to reactivate her aim, aims to decrease the amount of time she can stall and encourage more efficient fuel management. Raising the minimum fuel required to activate her smokes allows for a longer period for enemies to attack when her fuel is completely depleted.
The fact that Poison Cloud (Q) can only be retrieved during the Buy Phase encourages you to carefully consider where you will place the ability each round. This solidifies her identity as a highly influential agent in a specific and dedicated area.
By limiting Snake Bite (C) to a single charge, Viper’s ability usage is reduced and her need for efficient fuel management is heightened. Additionally, the extended duration of the ability guarantees that any enemy caught in the acid for its full duration will be killed.

We previously notified our followers on social media, but we would like to reiterate that in patch 7.09, there were unintentional adjustments made to Viper’s fuel values. To provide complete transparency, the changes listed below will display three numbers: the original value before 7.09, the updated value after 7.09, and the final value for patch 8.08.

Toxic Screen (E) and Poison Cloud (Q)
- Max uptime on each individual smoke source reduced 15 >>> 13.5 >>> 12s
- Minimum fuel needed to activate smoke increased 20% >>> 30%
- Cooldown on re-activating smokes after putting them down reduced 8 >>> 5.5 >>> 5s
Poison Cloud (Q)
- Can now only be picked up during the Buy Phase
Snake Bite (C)
- Charges reduced 2 >>> 1
- Price increased 200 >>> 300
- Duration increased 5.5 >>> 6.5s

Latest Premier League News

A fresh era of Premier begins!

Check the standings page to view the promotion requirements for your division.
To be placed at least one division higher in Stage E9A1, meet those requirements.
The minimum requirement to qualify for the Premier Score playoffs is 600 across all divisions.

Fixing Bugs

Agent
- Fixed issues related to inaccurate line-of-sight checks near certain abilities (e.g., Phoenix’s Blaze (C)). This could manifest in flashes not working appropriately when the detonation was on the other side of a wall that was in the process of raising or lowering.
  - This fix applies to Phoenix’s Blaze (C), Neon’s Fast Lane (C), Harbor’s High Tide (E), Viper’s Toxic Screen (E), and Viper’s Pit (X).
- Fixed an issue where AI-controlled abilities (e.g., Killjoy’s Turret (E)) could detect you through Harbor’s High Tide (E).
- Fixed Clove’s icons being incorrect when Ruse (E) was equipped.
- Fixed a bug where Cypher’s Trapwire (C) showed on the map even when disabled.
Maps
- Fixed an exploit on Split that allowed Agents to stand on a sign on A Site.
Gameplay Systems
- Fixed an issue where footsteps were not produced when in ADS and when running while slowed by Sage’s Slow Orb (Q) ability.
Premier
- Fixed a bug where practice matches did not lock your division in.