VALORANT Patch Notes 13.05: Agent Gear, Pick’Ems & Bans
VALORANT Patch Notes 13.05 brings Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems, penalties for stream-sniping and instalock tools, a warning about Agent Gear changes in Patch 13.06, sound spray changes, and several agent bug fixes.
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026. Source checked against Riot’s official patch notes.
Agent Gear
Pick’Ems
Stream Sniping Penalties
Bug Fixes
Quick answer: VALORANT Patch Notes 13.05 is not a huge weapon-balance or map-rotation patch. It is a trust, progression, esports, and bug-fix update. The most important player actions are simple: avoid third-party stream-sniping or instalock tools, finish any Agent Gear unlocks you care about before Patch 13.06, enter Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems once they open, and test the smoke and agent bug fixes in your normal games.
VALORANT Patch 13.05 Summary
Patch 13.05 is a smaller update, but it matters because it prepares the game for bigger changes coming in Patch 13.06. Riot’s official notes describe this patch as mostly bug fixes, with a larger next patch coming soon. For everyday ranked players, the biggest headline is not a new agent buff or weapon nerf. The real headline is that Riot is now rolling out penalties for detected stream-sniping and instalock tools.
| Area | What changed in 13.05 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Player behavior | Penalties are being rolled out for detected stream-sniping and instalock tools. | Detected use can lead to temporary game bans, with repeated use escalating toward permanent bans. |
| Agent Gear | Riot warned that Patch 13.06 will change how Agent Gear is unlocked. | Gear already earned stays, but future gear becomes tied to how much you play the associated agent. |
| Esports | Pick’Ems return for Champions Shanghai. | Players can make Group Stage predictions for points and participation rewards. |
| Cosmetics | Sound sprays are now only heard when nearby. | This reduces audio clutter so team communication is easier during rounds. |
| Agent bugs | Multiple smoke, performance, VFX, HUD, and ability interaction bugs were fixed. | Some fixes can directly affect ranked clarity, flashes, smokes, and ability reliability. |
| PC only | The Range can now spawn 10, 5, or 1 practice bot, with 5 as the default. | Practice routines are easier to control for flicks, taps, and warmups. |
Stream-Sniping and Instalock Tool Penalties
The most serious part of VALORANT Patch Notes 13.05 is the new penalty rollout for detected stream-sniping and instalock tools. Riot says players found using these tools can receive temporary game bans, and repeated usage can escalate to permanent bans.
This is important because Riot is not only talking about normal fast clicking inside agent select. The warning is aimed at tool-assisted behavior. If a third-party program helps a player snipe a streamer, automate selection, or gain an unfair advantage during agent select or matchmaking, this patch makes the risk much clearer.
Safe player takeaway
Do not install or use any tool that promises instant agent locking, queue sniping, stream tracking, lobby tracking, or automated selection. It is not worth risking your account. Use normal in-game settings, warmup routines, and legitimate aim practice instead.
Agent Gear Changes Coming in Patch 13.06
Patch 13.05 also gives players a clear warning about the Agent Gear system. Riot says Patch 13.06, scheduled for September 22, 2026, will revamp how Agent Gear progression works. The key detail is that gear you already earned will stay on your account, and Kingdom Credits will still be used for future gear unlocks.
The change is about how future gear is tied to agents. After Patch 13.06, each piece of gear will be connected directly to how much you play the associated agent. That means the current window before 13.06 is useful if you are trying to unlock gear for agents you do not normally play.
Use this time to finish Agent Gear tracks you care about, especially for agents you rarely play.
Future gear becomes more directly tied to playtime on that specific agent.
Your already-earned gear stays. Do not panic-buy; prioritize items you actually want.
Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems Dates
Pick’Ems are returning for Champions Shanghai. According to Riot, Group Stage Pick’Ems open on September 10, 2026, both in-client and on the web. Players can predict which teams advance, earn extra points for exact placement predictions, and receive rewards just for participating. Group Stage picks should be submitted before Groups kick off on September 24.
For ProConfigVault readers, this is a good time to follow pro player setups, crosshair choices, and tournament trends without blindly copying everything. Pro settings can be useful as a baseline, but tournament players may change sensitivity, crosshair, or role-specific setups during an event.
Sound Spray Update
Sound sprays were also changed in Patch 13.05. Riot adjusted sound attenuation so sound sprays should only be heard when nearby. Riot says this will be the standard for future audio sprays.
This is a small change, but it makes sense for competitive play. VALORANT depends heavily on communication and audio clarity. If cosmetic audio is too loud or travels too far, it can create unnecessary noise during rounds. A shorter sound range keeps sprays fun without letting them interfere as much with team calls.
Agent Bug Fixes That Matter for Ranked
Patch 13.05 includes several agent bug fixes. The smoke timing fixes may be the most noticeable in ranked because they affect line-of-sight interactions. Riot says smokes from Astra, Brimstone, Clove, Miks, and Omen were better timed so they should not continue blocking flashes or line-of-sight-dependent abilities while dissipating.
Astra, Brimstone, Clove, Miks, and Omen smoke dissipation timing was adjusted so flashes and line-of-sight abilities behave more correctly.
Riot fixed a performance drop that could happen the first time Chamber equipped, aimed, or fired Headhunter in a round.
Trapwire and Cyber Cage bugs were fixed, including incorrect line-of-sight blocking from Cyber Cage.
NULL/cmd pulses should no longer cause client-side framerate drops each pulse.
Dark Cover should no longer obscure a player’s vision after the smoke has dissipated.
Several Waylay issues were fixed, including Saturate and Refract interaction problems.
Other general bug fixes include ultimate voiceover continuing from an enemy perspective after the caster died and the Combat Report incorrectly showing “Enemies Blinded” for some abilities that do not apply Blind.
PC Range Practice Update
On PC, the Range practice mode now lets players choose whether 10, 5, or 1 bot spawns. The default bot count is now 5, and you can change the number in Range settings. This is useful for players who use the Range for crosshair placement, one-tap routines, flick warmups, or controlled burst practice.
If you are testing a new setup after this patch, combine the Range update with our Valorant Crosshair Generator, Valorant Crosshair Codes, and Valorant eDPI Calculator. The cleaner your baseline settings are, the easier it becomes to tell whether a miss came from aim, movement, visibility, or sensitivity.
What To Do After Patch 13.05
- Check whether you still want to finish Agent Gear for agents you rarely play before Patch 13.06 arrives on September 22.
- Prepare your Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems from September 10 and submit Group Stage picks before September 24.
- Avoid all stream-sniping, instalock, lobby tracking, or agent-select automation tools.
- Test your main controllers and sentinels again because smoke and line-of-sight bug fixes can change fight timing.
- Use the Range bot-count setting to warm up with 1, 5, or 10 bots depending on whether you are practicing precision, rhythm, or speed.
Official Patch Notes Source
This article is a player-focused explanation of Riot’s official VALORANT Patch Notes 13.05. For esports event context, you can also check the official VALORANT Champions Shanghai overview.
FAQ
What is the biggest change in VALORANT Patch Notes 13.05?
The biggest change is the penalty rollout for detected stream-sniping and instalock tools. The patch also prepares players for Agent Gear changes in Patch 13.06.
When do Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems open?
Group Stage Pick’Ems open on September 10, 2026, in-client and on the web. Players should submit picks before the Group Stage starts on September 24.
Will I lose Agent Gear I already unlocked?
No. Riot says already-earned gear will stay on your account. Kingdom Credits will still be used for future gear, but after Patch 13.06 each piece of gear will be tied to playtime on the associated agent.
Does Patch 13.05 change Valorant weapons or map rotation?
Riot’s public Patch 13.05 notes do not list a major weapon balance update or map-rotation change. The patch is mainly focused on behavior penalties, Agent Gear warning, Pick’Ems, sound sprays, PC Range settings, and bug fixes.
Are instalock tools bannable in Valorant?
Riot says players found using stream-sniping and instalock tools can receive temporary game bans, with repeated usage escalating to permanent bans.
