“What is this? Overwatch?”: Valorant’s Latest Patch Makes Us Sure CS2 Might Just Take Its Crown Back If Riot Keeps Shooting Itself In The Foot

Riot Games innovated in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre with Valorant, and the game has gone forward to become very successful. In the four years that it’s been out, Riot has continuously updated the game and listened to community feedback regarding game balance. And for the most part, it’s been a great time.

But there have been some problematic changes along the way that haven’t been loved. Leaks for an upcoming Valorant update the new Regen Shield feature set to release in Patch 9.10. And right from the get-go, players do not like it one bit.

Valorant Newest Innovation Might Be One Step Too Far For Players

The Regen Shield is a new type of armor designed to regenerate health after taking damage. Leaked details and gameplay footage suggest that it will automatically replenish a portion of a player’s health. This will completely change how duels and engagements play out in a round of Valorant.

New Armor Type: REGEN SHIELD – Patch 9.10#VALORANT pic.twitter.com/PCLWyDYwV2

— Valorant Updates (@ValorantUpdated) October 21, 2024

While this might sound exciting on paper, many fans are skeptical about its impact on the game. A mechanic that regenerates shields passively and makes every round feel longer and more uncertain might not be the right move. The Phoenix buffs that are also part of the same update have been welcomed with open arms though.

Players worry that this will disrupt the delicacy the game is known for considering its similarity to features seen in other games like Halo and Fortnite.

The community’s concern is that adding a regenerating shield in a tactical FPS could turn gunfights into drawn-out battles rather than quick, strategic engagements.

What is this? Overwatch?

— ChescoFishy (@ChescoFishy) October 21, 2024

Additionally, there’s concern about how the Regen Shield will affect the game’s economy and meta. Currently, players have to carefully manage their credits, choosing between light shields, and heavy shields, or opting for better weapons. The Regen Shield’s introduction could complicate these decisions.

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Riot has not yet revealed its price, but fans are currently speculating that it may cost more than heavy shields. And that is another key takeaway. These details are still just leaked information and therefore, subject to change. So do take all the information with a grain of salt.

The Community Can Only Hope Riot Knows What It’s Doing

Agent balance is another issue Riot has yet to fully address with this new shield. The trailer for Episode 9 Act 3 showcased Phoenix using the Regen Shield, but Phoenix already has the ability to heal himself. This has led some players to speculate whether the shield will synergize only with certain agents.

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After all, if only specific agents can benefit from it, does that mean team compositions will become even more restrictive? Agents like Phoenix, Reyna, or Sage who already have healing abilities could become a lot stronger, while other agents might not make use of it as well.

For Valorant to remain at the top of the competitive FPS scene, Riot needs to take these criticisms seriously. The game’s unique selling point is its tactical depth and agent variety which attract both casual and professional players.

Introducing new mechanics that feel like repeats from other games, especially for something like this will do no good. Riot’s strength has always been in listening to its community, and now more than ever, the devs need to do that.

What do you think of this new Regen Armor? Let us know in the comments!

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire