VALORANT 2.04 Patch Notes: Astra and Prime 2.0 (March 2021)
VALORANT Patch 2.04, March 2021, starts Episode 2 Act 2 with the new agent Astra, the Prime 2.0 skin set, a new Battle Pass and Competitive changes such as the top 500 Radiant requirement.
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In brief
AI summaryIn March 2021, VALORANT Patch 2.04 started Episode 2 Act 2 with new agent Astra, whose abilities are Nova Pulse, Nebula, Gravity Well and the ultimate Astral Form / Cosmic Divide.
VALORANT Patch 2.04 adds the Prime 2.0 skin set (Phantom, Odin, Frenzy, Bucky, Karambit) and a Battle Pass with the Cavalier Vandal and a Prime III melee axe.
VALORANT Patch 2.04 keeps skill ranks at act start, cuts Radiant and Immortal RR by 90%, requires a top 500 place for Radiant and lets Iron 1 and Silver 3 players queue together.
Contents12 sections
VALORANT Patch 2.04 starts Episode 2 Act 2 and brings the new agent Astra, a new Battle Pass and other updates. Here is what the patch includes.
VALORANT's New Agent Astra
VALORANT Astra Abilities
Q - Nova Pulse
While in Astral Form, place Stars (X). ACTIVATE a Star to detonate a Nova Pulse. The Nova Pulse charges briefly, then explodes, concussing all players in its area.
E - Nebula
While in Astral Form, place Stars (X). ACTIVATE a Star to transform it into a Nebula (smoke). Use Dissipate (F) to recall a Star. A recalled Star can be placed again after a certain time. Before transforming, Dissipate briefly creates a fake Nebula at the Star's location.
C - Gravity Well
While in Astral Form, place Stars (X). ACTIVATE a Star to form a Gravity Well. Players inside the area are pulled toward the center, which then explodes, leaving the players inside vulnerable.
Ult X - Astral Form / Cosmic Divide
"ACTIVATE (X) to enter Astral Form, where you can place Stars with PRIMARY FIRE. Placed Stars can later be activated and turned into a Nova Pulse, Nebula or Gravity Well. When Cosmic Divide is ready, while in Astral Form press SECONDARY FIRE to aim and press PRIMARY FIRE to select two locations. An infinite Cosmic Divide link forms between the two points you select. Cosmic Divide blocks bullets and greatly muffles sound."
VALORANT's New Weapon Skin Set Prime 2.0
The evolved version of the skin set that broke sales records last season, Prime 2.0, includes these weapons:
- Phantom
- Odin
- Frenzy
- Bucky
- Karambit
VALORANT Episode 2 Act 2 Battle Pass
The new Battle Pass includes weapon skins such as the Cavalier Vandal or the Prime III melee axe.
Some Balance Changes and Adjustments in VALORANT's Escalation Mode
Bind teleporter exit doors no longer close. Players were entering the teleporter and waiting in Escalation mode. This annoying issue has been fixed.
VALORANT Episode 2 Act 2 Begins
Your skill rank will not be reduced at the start of acts.
If you are in the Radiant or Immortal rank, your place on the leaderboard will remain, your rank rating (RR) will decrease by 90% and those in Radiant will be dropped to Immortal.
Radiant now requires being among the top 500 players.
Players who have not previously been placed in any rank in Competitive mode in the current act must still play 5 placement matches to get their first rank.
Rank Rating distributions will now differ for each region.
VALORANT Low-Rank Matchmaking Conditions Expanded
The criteria for queuing together at low ranks has been expanded; an Iron 1 player and a Silver 3 player can now be in the same match.
VALORANT Voice Lines
Now, when the Spike is dropped or an enemy is spotted, instead of "Spike dropped" in the voice line, you will hear "Spike dropped at A" as a radio message.
