VALORANT Patch Notes 10.08: Yoru Nerfs, Astra Adjustments, Gifting System & More

The latest VALORANT Patch Notes 10.08 are here, and with them come major updates that are reshaping how players will approach both casual and competitive matches in Act III of Season 2025. From long-awaited changes to powerful agents like Yoru, Astra, and Brimstone, to the introduction of in-game gifting, and even a wave of nostalgia with Episode 1 music, this patch blends gameplay balancing with quality-of-life improvements and emotional callbacks to the early days of VALORANT.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about VALORANT Patch Notes 10.08, how it impacts gameplay, and what it signals for the game’s future.

🎮 General Game Updates: VALORANT Turns Five

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of VALORANT, Riot is taking players on a trip down memory lane by bringing back music from Episode 1. You’ll now hear classic menu themes, character select tunes, and even nostalgic victory/defeat music in patches 10.08 and 10.09.

While some players might call this a small gesture, for long-time fans, it’s a subtle reminder of the game’s evolution—from beta excitement to becoming a staple in esports and global FPS gaming.

🎁 Gifting Now Available in VALORANT

One of the most requested features from the community has finally arrived: in-game gifting.

How Gifting Works:

• Go to the Store tab

• Open the Featured bundle or item

• Click the Gift button

• Choose a friend (restrictions apply)

• Send the bundle or selected items

Your friend can accept or decline the gift the next time they log in.

🔒 Limitations:

• Currently only works for Featured Store items

• No support yet for Battle Pass items, Collection store, or older bundles

• Riot promises expanded support in future updates

This is a major step toward building a more connected, social VALORANT ecosystem. Players who want to gift teammates after a clutch match or just surprise a friend now have that option.

🔧 Agent Balance Changes: The Big Three – Yoru, Astra, Brimstone

1. Yoru Nerfed (Finally)

Yoru’s ultimate, Dimensional Drift, has been a hot topic for months—especially after his dominant performance during VALORANT Masters Bangkok. His invisibility, information-gathering potential, and quick map traversal made him one of the strongest agents in coordinated play.

Patch 10.08 Nerfs to Yoru:

• Duration reduced: 12s ➝ 10s

• Point cost increased: 7 ➝ 8

This change targets pro play and coordinated teams that were using Yoru more as an intel agent than a Duelist. The duration nerf reduces the amount of time he can cause chaos in enemy lines, and the increased cost brings him in line with other strong ultimates.

💬 Community Response: Mixed. While casual players may not notice much, Yoru mains in high-ranked lobbies and pro scenes have expressed concern over losing a key component of Yoru’s utility. Still, his teleport and clone abilities remain untouched, keeping his signature playstyle alive.

2. Astra Adjustments

Astra, the cosmic controller, receives a small but significant tweak.

Nova Pulse (Stun) Duration:

• Reduced from 4s ➝ 3.5s

This standardizes Astra’s concussive ability with the rest of the roster, addressing what Riot calls “ability power creep.” While not a massive nerf, it may reduce her effectiveness in post-plant setups and site-entry denials, giving other controllers slightly more breathing room.

🔎 Pro Insight: Astra remains niche in ranked, but this change is likely aimed at pro team compositions where stun chains are meticulously timed.

3. Brimstone’s Incendiary Audio Update

• Brim’s molotov audio has been updated to be easier to hear, especially when placed under smokes.

This isn’t a balance change per se, but a clarity fix that helps players hear Brimstone’s molly even through visual obstructions. It could indirectly affect stall tactics or clutch denial scenarios.

🗺️ Map Pool Updates

• Sunset is BACK in Competitive and Deathmatch

• Fracture is OUT of the same queues

This rotation refreshes the map meta and gives players a chance to re-engage with Sunset, which had previously been removed. Players tired of Fracture’s split-funnel engagements will be relieved by this change.

🛠️ Premier Mode Overhaul

Stage V25A3 of Premier Mode begins on May 7.

Behavior Penalty System Overhauled:

Previously, players caught engaging in disruptive behavior were banned from Premier for a flat 30-day period. Now, Riot introduces a tiered penalty system that scales based on:

• Severity of misconduct

• Length of active intervention

This makes punishment more proportional and could reduce toxicity across ranked and Premier lobbies. It's also a sign Riot is investing deeper into behavioral systems as VALORANT’s competitive scene matures.

🐞 Bug Fixes Galore

Patch 10.08 comes with a long list of bug fixes, improving stability and ensuring competitive integrity. Here are some highlights:

Major Agent Fixes:

• Yoru Clone Movement: Fixed movement mismatch when hitting walls

• Harbor Bracelet Visuals: Water no longer clips through thin walls

• Vyse Ability Bugs: Multiple fixes to Shear and Arc Rose cooldowns/visual cues

• Deadlock Barrier Mesh: No longer provides unintended boosts

• Skye & Gekko Leaps: Now affected by Waylay’s Saturate debuff

• Tejo Visual Bugs: Danger indicators and VFX issues fixed

Cosmetic Fixes:

• Act III Battlepass player cards had incorrect names (to be fixed in 10.09)

📊 Ranked Gun Buddy Reminder

Patch 10.08 marks your last chance to climb the ranked ladder before Patch 11.00, when Ranked Gun Buddies will be distributed. Your reward will reflect the highest rank achieved during Season 2025’s three Acts.

🎧 Nostalgia

Mode Activated

Celebrating five years of VALORANT, the game is bringing back Episode 1’s iconic music across menus, character select, and victory screens. While not a gameplay change, it’s a lovely touch for veterans who remember the adrenaline rush of early ranked matches or LANs.

🧠 Meta Impact: What Patch 10.08 Means for Players

• Yoru’s nerf slightly shifts the duelist meta—expect fewer double-Yoru comps and more room for Reyna, Phoenix, or Neon.

• Astra’s concuss nerf reduces her zoning strength, especially in pro setups.

• Brimstone’s audio update is subtle but could have implications for late-round decision-making.

• Map rotation gives Sunset a chance to shine again, shifting strats across all ELOs.

• Gifting system adds a social layer to VALORANT, possibly boosting store engagement.

⚖️ Winners & Losers in VALORANT Patch 10.08

Winners:

• Social players (thanks to gifting)

• Veterans enjoying Episode 1 nostalgia

• Sunset map fans

Losers:

• Yoru mains (especially in pro and high ELO)

• Astra mains in coordinated setups

• Fracture enjoyers

🏁 Final Thoughts

VALORANT Patch Notes 10.08 offer a careful balance of nerfs, community features, and quality-of-life improvements. While some players wanted broader meta shifts or buffs to underused Agents like Tejo or Harbor, the patch focuses on refining high-impact agents and celebrating community milestones.

From gameplay clarity to the long-awaited gifting system, Riot’s focus is clearly on polishing VALORANT’s core experience as the game enters its fifth year.