Leaked Riot blog confirms agent 18 will be released two weeks after Act 3

Riot Games has made the strategic decision to postpone the launch of Valorant’s newest agent, prioritizing gameplay clarity over rushed deployment. This calculated delay demonstrates the developer’s commitment to maintaining competitive integrity.

The development team officially communicated this update through Twitter, clarifying that Deadeye will arrive two weeks following Episode 3 Act III’s commencement, representing one complete patch cycle. Interestingly, the gaming community had already uncovered this information through an accidentally published blog post.

Leaked blog post points to Deadeye delay in Valorant

Valorant’s competitive ranking system will undergo its seasonal reset as Episode 3 Act 2 concludes. With fresh ranking challenges approaching, the community eagerly anticipated meeting agent 18, widely speculated to be an Operator expert codenamed “Deadeye.” However, Riot has strategically rescheduled the debut by fourteen days.

Through a temporarily visible publication on Riot’s Arabic regional website, Valorant character development lead John Gosicki disclosed that Deadeye would join the agent roster precisely two weeks after Act 3 begins. The development team has targeted patch 3.10 for implementation, scheduled exactly fourteen days post-act launch. Act 3 commences on November 2, positioning Agent 18’s playable availability for November 16.

Despite the official postponement, Riot has committed to providing comprehensive insights about the new agent on October 29. Initial gameplay reveals will probably occur before Agent 18 formally enters the character selection pool. The revealing blog entry was subsequently removed from the official platform.

Speculative ability kits compiled by data miners indicate that Agent 18 could dramatically reshape Valorant’s tactical landscape. Contrasting with offense-oriented agents, Deadeye appears positioned to fundamentally influence match dynamics. This suggests the development team exercises deliberate caution with deployment to preserve game quality standards.

The explanatory blog publication has since been restored, detailing the specific reasons Deadeye requires additional development time.

Why is Deadeye’s release delayed?

According to John Gosicki’s official statement, Agent 18 currently fails to meet the excellence threshold that Valorant players rightfully expect from Riot Games. Launching the character in his current developmental state could negatively affect in-game clarity comprehension. Consequently, the development team has implemented a two-week extension to the release schedule.

Act 3 will initiate without introducing a new playable character but will probably include fresh cosmetic bundles, critical system updates, and additional in-game features. Competitors will enjoy fourteen additional days to master the existing competitive environment before Agent 18 integrates with established Sentinels like Sage, Cypher, and Killjoy to enhance Valorant’s strategic depth.

Riot drops more Deadeye teasers after delaying release

Following removal of the initial publication, Riot introduced a new promotional image showcasing a sophisticated wristwatch. Earlier visual hints featured Radianite projectiles suspended mid-trajectory, strongly suggesting Deadeye might possess capabilities to manipulate temporal flow and decelerate bullet velocity.

No existing Valorant operative currently interacts with time mechanics, though evolving mirror universe narrative developments could rationalize Agent 18’s potential time control abilities. Recent media content distributed through Valorant’s official channels previews a Deadeye-inspired device resembling a weapon cosmetic. The development team will likely disclose comprehensive details about the new agent alongside the new act before the formal launch with update 3.10.

Leaked information has already supplied substantial intelligence regarding the forthcoming agent. The new operative is anticipated to broaden the Sentinel category, contributing to strategic leadership positions within Valorant matches. The crystalline ocular motif combined with multiple Operator associations implies Deadeye might specialize in long-range engagement with capabilities for intelligence gathering and distant enemy elimination.

Regarding visual design characteristics, Riot Games has verified that Deadeye embodies an affluent and refined French persona. This character background could introduce unique cultural elements to Valorant’s diverse agent roster.

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