Riot still wants to nerf “run and gun” accuracy in Valorant

The ongoing debate around movement-based shooting effectiveness has dominated Valorant community discussions for months. While Riot Games has made substantial improvements to the core shooting experience, inconsistent accuracy during sprinting continues to frustrate competitive players seeking predictable gunplay outcomes.

Following weapon adjustments in patch 2.02 aimed at resolving precision issues during movement, developers are now preparing more comprehensive solutions. Lead designers Max Grossman and Sal Garozzo have confirmed that refining movement accuracy remains a top development priority.

“We acknowledge that mobile shooting should have situational value, but current implementation exceeds our intended balance thresholds,” the design team stated.

How accurate is shooting while running in Valorant?

Refining Valorant’s firearm behavior has been a consistent focus since launch. Veterans from traditional tactical shooters expect mechanics resembling Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where weapon mastery demands precise spray control and stationary positioning. However, lethal running shots have become particularly frustrating for skilled marksmen eliminated by opponents employing movement-heavy tactics in competitive matches.

Recent developer communications confirm that movement accuracy adjustments are imminent. Previous updates increased error rates for rifles during mobility to address running eliminations, yet community feedback highlighted ongoing issues with Shotgun effectiveness across various engagement distances. These concerns will be directly addressed in the Episode 3 update.

“Walking accuracy (distinct from running) has provided reasonable precision in VALORANT, enabling moderately accurate mid-range shots. The incoming walk accuracy modifications will substantially reduce medium-range effectiveness, emphasizing proper stopping before firing,” Riot explained.

The development team has consistently maintained that mobile shooting retains strategic value in specific scenarios. Episode 3 adjustments will recalibrate accuracy while preserving mobility identity. Consequently, unpredictable spray patterns during longer engagements should decrease, though close-quarters combat dynamics may remain relatively unchanged.

The fundamental shift in Episode 3 centers on rewarding deliberate play over reactive movement shooting. Players should anticipate needing to master counter-strafing techniques—quickly tapping the opposite movement key to halt momentum before firing. This change brings Valorant closer to its tactical shooter roots while maintaining unique character mobility elements.

For advanced players, this means recalculating peeking strategies and angle holding approaches. The reduced walking accuracy at medium ranges means that wide-swing peeks become significantly riskier, favoring shoulder peeks and information-gathering tactics instead.

Common mistakes include continuing to rely on movement shooting in situations where stationary accuracy would prevail. Many players underestimate the accuracy penalty during diagonal movement, which combines both horizontal and vertical inaccuracy multipliers.

Optimization strategies involve practicing stop-shoot-move rhythms in custom games and focusing on crosshair placement that anticipates enemy positions rather than tracking during movement.

Valorant Episode 3 Release Timeline

Valorant Episode 3 Act I launches globally on June 22. The new episode introduces initiator agent Kay/O, anticipated to significantly reshape the competitive landscape. Additional updates include comprehensive economic system revisions, firearm behavior modifications, and substantial ranking system adjustments. All changes deploy simultaneously on June 22 alongside a fresh battle pass featuring two months of progression content.

Players should prepare for approximately 2-3 hours of adaptation time to adjust to the new shooting rhythms. The changes particularly affect duelist players who frequently engage in aggressive pushes, requiring revised approach timing and angle clearance methodologies.

The economic rework may initially feel disruptive but ultimately creates more strategic depth in resource management. Understanding these weapon mechanics becomes crucial for maintaining competitive performance during the transition period.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Riot still wants to nerf “run and gun” accuracy in Valorant Comprehensive guide to Valorant's shooting mechanics overhaul and Episode 3 updates