Valorant patch 8.11 buffs Neon’s run and gun, nerfs Reyna’s heal

Valorant’s upcoming 8.11 update delivers groundbreaking changes to the duelist role, with Neon receiving substantial buffs that redefine movement mechanics while Reyna undergoes careful recalibration of her signature abilities.

Riot Games previously indicated their intention to overhaul the duelist agent selection, aiming to break the dominance of established picks like Raze, Reyna, and Jett. Recent discoveries from patch note leaks confirm extensive modifications that will significantly alter how these agents perform in competitive scenarios.

The comprehensive balancing effort targets all duelists except Jett, with Iso receiving toolkit enhancements while Clove and Raze experience strategic downgrades. The spotlight focuses on Reyna’s adjusted self-healing capabilities and Neon’s enhanced velocity systems that promise to revolutionize flanking and entry tactics.

• Related: Patch 8.11 to make all Valorant maps playable, with a catch

Beginning with patch 8.11, Reyna’s Devour ability undergoes fundamental restructuring, with healing output halved from 100 to 50 points. This reduction pairs with accelerated activation timing, creating a faster but less potent recovery system that demands more strategic engagement timing.

While the healing nerf significantly impacts Reyna’s sustainability in extended fights, several compensatory buffs enhance her mobility and ultimate effectiveness. These changes shift her from a pure sustain duelist toward a high-risk, high-reward playstyle that rewards precise elimination timing.

Here are the comprehensive Reyna adjustments arriving in the next update:

• Healing decreased 100 >>> 50
• Full heal time reduced from 3s >>> 2s
• Overheal of armor no longer decays after a timer
• The top speed in her Dismiss (E) increased by 9.1 meters/second >>> 12 meters/second
• Total duration of Dismiss reduced from 2s >>> 1.5s
• Empress no longer has a timer and is permanent until Reyna is killed or the round ends.

Pro Tip: The permanent Empress ultimate now enables aggressive site holds and retake scenarios without time pressure, while the faster Dismiss allows quicker repositioning after securing eliminations.

Riot unleashes Neon’s full potential by dramatically enhancing her movement capabilities and tactical flexibility. These improvements position her to challenge established niche agents like Raze and Jett, who have traditionally dominated with their signature movement techniques.

During lateral movement while sprinting, her velocity remains consistently high. With doubled slide charges and accelerated movement reaching 9.11 meters/second, Neon becomes exceptionally difficult to track and counter. Her fuel regeneration accelerates by an impressive 40 seconds, enabling nearly continuous high-speed maneuvers.

“The design philosophy centers on enabling players to outmaneuver opponents through superior movement, so any limitations in this area felt contradictory to her core identity,” explained Valorant developer Dan Hardison regarding Neon’s overhaul.

• Related: Get a first look at Valorant replay system that’s coming soon

Complete Neon ability modifications:

Fast Lane (C)

• Dissipates from behind to minimize visual noise in combat space while giving cover for Neon.
• Audio has been updated to travel with the fade out of the wall.
• Wall Duration 6s >>> 4s
• Wall Dissolve Duration 1s >>> 2s

High Gear (E)

Neon no longer has her strafe speed reduced while sprinting.

Max Sprint Speed while moving sideways 6.73 meters/second >>> 9.11 meters/second

Time until Full Fuel Regen 60s >>> 20s

Misc

• Slide charges 1 >>> 2
• Neon now removes all weapon movement errors when sliding
• Second Slide Cost: 150
• Equips out of slide: Fast >>> Instant
• Relay Bolt (Q) – Charges 2 >>> 1
• Concuss Duration 3.0s >>> 3.5s

Advanced Strategy: The instant weapon equip after sliding enables devastating run-and-gun tactics, while the reduced Relay Bolt charges demand more precise utility usage. Master slide-canceling to maximize your movement efficiency.

These systemic changes promise to dramatically reshape the duelist selection landscape in ranked and professional play. Neon’s enhanced mobility creates new flanking routes and entry possibilities previously unavailable, while Reyna’s adjustments force more calculated aggression rather than brute-force engagements.

Countering Neon: Agents with area denial abilities like Viper or Killjoy become crucial for controlling her movement pathways. Pre-aim common slide exit points and use sound cues from her updated audio design to anticipate attacks.

Team Composition Adjustments: Consider pairing Neon with initiators who can clear angles ahead of her rapid advances, or combine Reyna with controllers who can create isolated engagements for her to capitalize on eliminations.

For comprehensive agent selection strategies, check out our Class Guide to optimize your team’s synergy.

This represents a fundamental shift in duelist philosophy, moving from sustained combat effectiveness toward explosive, precision-based playmaking that rewards mechanical skill and game sense.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Valorant patch 8.11 buffs Neon’s run and gun, nerfs Reyna’s heal Valorant patch 8.11 transforms Neon into speed demon while rebalancing Reyna's healing mechanics for competitive play