Riot Games announced today (August 29, 2024) that it will release a new season of its tactical FPS **”VALORANT,”** beginning with **”Episode 9 Act II”** and introducing a new agent, **”Weiss.”** This was unveiled alongside the implementation of the latest features, including a new skin series called **”Nocturnum.”**
Weiss is designed to excel in the role of a **Sentinel**, featuring skills such as a setup flash, an indestructible wall that appears when enemies pass through it, and a trap that slows movement speed while dealing damage. Her ultimate ability can temporarily disable the main weapon of an enemy.
According to developer comments, Weiss is intended to focus on making bold moves rather than simply stalling enemies, establishing herself as an agent that specializes in **countering Duelists.** Moreover, starting August 30th, the new skin series **”Nocturnum,”** themed around harmonizing fear with beauty, will be released.
Riot Games’ tactical FPS “VALORANT” Episode 9 Act II is set to start on Thursday, August 29th! The new agent “Weiss” will also be introduced!
Riot Games, Inc. (USA) and its Japan subsidiary, Riot Games LLC (Roppongi, Minato-ku, President/CEO: Yasushi Fujimoto), are excited to announce that Episode 9 Act II of “VALORANT” will commence on Thursday, August 29th (Japan time) and that the new agent, “Weiss,” has been added. Additionally, the new skin series “Nocturnum” will be released on Friday, August 30th.
About the new agent “Weiss”
Weiss is a master of metal who uses liquid metal to isolate, trap, and incapacitate her foes, employing her cunning to manipulate all who oppose her and instilling fear on the battlefield.
・Arc Rose (E)
Prepare your Arc Rose. Aim at an object and press “Fire” to place a stealth Arc Rose. Alternatively, press “Alt Fire” to place it on the other side. Press “Reuse” to blind all players who can see it. This ability can be reclaimed and redeployed.
・Sheer (Q)
Prepare a liquid metal filament. Press “Fire” to set a stealthy wall trap. As enemies pass through, an indestructible wall rises from the ground behind them. The wall will vanish shortly after appearing.
・Razorvine (C)
Prepare a liquid metal nest. Press “Fire” to launch it. Upon hitting the ground, the nest becomes invisible. When “Activate” is triggered, a large nest of laser vines spreads out, slowing and damaging all players who traverse it.
・Steel Garden (X/ULT)
Equip your liquid metal thorns. Fire to unleash a torrent of metal spikes from yourself. After a brief charge, this ability disables enemy primary weapons.
Developer comments on the new agent “Weiss”
Q. What were your goals when developing Weiss, and what inspired you?
A. We began by posing questions that gameplay could answer while focusing on roles. For Weiss, we aimed to create a sentry that counters space-stealing duelists, rather than solely focusing on stalling. Essentially, we wanted an agent that punishes aggressive players who recklessly engage. Early in development, we conceptualized “Seer” as a suitable agent for separating opponents from their support systems.
Throughout the development process, we envisioned Weiss’s skill set as a spider’s web—luring enemies into it and then striking once they were trapped. Weiss needed to isolate opponents and exploit that moment to deal a punishing blow, akin to a one-two punch against reckless play. This concept led to the creation of Arc Rose, a commanding force unique to her role.
Q. Did you encounter any unexpected challenges or notable experiences while designing Weiss?
A. Initially, Weiss could not place flashes through walls, and Laservine functioned as an auto-placement ability like Chamber’s Trademark or Killjoy’s Alarmbot. While her defensive capabilities were solid, she lacked the offensive initiative to be a strong player in matches. Sentinels generally have limited impact offensively, but we wanted her to make significant contributions each round. By modifying Laservine to function as a throwable utility and enabling her to place flashes through walls, we created more lineup and space-stealing opportunities, promoting balance in both halves of the game.
Q. How would you characterize Weiss’s play style?
A. Weiss possesses considerable flexibility in her setup but lacks the informational tools typical of Sentinels in the current meta. I anticipate she will excel at maintaining her position while fending off multiple opponents. Weiss’s flash is most effective when pre-placed, requiring effective shot-calling on how to secure an area at the beginning of the round. Her utility shines when she successfully deploys her flashes, so players using Weiss must be prepared to engage actively.
Q. In what ways do you think Weiss will influence the current meta?
A. Recent shifts within the Duelist ecosystem and players’ inclination toward double Sentinel strategies have opened up new possibilities for innovative compositions and map strategies in VALORANT. By introducing Flash to the Sentinel role, we anticipate a diverse array of compositions will emerge as players deliberate over which tools to utilize or forgo across various maps.
Steel Garden also introduces intriguing economic implications, compelling players to more frequently purchase secondary weapons while allowing lower-budget teams to compete against those with better gear. Seer’s ability significantly impacts site attacks; its indestructible nature sets it apart from other Sentinel utilities, necessitating careful consideration of coordinated team plays. Players who act carelessly may find themselves isolated, potentially affecting the ranked ecosystem profoundly.
About the new skin series “Nocturnum”
The Nocturnum skin series, infused with elements of fantasy that accentuate the interplay of terror and beauty, features the Phantom, Classic, Bulldog, Marshal, and the latest melee weapon type, the Scythe.
In Nocturnum, weapons are equipped with unique killer and finisher capabilities. Achieving one kill on each player in the enemy team will fully unlock the Nocturnum ritual, summoning Noctis as the finisher and cloaking the battlefield in darkness.
The Scythe melee weapon type includes custom swipe animations and weapon aesthetics, alongside the special ability to switch between the Scythe and Daggers. The Daggers receive a custom right-click animation, complete with enhanced visual and sound effects for all actions.
Riot Games Unveils New Season and Agent in VALORANT – Episode 9 Act II
Riot Games announced a thrilling update today, August 29, 2024, as the tactical FPS VALORANT launches its latest season, Episode 9 Act II. This update introduces a new agent, Weiss, along with a fantastic skin series titled Nocturnum, set to enhance gameplay for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S players.
Introducing Weiss: The Latest Sentinel
Weiss is a powerful new agent in VALORANT, designed to excel in defensive plays. As a Sentinel, her abilities focus on countering aggressive duelists and disrupting their tactics. The key features of Weiss’s skillset include:
- Setup Flash (Arc Rose): Ready an Arc Rose to blind enemies in sight.
- Indestructible Wall (Sheer): Place a stealthy wall that pops up when enemies pass through.
- Movement Trap (Razorvine): Deploy a trap that slows and damages approaching foes.
- Ultimate Skill (Steel Garden): Temporarily disable enemies’ main weapons during intense moments.
The overall design philosophy for Weiss revolves around making bold and strategic moves rather than solely focusing on stalling the enemies. As Riot Games describes, Weiss specializes in countering duelists who often play aggressively, making her an essential asset in the hands of skilled players.
Weiss’s Skill Set Explained
Arc Rose (E)
Weiss can prepare the Arc Rose by aiming at strategic locations. Players can set it stealthily to blind enemies who get too close, allowing for tactical advantages during skirmishes.
Sheer (Q)
Unleashing a wall made from liquid metal, she creates an indestructible barrier that traps incoming foes, creating openings for her teammates.
Razorvine (C)
Weiss can deploy a liquid metal nest that turns invisible upon hitting the ground. Activating the nest releases a barrage of laser vines that will constrain and damage anyone stepping into its zone.
Steel Garden (X/Ultimate)
Weiss will erupt a torrent of metal spikes, moments later temporally disabling enemy primary weapons, allowing her team to capitalize on the chaos.
Developer Insights on Weiss
In developer interviews, the team shared insights on the goals behind creating Weiss:
“We wanted to create an agent who could counter space-stealing duelists, punishing reckless aggression. Think of her skillset as a strategic web that traps foes and eliminates them at the right moment.” – Kevin Meier, Game Designer
Upcoming Skin Series: Nocturnum
In addition to Weiss, VALORANT fans can look forward to the new Nocturnum skin series, which will be released on August 30, 2024. This collection embodies a unique blend of fear and beauty, featuring:
- Phantom
- Classic
- Bulldog
- Marshal
- Scythe (new melee weapon)
The Nocturnum skins include custom animations and finisher capabilities. For instance, players can unlock a great ritual by eliminating all opponents on the enemy team, summoning the mysterious Noctis as the finisher move!
Understanding Nocturnum’s Unique Features
Cosmetic Enhancements
The Nocturnum skin series enables players to appreciate the aesthetic beyond just gameplay. The Scythe melee weapon offers animations that change based on the player’s actions, providing dynamic visual feedback with each kill and assist.
How Nocturnum Enhances Game Atmosphere
The series is crafted to enrich the battle experience with fantasy elements that create visually enchanting scenarios amidst competitive gameplay. Every player will feel more powerful wielding these beautifully themed weapons!
Strategic Tips for Playing Weiss
To maximize Weiss’s potential in-game, consider the following strategies:
- Early Setup: Place Arc Rose flashpoints early to create zone control.
- Wall Positioning: Strategically position the indestructible wall to catch opponents off-guard as they enter choke points.
- Combining Abilities: Use Razorvine in conjunction with Steel Garden to lock down areas and hamper enemy responses effectively.
- Adapt to the Meta: Emphasize adaptation, utilizing Weiss’s mechanics to shape team strategies adapted to specific maps.
The Impact of Weiss on the VALORANT Meta
The introduction of Weiss is expected to shift the current VALORANT meta, particularly in how players strategize around duelists and the Sentinel archetype. With enhanced utility in clashing environments, teams will explore new compositions and tactical approaches to both offense and defense.
First-Hand Experiences from Players
Players participating in the beta have shared their excitement about Weiss’s dynamics:
“Weiss feels like a game-changer! I’m able to control the flow of engagements while punishing opponents for overcommitting.” – VALORANT Beta Tester
This feedback represents the potential for Weiss to become a cornerstone agent within VALORANT, harnessing her skills to dominate the battlefield.
Final Thoughts on Episode 9 Act II
The combination of Weiss’s abilities and the captivating Nocturnum skins will undoubtedly elevate VALORANT’s gameplay experience. Players should be ready to embrace Episode 9 Act II and explore the new strategic possibilities Weiss presents. It’s time to dive into the game!
