Patch 12.05 is live with some major changes to the competitive map pool – and Buff is making it even sweeter with in-app raffles where you can win Riot Access Codes worth up to $170. No banners, no ads – just pure in-app raffle action while you play.
Buff x Valorant Raffle Event – LIVE NOW
Play Valorant with the Buff app and enter in-app raffles to win Riot Access Codes worth up to $170.
🔥 New users get x5 entries to boost their chances of winning.
The raffle is running exclusively inside the Buff app: no banners, no ads, just pure in-app raffle action while you play.
Map Pool Shake-Up: Lotus & Fracture Are Back!
The biggest news in Patch 12.05 is without a doubt the competitive map pool overhaul. Two beloved maps are returning to ranked and Deathmatch queues, while two others are being rotated out.
Lotus and Fracture are two of the most tactically rich maps in Valorant, and their return is sure to shake up the current meta significantly. Fracture’s unique dual-sided attacker entry design forces teams to rethink their default setups, while Lotus brings its iconic triple-site layout back to the competitive stage.
Lotus A-Site Gets a Makeover
Alongside Lotus’s return, Riot has shipped several targeted changes to A-site to address long-standing frustration points. The development team noted they are “happy with where Lotus is at” overall, but made surgical improvements to reduce weapon spam and give attackers a better fighting chance off the barrier.
Here is a breakdown of what changed on Lotus:
- Attacker lobby wall thickened – removes wall penetration off barrier drop
- Jump up to Vines repositioned – gives attackers a cleaner path out of lobby and helps avoid utility dumps
- Tree room wall reinforced – removes another wall penetration angle
- Extra room added outside A-site stairs – gives defenders a better hold position further back from rubble
- A-site plant zone changed – you can no longer plant for the breakable/link positions
New Agent: Miks, the Sonic Controller from Croatia
Patch 12.05 also brings Valorant’s newest Agent to the battlefield: Miks, a Controller from Croatia who channels pure sound energy. His abilities are built around boosting teammates and controlling the battlefield through sonic waves – making him the ultimate team-oriented Agent.
Miks Ability Kit
- Harmonize (Signature) – Target an ally and activate a Combat Stim on yourself and that ally, which refreshes with each kill. ALT-FIRE to grant Combat Stim to yourself only.
- M-pulse – Toggle between Concuss and Healing outputs, then throw a device that sends out sound waves to either concuss or heal nearby players.
- Waveform – Use a Map Targeter to set locations, then ALT-FIRE to spawn Smokes at your chosen spots.
- Bassquake (Ultimate) – Unleash a forward Sonic Radiance blast that knocks back, Deafens, and Slows all players caught in it.
Miks is designed to reward coordinated teamplay, and his arrival is expected to open up new possibilities in the Controller space – especially alongside the nerfs to Clove and Yoru below.
Agent Balance Updates
Yoru – Nerfs
Yoru was deemed too dominant at high ranks and pro play, crowding out the viability of flash Initiators and even some Sentinels. His two strongest tools have been tuned:
- Gatecrash: Duration beacon is active reduced from 30s → 15s
- Blindside: Charges reduced from 2 → 1
Clove – Nerfs
Clove has maintained an ever-present pick rate since launch with a higher-than-average win rate. With Miks now entering the Controller space, Riot wanted to diversify options:
- Ruse: Smoke duration reduced from 14s → 6s (when cast while dead)
- Meddle: Area of effect reduced from 6m → 4m
Skye – Adjustment
- Guiding Light: Added 60-second cooldown (previously no cooldown at this charge level)
Breach – New Voice Lines
Breach has received new voice lines to freshen up his in-game presence.
New Limited Time Mode: Knockout
A brand new Limited Time Mode has arrived with Patch 12.05: Knockout. This round-based tactical elimination mode features a unique resurrection mechanic – every kill you get brings back a fallen teammate. It’s chaotic, strategic, and incredibly fun.
- 5v5 on TDM maps with a center-line dividing territories
- Eliminating an enemy resurrects a teammate (delay scales with round length)
- Capture orbs to shift the territory line, gain health, and earn ultimate charges
- No economy – choose your loadout each round from escalating weapon offerings
- Rounds last 3 minutes, first team to 4 rounds wins
- Match length: 8–15 minutes
Note: All Random One Site (AROS) and Skirmish: 2v2 are being removed from the queue with this patch.
Win Riot Access Codes Up to $170 with Buff!
While you’re diving into the new patch with Lotus and Fracture back in rotation, don’t forget that Buff is running an in-app raffle where you can win Riot Access Codes worth up to $170. This is a raffle-only campaign – completely inside the Buff app, no banners.
- 🎟️ In-app raffles for Riot Access Codes up to $170
- 🎮 Just play Valorant with the Buff app active to earn entries
- 🔥 New users get x5 entries to boost their chances
- ⚡ Exclusive to Buff app users – available now
Download the Buff app and start playing Valorant today to be in with a chance to win!
Patch 12.05 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful updates in recent Valorant history. With Lotus and Fracture returning to competitive, a new Agent in Miks, major meta shifts thanks to Yoru and Clove nerfs, and the exciting Knockout LTM – there’s never been a better time to drop back in. And with Buff’s raffle running, you could literally get paid to do it.
Good luck on the battlefield, and may the RNG gods bless your raffles!
Share this:
