Riot Games released the patch notes for update 5.01 and it looks like Phoenix is finally getting some much-needed love. He has received changes to his Curveball and we can expect more changes in the future if the current set of buffs are not enough to bring him into the meta again. He has been outclassed by almost all Duelists in the game and Phoenix mains will definitely appreciate the buffs to his kit. Yoru got some changes as well which allow players more counterplay options when facing his ultimate.

Valorant patch 5.01: Agent changes

Riot Games wants to assess Phoenix in a manner such that Curveball is more competitive with the rest of the ecosystem and to get a sense for the impact of the changes. Only time will tell if the changes are enough to help him keep up with other duelists in Valorant.

Phoenix

Curveball (Q)

• Flash Max duration increased 1.1s >>> 1.5s

• Flash Windup decreased 0.7s >>> 0.5s

Blaze (C)

• Phoenix will now equip his weapon earlier if he stops bending his wall

Run it Back (X)

• Phoenix will now spawn at the marker with the amount of shields he had when the ability was cast

Yoru

Dimensional Drift (X)

• Increased duration of ultimate 10s >>> 12s

• Reduced unequip time 1.2s >>> 0.8s

KAY/0

FRAG/ment (C)

• Zone diameter reduced 10m >>> 8m

• Damage now applies without needing line of sight

NULL/cmd (X)

• Now, only allies will hear the full channel audio of reviving KAY/O, while downed. Enemies will only hear a short audio cue when the revive has started, matching a similar gameplay pattern to playing around ultimate orbs or tapping the bomb

Valorant patch 5.01: Gameplay systems

New Smurf Detection functionality (North America)

• This addition to Riot’s smurf detection systems is designed to make sure that new players are matched up with players of the correct skill level, much faster than before.

• Riot is testing this change in North America first, to make sure everything is working correctly before a global rollout ensues. Testing is set to begin this week

Improved collision behavior when walking next to or behind another player

• This should heavily reduce the amount of jitteriness experienced when moving close to your allies.

Twin Hunters in Spike Rush will now damage destructible walls

The update also has some minor bug fixes for agents and game systems.