VALORANT patch notes 12.03 reveals Skirmish 2v2 and Gekko buffs

VALORANT patch notes 12.03 have revealed a brand new limited-time mode known as Skirmish: 2v2, an replace to the Esports Hub, and stability adjustments to Gekko.

Along with this, Riot Cellular multi-factor authentication (MFA) will even be rolling out within the APAC area with this replace. 

VALORANT patch 12.03 is scheduled to launch on February seventeenth, and followers can take a look at every little thing it has in retailer under.

Skirmish has been well-received by the neighborhood and has additionally been used throughout the map choice course of in VCT matches. The mode was solely out there in customized video games; nevertheless, it should now assist matchmaking by way of a 2v2 queue for a restricted time frame.

The aim will stay the identical, which is to race to 10 rounds with skills disabled. That mentioned, gamers will be capable of select their weapon every spherical with out worrying in regards to the economic system.

All three Skirmish maps – Skirmish A, Skirmish B, Skirmish C – shall be out there within the 2v2 model, although will probably be chosen randomly.

Gekko was beforehand nerfed in VALORANT patch 11.08, and in accordance with Riot Video games, participant suggestions urged the agent had turn out to be considerably weaker in comparison with different initiators.

This was evident from the truth that the agent wasn’t picked even as soon as throughout the 2026 VCT Kickoff Pacific and Americas, whereas having lower than a 5% decide price in EMEA and China.

Consequently, the writer has buffed Gekko barely to “unify the ruleset for a way all of Gekko’s skills work, give him extra flexibility in reclaiming his Globules, and supply a slight energy buff total.”

That mentioned, Gekko remains to be anticipated to have a tough time discovering its place within the present meta.

Beginning with patch 12.03, gamers within the APAC area who’ve been flagged for account sharing, together with these ranked above Ascendent, must allow MFA to play Ranked. Furthermore, participant stats will even be accessible on the Esports Hub Groups web page.

Earlier than the highest 12 groups from internationally battle at Masters Santiago for the primary worldwide VCT trophy of the 12 months, followers will be capable of submit their predictions to win unique rewards.

From February nineteenth, head to the Esports part in-game or the official VCT Decide’Ems web site to finalise the predictions. Relying on the participation and match outcomes, the next objects shall be awarded:

VALORANT Masters Santiago will run from February twenty eighth to March fifteenth, and all matches shall be streamed stay on VCT’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.