VALORANT patch 10.06 officially launched on April 1, 2025, a date known for unexpected surprises—and this update certainly fits that theme. Riot Games has introduced a sweeping set of balance changes, headlined by significant buffs to KAY/O, along with notable nerfs to Yoru and Vyse. According to information provided by Riot, the patch will be activated in the VCT starting April 9th, aligning with Week 3 of Stage 1 in the EMEA region. Matches occurring prior to this date in other regions will still use patch 10.05.
KAY/O Returns to the Spotlight
With the ever-shifting meta, particularly after Tejo’s debut and the surge in double-duelist lineups, KAY/O had gradually faded from prominence. However, patch 10.06 is set to reposition him as a top-tier initiator. The latest changes dramatically enhance his toolkit, particularly his flash and ultimate abilities.
His FLASH/DRIVE ability now features a new mechanic: when the flash bounces, it begins a rapid 0.8-second countdown before triggering, creating a quicker and more deceptive effect. This bounce-based activation is paired with distinct audio and visual cues for better clarity.
Further adjustments include a boost to the underhand flash duration—raised from 1.25 to 1.5 seconds—and a vast increase in the range of his “flashing” voice line, now extending from 20 meters to 50 meters. Additionally, teammates will benefit from a new minimap indicator to help track flash placements. The unequip time for his flash has also been shortened from 0.85 to 0.6 seconds, allowing for faster follow-ups.
However, the most impactful upgrade lies in KAY/O’s ultimate, NULL/cmd. His ally revival time has been dramatically reduced, dropping from 3 seconds to just 1.5 seconds. This change is expected to enhance KAY/O’s value significantly during clutch situations.
Full List of KAY/O Adjustments
FLASH/DRIVE
- On bounce, flashes now begin a 0.8s windup before popping
- Unique audio and visual effects added for this windup phase
- Windup does not activate if flash is already under 0.8s from pop
- Underhand flash duration increased: 1.25s → 1.5s
- “Flashing” voice line callout range extended: 20m → 50m
- Flash unequip time reduced: 0.85s → 0.6s
- Minimap flash indicator added for teammates
NULL/cmd
- Ally revive time decreased: 3s → 1.5s
Adjustments to Yoru and Vyse
Yoru has maintained a dominant presence in competitive play, largely due to the efficiency of his Fakeout ability. In response, Riot has increased its cost from 100 to 200 credits, aiming to balance its value with its price.
Vyse also faces tuning changes. Her Razorvine duration has been reduced from 10 to 7 seconds, while her Shear ability now lasts only 6 seconds instead of the previous 8. These adjustments are intended to tone down her overall influence and create more room for counterplay.
Esports Implications
Since Tejo entered the scene, he has quickly risen to become the most-selected agent across all regions in VCT Stage 1. While the recent updates to flash mechanics may not heavily affect this trend, the shortened revive time on KAY/O’s ultimate could lead to a seismic shift in the meta.
There’s growing anticipation that this update might revive the popularity of double-initiator team compositions. Additionally, Killjoy may see an uptick in pick rate due to Vyse’s nerfs, especially considering that Tejo’s Guided Salvo can no longer disable her ultimate, making her a more viable option once again.
Learn more about Valorant and esports.