Valorant Episode 9 Act 1 – Console ranked mode, new skin bundle & Battle Pass rewards

Valorant Episode 9 is around the corner with an interesting load of new features. Among the standout features of the previous Episode, the arrival of Clove as the new Agent, the new map Abyss, and the console beta stand out. But what will Episode 9 Act 1 bring?

Here’s everything you need to know about Valorant Episode 9 Act 1.

Episode 9 start date

Episode 9 Act 1 will arrive on Valorant on June 26, 2024, at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET / 2 PM BST. Riot confirmed that the new update contents will start arriving on Wednesdays instead of Tuesdays, as was the case until Episode 8 Act 3.

Ranked Mode

Abyss will join Valorant’s ranked mode in update 9.00. This will bring the competitive map pool back to seven maps.

As if that weren’t enough, Rioters also confirmed that ranked mode will arrive on consoles at the start of Episode 9 Act 1. This means players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will be able to begin their journey to Immortal as soon as Episode 9 lands in Valorant.

New skin bundle

Riot have confirmed the arrival of the new Evori Dreamwings bundle in Episode 9. In addition to the highly anticipated skins with a theme very similar to the Star Guardians from League of Legends, this bundle includes Sprays, Player Cards, and Gun Buddies, all of which can be purchased from the in-game store.

Regarding the weapons, this new bundle will feature skins for the Odin, Vandal, Ghost, Spectre, and Melee. If you want to learn more about this new bundle, check out our Valorant Evori Dreamwings guide.

9.00 update patch notes

Riot have confirmed some adjustments on Iso (PC) and Sova (Console). The Chinese Duelist will receive a significant nerf to his [E] Double Tap, which could potentially decrease his popularity significantly in the first weeks following the patch; while the Initiator received a buff on the [C] Owl Drone’s HP.

If you want to learn more about the 9.00 update, check out the official patch notes.

Finally, it’s important to clarify that the Iso nerf will not arrive on consoles in this update, so they will wait until the 9.01 update, as confirmed by devs.

Episode 9 Act 1 Battle Pass

Riot have confirmed that Episode 9 Act 1 will receive a new Battle Pass packed with both free and premium rewards to claim as you grind with your favorite Agents. Check out the main rewards available in the Episode 9 Act 1 Battle Pass.

• Free Rewards:
  • Bubble Pop Classic
  • That’s Terrifying Spray
  • Tanghulu Gun Buddy
  • Dream Bubble Card
  • Epilogue: Bot Means Business Card
    
• Premium Rewards:
  • Convergence Phantom
  • Bubble Pop Light Stick
  • Bubble Pop Vandal
  • Bumble Brigade Bulldog
  • Home Again // Viper Card
  • Lost and Found Card
  • Power of Five Spray
  • Blinded Again Spray
  • Brimsicle Gun Buddy

The premium Battle Pass will cost 1,000 Valorant Points, just like previous passes, and players will be able to start grinding the Episode 9 Act 1 Battle Pass when it arrives in Valorant on June 26.

While you wait for the new Episode of Valorant, take a look at the crosshairs used by the pros, as well as which are the best Agents to play until the next update.