When Does Valorant Episode 8 Start?

Valorant Episode 8 is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, with fans eagerly waiting to see what new content and features will be added to the game. The release date for Episode 8 has been a hot topic among the community, with many speculating when it will finally drop. Fortunately, the wait is almost over, and players can expect the new update to arrive very soon.

According to various sources, including GGRecon, Dotesports, CharlieIntel, Turtle Beach Blog, and Sportskeeda, Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 is set to begin on January 10, 2024. The update is expected to go live at 12 AM GMT / 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT, which is the usual time for updates in the game. While servers usually go down for maintenance around the same time for each new VALORANT Episode, they don’t always come back online immediately. Therefore, players are advised to be patient and keep an eye on official announcements from Riot Games.

The new update is expected to bring a host of new features and content, including a new weapon and changes to existing agents. Additionally, players can look forward to new skins, maps, and other exciting additions to the game. With the release date for Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 just around the corner, fans of the game are eagerly counting down the days until they can dive into the new content.

Valorant Episode 8 Release Date

Valorant Episode 8 is set to release on January 10, 2024, as confirmed by Riot Games in their official blog post. The new episode will bring exciting new features, including a new weapon, Battle Pass, and Agent changes. The update is expected to go live at 12 AM GMT / 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT, which is the usual time for updates in the game.

According to the in-game timer, Episode Eight, Act One will start on Jan. 9, 2024, for the Americas region, a few hours after the long-running Episode Seven, Act Three ends. The server downtime is estimated to begin at 10 PM GMT (5 PM ET, 2 PM PT), although this is subject to change. While servers usually go down for maintenance around the same time for each new VALORANT Episode, they don’t always come back online immediately.

Players can expect a few hours of downtime before the new episode is available to play. It’s worth noting that the exact time of the server maintenance may vary depending on the region. For example, in North America, servers will go down for maintenance on January 9, 2024, at 06:00 PDT. Since this is a new Episode with many updates, players can expect this maintenance to last for some time.

Overall, players can look forward to the release of Valorant Episode 8, bringing new content and improvements to the popular tactical shooter game.

How to Prepare for Episode 8

As the release of Episode 8 of VALORANT draws closer, players are eagerly anticipating the new content that will be added to the game. However, before diving into the new episode, it is important to prepare your game and system to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are a few tips to help you get ready for Episode 8.

Update Your Game

The first step to prepare for Episode 8 is to ensure that your game is up to date. This can be done by checking for updates in the game launcher or through the game’s website. It is important to have the latest version of the game installed to avoid any compatibility issues or bugs that may arise.

Check System Requirements

Another important aspect of preparing for Episode 8 is to check your system requirements. The new episode may introduce new features or graphics that require more processing power than previous episodes. It is recommended to check the minimum and recommended system requirements and ensure that your system meets or exceeds them. This can help avoid any performance issues or crashes during gameplay.

Here is a table summarizing the minimum and recommended system requirements for VALORANT:

System Requirements	Minimum	Recommended
Operating System	Windows 7/8/10 64-bit	Windows 10 64-bit
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo E8400	Intel i3-4150
Graphics	Intel HD 3000	Nvidia GeForce GT 730
Memory	4 GB RAM	4 GB RAM
Storage	8 GB available space	8 GB available space

By following these steps, players can ensure that they are ready to dive into Episode 8 of VALORANT and enjoy all the new content that it has to offer.

Episode 8 New Features

Valorant Episode 8 brings a range of new features to the game, including a new agent, map updates, and gameplay changes.

New Agent

Valorant Episode 8 introduces a new agent named Kuronami. Kuronami is a controller agent and is equipped with abilities that can manipulate the battlefield. Her signature ability is called “Crystalize”, which creates a crystal wall that can block enemy fire and slow down enemies that pass through it. She also has a “Crystal Cluster” ability that can create crystal clusters that can damage enemies and block their vision.

Map Updates

Valorant Episode 8 brings updates to several maps, including Breeze, Haven, and Split. The changes to these maps are designed to make gameplay more balanced and fair for both attackers and defenders. For example, on Breeze, the A site has been reworked to make it more defensible, while on Haven, the B site has been opened up to provide more space for attackers.

Gameplay Changes

Valorant Episode 8 introduces several gameplay changes that are designed to improve the overall experience of playing the game. One of the most significant changes is the addition of a new weapon called the Outlaw. The Outlaw is a sniper rifle that is designed to be a high-risk, high-reward weapon. It has a slow rate of fire, but it can one-shot kill enemies with a shot to the chest or head.

Another significant change is the addition of a new feature called the Gun Buddy Carousel. The Gun Buddy Carousel is a new way to manage and equip gun buddies. It allows players to browse through all of their gun buddies in a carousel format and equip them with just a few clicks.

Overall, Valorant Episode 8 brings a range of new features and changes to the game that are designed to improve the overall experience of playing the game.

Ranked Play Updates

Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 brings a series of changes to the ranked play system. Riot Games has made some adjustments to the ranking system to improve the experience for players. The new system will place a greater emphasis on individual performance, rather than just wins and losses. This means that players who perform well in a match, even if their team loses, will still see an increase in their rank.

In addition, the new system will also feature a more transparent rank promotion and demotion system. Players will be able to see exactly how close they are to ranking up or down with a new progress bar. This will make it easier for players to understand how their rank is affected by their performance.

To further improve the ranked experience, Riot Games has also introduced a new penalty system for AFK players. Players who leave a match early or are AFK for a significant portion of the game will receive harsher penalties. This includes longer queue times and a reduction in rank.

Overall, the changes to the ranked play system in Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 are aimed at improving the experience for players. By placing a greater emphasis on individual performance and introducing a more transparent rank promotion and demotion system, players will have a better understanding of how their rank is affected by their performance. The new penalty system for AFK players will also help to reduce the number of unfair matches and improve the overall competitiveness of the game.

Episode 8 Battle Pass

Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 is set to release on January 10, 2024, and with it comes a new Battle Pass that will offer players a plethora of rewards to unlock. As usual, the Battle Pass will be divided into free and premium tiers, with the latter requiring players to purchase it using Valorant Points.

The premium Battle Pass will cost 1000 Valorant Points, which is equivalent to $10. It will include 50 tiers of rewards, including weapon skins, player cards, sprays, gun buddies, and more. Players who purchase the Battle Pass will also receive a 10% bonus to their XP earned during the season, which will help them progress through the tiers faster.

The Battle Pass will also introduce a new skin line, which will be available exclusively to players who purchase the premium tier. The skin line will include skins for the Phantom, Vandal, and other weapons, and will feature a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic.

Players who don’t want to spend money on the Battle Pass can still earn rewards through the free tier. The free tier will include less rewards than the premium tier, but it will still offer players a chance to unlock some exclusive items.

Overall, the Episode 8 Battle Pass looks like it will be an exciting addition to Valorant, offering players a chance to earn some unique rewards while playing the game.

Community Events and Challenges

With the release of Valorant Episode 8 Act 1, players can expect new community events and challenges to participate in. These events and challenges provide an opportunity for players to earn exclusive rewards and showcase their skills.

One of the popular events in Valorant is the Battle Pass. This event offers a range of exclusive rewards such as weapon skins, player cards, and sprays. Players can progress through the tiers of the Battle Pass by completing daily and weekly challenges. The Battle Pass for Episode 8 Act 1 is expected to be released soon after the launch of the new episode.

Another event that players can look forward to is the Community Night. This event is organized by the Valorant community and provides an opportunity for players to connect with each other and play games together. Players can participate in various game modes and win prizes. The Community Night is a great way to meet new players and have fun while playing Valorant.

In addition to these events, players can also participate in various challenges such as the Spike Rush Challenge and the Escalation Challenge. These challenges offer a unique gameplay experience and require players to use different strategies to win. Players can earn rewards such as XP, player cards, and weapon skins by completing these challenges.

Overall, the community events and challenges in Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 provide an exciting opportunity for players to engage with the game and earn exclusive rewards. Players are encouraged to participate in these events and challenges to showcase their skills and connect with the Valorant community.

Developer Insights

VALORANT is a tactical first-person shooter game developed and published by Riot Games. The game has gained immense popularity since its release in June 2020. The developers have been regularly releasing new episodes to keep the game fresh and exciting for players.

With the release of Episode 7 Act 3, players are eagerly waiting for the next episode. Riot Games has confirmed that Episode 8 Act 1 will be released on January 10, 2024. The server downtime is estimated to begin at 10 PM GMT (5 PM ET, 2 PM PT), although this is subject to change.

Riot Games has been transparent about their development process and has shared insights into their decision-making. They have stated that their goal is to create a game that is both competitive and fun to play. They take player feedback seriously and are constantly working to improve the game.

In addition to releasing new episodes, the developers have also been introducing new agents, maps, and weapons to the game. They have stated that they want to keep the game fresh and exciting for players, and introducing new content is one way to achieve that.

Overall, the developers at Riot Games are dedicated to creating a game that is both fun and competitive. They are constantly working to improve the game and take player feedback seriously. With the release of Episode 8 Act 1, players can look forward to new content and exciting gameplay.

FAQs About Episode 8

Here are some frequently asked questions about Valorant Episode 8:

When does Episode 8 start?

According to GGRecon, Episode 8 Act 1 started on January 9, 2024, with server downtime estimated to begin at 10 PM GMT (5 PM ET, 2 PM PT). However, server maintenance times are subject to change, so players should stay tuned to official announcements.

What’s new in Episode 8?

Episode 8 introduces a new weapon called the Outlaw, which is a bolt-action sniper rifle. The weapon is expected to have high damage and accuracy but a slow fire rate. According to Dot Esports, the new weapon will be available for purchase in the in-game shop.

Are there any changes to agents in Episode 8?

Riot Games, the developer of Valorant, has not announced any changes to agents in Episode 8. However, players can expect balance changes and bug fixes in the update.

When does the Episode 8 Battle Pass end?

According to Charlie Intel, the Episode 8 Battle Pass will end on March 31, 2024. Players have until then to complete all the tiers and unlock all the rewards.

What’s the schedule for Valorant Premier Episode 8 Act 1?

The schedule for the featured map for each weekly match of Valorant Premier Episode 8 Act 1 is listed on Sportskeeda. The first week will feature the map Split and run from January 17 to January 21, 2024.