VALORANT Patch 10.08: Gifting Arrives, Agent Tweaks & Classic Tunes

VALORANT Patch 10.08: Gifting, Agent Changes, and a Blast from the Past 🎶

Ready to flex on your friends with a surprise skin drop? Or maybe you’re just here for the sweet, sweet nostalgia of Episode 1’s iconic menu music? Either way, VALORANT Patch 10.08 is here, and it’s packing more than just bug fixes. From long-awaited gifting features to meta-shaking agent tweaks, this update is a love letter to both new and OG players. Let’s break down what’s hot, what’s changed, and why you should care.

Welcome to Act III: Patch 10.08 Drops with a Bang

VALORANT’s fifth anniversary is in full swing, and Riot isn’t holding back. Patch 10.08 launches Act III of the 2025 season, and it’s not just another routine update. Whether you’re a ranked grinder, a skin collector, or just vibing to the music, there’s something here for everyone.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Gifting is finally live – send Featured Store bundles and items to your squad
Agent balance changes for Brimstone, Astra, and Yoru
Classic Episode 1 music returns for a limited time
Map rotation shakeup: Sunset is back, Fracture is out
Bug fixes galore (Vyse mains, you’re eating good)

🎁 Gifting in VALORANT: How It Works & Why It’s a Game-Changer

Let’s be real: we’ve all wanted to flex a new skin on our friends, or maybe just say “thanks for the carry” with a little in-game gift. Now you can. Here’s how gifting works in Patch 10.08:

How to Gift in VALORANT:
1. Head to the Store
2. Open the details page for the Featured bundle or item
3. Smash that Gift button in the bottom-right
4. Pick your lucky recipient (note: some restrictions apply)
5. Choose to gift the full bundle or just select items
6. Send it off and wait for the hype reaction

Your friend will get a prompt to accept or decline the gift next time they log in. For now, gifting is limited to Featured Store items, but Riot hints at broader support in future patches. Want the nitty-gritty? Check out the official Player Support site for all the rules.

Pro Tip: Planning to grind ranked with your duo? Surprise them with a bundle and lock in those good vibes. #SquadGoals

Agent Updates: Meta Shifts & Quality-of-Life Buffs

Patch 10.08 isn’t just about cosmetics. Three agents are getting notable changes that could shake up your ranked games:

Brimstone

Incendiary (Molotov): Audio is now easier to hear, especially under smokes. No more sneaky mollies catching you off guard!

Astra

Nova Pulse: Stun duration reduced from 4s → 3.5s. This brings Astra in line with other non-ultimate concusses and dials back her crowd-control power.

Yoru

Dimensional Drift (Ultimate):
- Duration reduced from 12s → 10s
- Point cost increased from 7 → 8
Translation: Yoru’s ult is still a threat, but you’ll need to work harder (and smarter) to make those big-brain plays.

Expert Take: These tweaks are all about clarity and balance. Brimstone’s molly is less “silent but deadly,” Astra’s CC is less oppressive, and Yoru’s ult is now more in line with other high-impact abilities. Expect to see some shifts in agent pick rates, especially in competitive play.

Map Rotation: Sunset Returns, Fracture Benched

Map pool changes always stir up the community, and this patch is no exception:
– Sunset is back in Competitive and Deathmatch queues
– Fracture is out (for now)

If you’ve been missing those Sunset executes or just want a break from Fracture’s chaos, now’s your time to shine. For more on map rotations and what’s coming next, check out What Maps Are in VALORANT Episode 9 Act 1? on early.gg.

Ranked Gun Buddy: Last Call to Flex Your Rank

Act III is your final shot to climb before ranked gun buddies are handed out in Patch 11.00. Your highest rank across the first three acts of 2025 determines your reward. So if you’re hovering between ranks, now’s the time to lock in those wins.

Bug Fixes & Known Issues: Vyse, Deadlock, and More

Patch 10.08 comes with a laundry list of bug fixes, especially for agents like Vyse, Deadlock, and Tejo. Here are some highlights:

Vyse: Fixed cooldown and visual bugs on Arc Rose and Shear wall
Deadlock: Barrier Mesh now plays hit audio and can’t be used for boosting
Tejo: Stealth Drone can’t be boosted on or evade Cypher’s camera anymore
Yoru, Skye, Gekko, Reyna, Iso: Various ability and tooltip fixes

Known Issue: Some Player Cards in the Act III Battlepass are showing the wrong item name. Riot promises a fix in Patch 10.09.

Premier & Platform-Specific Updates

Premier Stage V25A3 kicks off May 7, with new eligibility rules for disruptive players (severity-based bans instead of a flat 30 days)
PC: Minor UI tweaks for Rank Shields
Console: Fixed overlapping player names and clarified rank requirement text

Nostalgia Overload: Episode 1 Music Returns

Feeling sentimental? For VALORANT’s fifth birthday, classic Episode 1 music is back in menus, character select, and victory/defeat screens. It’s a limited-time throwback, so soak up those OG vibes while you can.

Final Thoughts: Patch 10.08 Is a Win for Players

VALORANT Patch 10.08 isn’t just another update—it’s a celebration of the community, a nod to the game’s roots, and a step forward for quality-of-life. Whether you’re gifting, grinding, or just grooving to the old-school soundtrack, there’s never been a better time to log in.

What’s your favorite part of Patch 10.08? Hit us up in the comments or tag @earlyggcom with your best gifting moments and agent plays. GLHF, and see you in the queue!

Banner image alt text: VALORANT agents celebrating Patch 10.08 with gifting and classic music vibes.
Agent update image alt text: Brimstone, Astra, and Yoru icons highlighting their latest changes.

VALORANT Patch 10.08: Gifting Arrives, Agent Tweaks & Classic Tunes