Valorant Patch 10.09: Tejo Nerfs, Breach Tweaks & Swiftplay Updates

The competitive landscape of Valorant is shifting once again. Riot Games has just dropped Patch 10.09, and it’s packed with impactful changes that will ripple through ranked ladders and pro play alike. From long-awaited nerfs to Tejo, to subtle but meaningful tweaks for Breach, and a fresh approach to Swiftplay ultimates, this update is more than just a routine balance pass—it’s a statement about the evolving meta.

But what do these changes mean for your next match? And how are players reacting to the latest adjustments? Let’s break down everything you need to know about Valorant Patch 10.09.

Tejo’s Rockets Get Grounded: Major Balance Changes

Since his debut, Tejo has been a polarizing force in Valorant. His rocket-based kit, especially the Guided Salvo, has been a game-changer—sometimes too much so. Riot’s data and community feedback both pointed to Tejo’s ability to swing rounds with minimal risk, prompting a suite of nerfs aimed at restoring balance.

Key Tejo Changes:

• Guided Salvo
  • Cost: 150 credits (now grants a free charge at round start)
  • No Cooldown: The ability no longer recharges, making each use more meaningful
  • Map Targeting Range: Reduced from 55m to 45m, limiting cross-map pressure
  • Each rocket now consumes a charge
• Stealth Drone
  • Cost increased: 300 → 400 credits
• Special Delivery
  • Cost reduced: 300 → 200 credits
• Armageddon (Ultimate)
  • Ultimate points required: Increased from 8 to 9

“We want to maintain Guided Salvo as a powerful tool, but increase the commitment so that wasted or uninformed casts are less free, and so opponents have room to iterate and try different things round-over-round.” — Riot Games

Expert Insight:

These changes force Tejo mains to think more strategically about ability usage. The removal of cooldowns and increased costs mean every rocket counts, and careless spam will be punished. Expect to see Tejo’s pick rate stabilize as players adapt to a more measured playstyle.

Breach’s Fault Line: More Counterplay, Less Frustration

Breach has always been about disruption, but his Fault Line stun sometimes left little room for counterplay. Patch 10.09 addresses this by increasing the time before detonation:

• Fault Line Detonation Delay:
  • Increased from 1.0s → 1.2s

This subtle tweak gives alert opponents a better chance to dodge or reposition, especially if they’re not caught dead-center. It’s a minor nerf, but one that could have a big impact in high-level play where every millisecond counts.

Swiftplay Mode: Ultimate Economy Rebalanced

Swiftplay has quickly become a favorite for players seeking fast, action-packed matches. However, as ultimate costs have crept up over recent patches, some agents struggled to unleash their full potential within a half. Patch 10.09 introduces a smarter scaling system for starting ultimate points:

Swiftplay Starting Ultimate Points Adjusted:

• Breach (Rolling Thunder): 2 → 3
• Killjoy (Lockdown): 2 → 3
• Viper (Viper’s Pit): 2 → 3

This change ensures that agents with high-cost ultimates aren’t left behind, making Swiftplay rounds more dynamic and rewarding for all playstyles.

Gifting Limit Doubled: Give Back // V25 Collection Arrives

In response to community demand, Riot is increasing the daily gifting limit from 5 to 10 gifts per day starting May 15. This update coincides with the launch of the Give Back // V25 Collection in the Featured Store. Not only does this let you share more with friends, but every gift from this bundle also supports charity—a win-win for the Valorant community.

Bug Fixes & Known Issues: Bolt Skinline, Omen, and More

Patch 10.09 also addresses several bugs and highlights ongoing issues:

Bug Fixes:

• Bolt Skinline:
  • A previous fix for excessive glow was reverted after testing showed no risk for photosensitive players. The glow remains as a fun Easter egg.
• Kill Banners:
  • Fixed an issue where banners for certain skins (Oni, Evori Dreamwings, EX.O, Prelude to Chaos, Mystbloom, and others) appeared smaller after the first kill.

Known Issues:

• Bolt Skinline:
  • A new bug causes Bolt skins to glow at an unacceptable brightness, potentially affecting photosensitive players and competitive integrity. A fix is planned for Patch 10.11.
• Omen’s Dark Cover:
  • Omen can currently enter smoke targeting mode, allowing dead allies to see through Viper’s Pit or other nearsight effects. This will be fixed in Patch 10.10.

What’s Next for Valorant?

Patch 10.09 is a clear signal that Riot is listening closely to both data and player feedback. The Tejo nerfs, in particular, are likely to shake up agent compositions in both ranked and pro play. Meanwhile, quality-of-life improvements like increased gifting and ultimate point adjustments show a commitment to keeping Valorant fresh and player-friendly.

For a deeper dive into Valorant’s evolving landscape, check out these guides:

• Valorant 2025 Season & Act Schedule: Key Changes and Dates Revealed
• Valorant 9.08 Patch Notes: New Map and Exciting Agent Changes!
• Unlock Every Reward in VALORANT’s Episode 9 Act 3 Battle Pass

Final Thoughts

Patch 10.09 is more than just a balance update—it’s a recalibration of Valorant’s core gameplay. Whether you’re a Tejo main, a Breach enthusiast, or a Swiftplay grinder, these changes will shape your matches in the weeks ahead. What do you think of the new meta? Share your thoughts and join the conversation with @earlyggcom.

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Images:
– Tejo and Breach artwork (alt: "Tejo and Breach receive major updates in Valorant Patch 10.09")
– Bolt skinline visual (alt: "Bolt skinline visual bug remains as an Easter egg in Patch 10.09")

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