Riot Games has announced the major updates for VALORANT Patch 13.06. Scheduled for release on September 22, 2026, this patch will introduce a new weapon, the "Warden," a new mode, "Iron Gauntlet: Glitch," and adjustments to Agent progression and the Competitive progression system.
The existing Agent Gear system will be replaced by "Agent Mastery." The new system considers both playtime and match performance, divided into Act Levels that reset each Act and Career Levels that are permanently retained. The former unlocks temporary title upgrades, while the latter opens up exclusive Agent reward tracks.
Players can also earn Mastery Points based on match duration, and gain additional points based on personal performance and match results. The new Agent Identity system supports modules such as Gear poses, backgrounds, and data tracking, allowing players to customize their personal showcase content.
Agent Gear rewards already unlocked by players will not disappear, and existing rewards can still be obtained through the new system. All Agents will receive new rewards when the update goes live. After the system overhaul, unlock progress for various items will be directly tied to playtime with the corresponding Agent; if players are collecting Gear for Agents they rarely use, the deadline to unlock them using the current method is September 22.
Progression and showcase features in Competitive mode will also be adjusted. The Competitive Career page will receive improvements in a future patch, and new Competitive Showcase elements will launch at the start of the 2027 season, changing throughout the year based on player rank, with additional upgrades and new Competitive rewards unlocking each Act.
Other updates include allowing players to enter the Shooting Range while waiting in the match queue, and the console release in Australia and New Zealand. Riot Games also plans to add a new Agent after the Champions tournament concludes.