VALORANT Patch 13.09: Hush Arrives, Warden Feels Smoother, and Clove Slows Down

Patch 13.09 is live, with more than a new Agent

Riot published VALORANT Patch 13.09 on October 27, 2026, and describes Hush as available in game. The update also includes Warden weapon handling changes, a Clove adjustment, clearer ability language, competitive interface tweaks, and many bug fixes. That range matters because a patch can be defined by its headline character while the less visible changes affect every round. This guide focuses on what Riot actually listed, then explains which details players may want to check in the client.

Patch notes are a snapshot, not a live promise that every server or platform applies an update at the same second. If Hush or a weapon change is missing for you, confirm your client version and region before relying on a social post. Riot’s official notes are the source for the features described here. We have not measured win rates or declared a new competitive meta from a few days of play, and readers should be cautious of any headline that pretends those conclusions are already settled.

• Patch 13.09 published October 27
• Hush is live; Warden handling improved
• Clove movement bonus reduced from 15% to 10%

Hush uses telekinesis to change space

Hush is Riot’s new Duelist, introduced as an Agent from Guangdong province who can redirect combat utility in midair. Her Telekinesis passive lets her pick up weapons and, on attack, the Spike from an increased range; it also extends interaction range for switches. That can shave time from some risky moments, but it does not remove the need to control the area around an objective. Players should test the actual interaction distance in the Range and in real maps rather than infer a universal safe pickup spot.

Her Displacement can be thrown or prepared, then redirected toward the crosshair before it explodes. Riot says the blast pulls players inward and concusses them if they collide with a surface or another player. Flashbulb follows a similar throw-and-redirect pattern, flashing players who look at it when it detonates. The shared steering idea is the key to understanding her kit: timing and angle may matter as much as the initial toss. Displacement also resets every two kills according to the official notes.

Flow and Suspension make the entry more unusual

Flow creates an anchor, briefly levitates Hush if she is airborne, and then propels her toward the anchor after a delay. Suspension sends a steerable effect forward; a second input detonates it and levitates players. These abilities suggest a Duelist who can create awkward vertical angles and change an enemy’s position, but they are not free escapes from every bad fight. A delay, visible setup, and teammate positioning could decide whether a clever move becomes a clean entry or a predictable one.

The first practical lesson for new Hush players is to separate each button’s job. Learn how to redirect Displacement and Flashbulb without rushing the throw, then try Flow’s timing and Suspension’s detonation in a low-pressure environment. For defenders facing Hush, watch the projectile path and discuss who will hold which angle if a pull or levitation effect lands. None of that requires inventing hidden damage values; it is simply a way to turn Riot’s published ability descriptions into a sensible first practice session.

Warden gets a handling pass

Riot says Warden’s first bullets now have smoother pitch recoil, and follow-up shots have reduced spread. The second bullet error moves from 0.25 to 0.2, while the third drops from 0.6 to 0.5. Riot connects the change to the gun’s 2,900-credit price and says it wants the weapon to feel more versatile and comfortable to learn. Those are specific handling changes, not a blanket damage buff or a price reduction.

If you already use Warden, the best comparison is a controlled burst at the same range before and after the patch, rather than a lucky multi-kill in one match. A smoother opening string may make repeatable engagements easier, but opponent movement and your own recoil control still matter. Players who disliked the gun should give it another fair try, while remembering that a lower spread number does not automatically make it the right buy in every economy situation.

Clove’s speed bonus is smaller

Clove’s Pick-me-up movement speed bonus falls from 15% to 10% in 13.09. Riot says it was standardizing Clove’s values against similar buffs. It also changes the reward for eliminating Clove after Not Dead Yet is cast: the killer receives an ultimate point and signature refresh point. These details can affect decisions in the middle of a round, especially when a player is used to a faster post-kill reposition or an older assumption about ultimate economy.

The patch also introduces clearer terms for Haste and Snapshot. Haste now names a movement speed buff, distinct from Combat Stim, which affects fire rate, equip speed, reload speed, and recovery. Snapshot names the still-image silhouette reveal associated with effects such as Cypher’s Neural Theft or Spycam. Riot updated tooltips and passive descriptions across relevant menus, so the wording you see in the client should make it easier to understand which kind of advantage an Agent actually has.

Competitive screens and bug fixes get attention

Riot notes that Hush’s Performance Score may be uneven during the first few days while it tunes how utility use is evaluated. The update adds more end-of-game context, including PC scoreboard hover text for trades and a learn-more screen. It also gives a player’s Act Best Match greater influence on Map Rating and raises the threshold for earning the First Blood Accolade. Historic Accolade counts are unaffected, according to Riot.

The fixes list is long and specific. Riot addresses incorrect ability-map placement or multiple-charge consumption, visibility issues through barriers in the Buy Phase, Raze’s Boom Bot tracking after teleportation, Tejo effects crossing round boundaries, and more. Console players get a Miks controller-vibration fix; PC players get a cursor fix in ability maps. These corrections are easy to overlook until one has affected your match. Read the official patch notes if a particular Agent interaction has been frustrating you.

A focused first-session checklist

After updating, check that the client shows 13.09. Spend a few minutes with Hush’s redirect controls, then try Warden’s opening burst and note Clove’s changed speed. If you play Ranked, take a look at the revised Performance Score explanation instead of treating a single early Hush score as a verdict on your utility. Keep an eye on any ability interaction you previously reported as broken, and use Riot’s support channels if it still misbehaves.

The biggest headline is a new telekinetic Duelist, but 13.09 is also about making existing systems clearer and more reliable. Warden has a precise handling buff, Clove has a smaller speed bonus, and several confusing interface and ability bugs have been corrected. None of those facts guarantees the patch will feel perfect to everyone. What it does give players is a concrete set of changes to test, discuss, and compare against Riot’s published notes.