Phoenix Buff and Smurf Detection System – All highlights in Valorant Patch 5.01

In the latest Valorant Patch 5.01, Riot Games has finally buffed the overall kit abilities of Phoenix after much demand from the community. Phoenix has been the weakest Duelist in the Valorant roster for quite some time, and his buff brings more variety in selecting team compositions. Apart from that, the developer has also announced the introduction of a new anti-smurf detection feature to curb the number of increasing smurfs in Valorant.

All major highlights from Valorant patch notes 5.01

All Agent Changes in Valorant patch 5.01

Phoenix has received an overall kit change, while Yoru and KAY/O got minor buffs to improve their pick rate.

Phoenix

• Curveball: The flash duration has increased from 1.1 seconds to 1.5 seconds. Also, the windup time to flash has decreased from 0.7 to 0.5 seconds.
• Blaze: Can equip weapon much faster after bending walls.
• Run it Back: After the completion of his ultimate, he will regain the same amount of shields and health as when he initiated the ability.

Related: How to surrender a game in Valorant

KAY/O

• Fragment: Reduced the diameter of balls from 10m to 8m, and the damage applies without the need for sight.
• Null CMD: Enemies can now only listen to the starting audio queue while reviving. Allies can hear the entire revival audio sequence. 

Yoru

• Dimensional Drift: Elongated the duration of ultimate from 10s to 12s. Also, reduced the initiating time was from 1.2s to 0.8s.

All system & quality of life updates in Valorant patch 5.01

• Introduction of a new anti-smurf detection system to the base game. The feature will be first tested on the NA servers beginning July 11, 2022, before expanding to other regions. 
• Enabling Raw Input Buffer no longer causes random scrolling inside the chat box.
• The Twin Hunter's ability in the spike mode will now cause damage to walls as well.

Apart from these changes, the developers have fixed several existing bugs from a gameplay and performance standpoint. The full patch notes are provided on the official PlayValorant website.

For more on Valorant, check out What does NT mean in Valorant? or How to Make a Square/Box Crosshair in Valorant on Pro Game Guides.