Valorant Patch 13.04 and Act 5 Full Guide

Valorant Patch 13.04 went live on August 18, 2026, and it kicks off Season 2026 Act 5. The short version: Abyss returns to Competitive and Deathmatch, Breeze rotates out, four agents get bug fixes, and the Aeris Collection joins the store. There are no agent buffs, nerfs, or weapon changes in this update, so every shift you feel in ranked this act comes from the map swap alone. Let's follow LDShop as we break down everything Patch 13.04 changes, what stays the same, and how it affects your climb this act.

Valorant Patch 13.04 Release Date and What Changed

Patch 13.04 marks the start of Season 2026 Act 5. Unlike the last few updates, this one carries no agent buffs, no nerfs, and no weapon adjustments. Riot has kept the focus on map rotation, bug fixes, and cosmetics this time, a much quieter opener than the Act 4 update. Valorant players should not expect any shift in agent power levels from direct balance changes. Whatever shifts you notice in your games this act will come entirely from the new map pool.

Valorant Patch 13.04 Map Pool Update: Abyss Returns as Breeze Rotates Out

The headline change in this Valorant update is the competitive map swap. Abyss is back in Competitive and Deathmatch queues, while Breeze steps out of both.

Map	Status After Patch 13.04
Abyss	Added to Competitive and Deathmatch
Breeze	Removed from Competitive and Deathmatch

Abyss brings verticality and tight long range angles that Breeze never really offered. Long sightlines still matter, but players now need to account for multiple elevation levels on almost every site. Breeze rewarded flat, wide open duels where Operators dominated nearly every round. Abyss asks for more coordinated pushes and stronger communication between teammates holding different heights.

This single swap changes team building more than any agent tweak could. Duelists who thrive on verticality, along with sentinels who hold long angles well, become more valuable picks this act. Long time players may remember Abyss playing quite differently back during the Act 3 update, so do not expect the exact same lineups to carry over.

Valorant Patch 13.04 Agent Bug Fixes

Riot cleaned up a few nagging bugs tied to specific agents. None of these change ability values, but they do fix behavior that was clearly unintended.

Agent	Fix
Cypher	Spycam minimap icon now shows the correct rotation
Viper	Snake Bite equip animation no longer glitches from an enemy's point of view
Deadlock	GravNet visual effects no longer disappear after a disconnect and reconnect
Clove	Fixed a freeze and disconnect issue caused by rapidly switching between Meddle and Ruse

The Clove fix stands out here. Switching quickly between abilities was causing real disconnects for some players, which could cost an entire round or worse. If you main Clove, this patch removes one genuine source of frustration. None of these fixes touch gun balance either, so our Valorant weapon list from last patch still holds up.

Valorant Patch 13.04 Aeris Collection: Skins and Prices

Alongside Act 5, Valorant introduces the Aeris Collection, a card themed bundle built around cardistry and magic. The set includes skins for the Vandal, Bandit, Guardian, and Marshal, plus the Suit of Aeris melee weapon.

The melee is the real centerpiece here. It transforms across attacks, starting as a dagger, shifting into a sword, and finishing as a greatsword on the fourth strike. The bundle also carries a Flex accessory with a small chance to swap in Riftbound card designs, a nice touch for players who follow Riot's other titles.

Item	Price (VP)
Individual weapon skin	2,375
Suit of Aeris melee	5,350
Flex	1,375
Player card	575
Gun buddy	475
Full bundle	9,500

If you are on the fence, weigh it against how often you actually run the Marshal or Bandit. A bundle only earns its price when you use most of the guns inside it regularly. Check our guide on the best way to use Valorant Points if you want to spend smart before grabbing it. If you do decide to grab it, sorting out a Valorant top up beforehand saves you a step at checkout. The best platform to make the top-up is LDShop, it lets players top up for less and it is a great way to save money.

Valorant Patch 13.04 Premier Changes: Stage V26A5

Premier is also seeing a structural change this patch. Stage V26A5 runs for five weeks of matches instead of the usual seven, a tighter window than players have grown used to. Teams that reach a Premier Score of 450 or higher by September 20 qualify directly for Playoffs. Contender and Invite divisions still base their qualification on final standings rather than score thresholds. If Premier scoring still feels confusing, our competitive system guide breaks down how it all ties together. Squads grinding Premier this act should track their score closely, since the compressed schedule leaves less room to recover from a slow start.

Valorant Patch 13.04 Impact on Abyss: Best Agents by Role

Since Patch 13.04 carries no direct agent changes, every shift in your matches traces back to the Abyss and Breeze swap. Abyss last left the competitive pool several patches ago, and quite a few agent adjustments have landed since then, so old habits from your last run on this map may not hold up anymore.

Role	Strong Picks	Why They Work on Abyss
Duelist	Jett	Plays around cover well with her dash and updraft, and keeps herself safe on rotations
Initiator	Sova	His drone and dart cover the map's wide sightlines better than any recon tool
Controller	Astra	Global presence lets her cover both spread out sites without repositioning
Sentinel	Chamber, Sage	Chamber gets Operator value on long lanes, Sage's wall and heal hold up drawn out fights

Running two sentinels together, Chamber paired with Sage, is a viable defensive setup for teams that prefer a slower, more controlled playstyle over aggressive entries. Reyna, on the other hand, struggles here. The site spaces are too large and open for her to get consistent value as a solo duelist, so she works better as a flex secondary pick.

Expect a rougher first week or two of Abyss games as everyone relearns drop points, jump spots, and rotation timings. Accidental deaths from unfamiliar verticality are common whenever a map returns after a long absence, so take early games slower than usual.

Conclusion

Patch 13.04 keeps things simple on paper but reshapes the competitive picture through its map swap alone. Abyss brings back verticality and coordinated team play, while Breeze takes a break from ranked and casual queues. The agent bug fixes clean up real annoyances, especially for Clove players, and the Aeris Collection gives collectors a fresh premium option to consider. Premier grinders should keep a close eye on the shortened Stage V26A5 schedule too. With Champions Shanghai on the horizon, Riot has kept this patch light, but Valorant players should treat the Abyss return as the real story of Act 5's opening weeks. Sharpen your Abyss rotations early, and you will have an edge before the rest of the ranked pool catches up.