Yoru and Clove Nerfs: What to Expect in Valorant Patch 12.5

Recent leaks have revealed upcoming changes for agents Yoru and Clove, set to arrive with the new act in patch 12.5, scheduled for March 18. While each agent will only receive two changes, they could significantly impact their effectiveness in the game.

Changes for Yoru

Reduced Duration of Gatecrash

The first change affects Yoru’s Gatecrash teleport. Its maximum active duration is being reduced from 30 seconds to 15 seconds.

At first glance, this seems fair. Yoru is currently one of the strongest duelists, and much of his dominance comes from map control and mobility. Reducing the active time of Gatecrash should speed up the pace of matches and limit Yoru’s presence on the map.

Reduced Flash Charges

The second change reduces the number of flash charges from two to one.

This is a significant nerf that limits Yoru’s ability to engage quickly and secure frags. Some players may feel this is a bit harsh, but it is clearly aimed at balancing his strong map presence.

Changes for Clove

Reduced Smoke Duration After Death

The main adjustment for Clove affects smokes deployed after death. Their duration will now drop from approximately 14 seconds to 6 seconds.

Standard smokes used while alive will remain unchanged. This nerf significantly lowers Clove’s impact in team fights and her ability to hold positions after being eliminated. Her Pick Me Up ability remains strong, but her overall map control will be reduced.

Reduced Radius and Area of Meddle

The second change affects Meddle: its radius is being reduced from 6 m to 4 m. This limits its control area and makes it less versatile for blocking space or dealing damage to enemies.

In the same patch, players can also look forward to the release of the new Knockout mode, adding fresh dynamics to matches, as well as the launch of the new agent Miks, whose abilities revolve around sound and music. These additions promise to diversify gameplay and introduce new strategic opportunities.

What This Means for the Game

Patch 12.5, releasing on March 18, will be significant for Yoru and Clove:

• Yoru: Reduced Gatecrash duration and fewer flash charges will limit his map dominance and aggressive potential.
• Clove: Shorter death smokes and a smaller Meddle radius will decrease her map control and team impact.

Combined with the new Knockout mode and the arrival of Miks, these changes are expected to make matchmaking more balanced and diverse, while encouraging players to take a more strategic approach to using their abilities.