Greetings, fellow gamers! This is Librarian Husky bringing you an in-depth look at the upcoming changes in patch 9.10. The changes to Phoenix and the new shield regeneration mechanics are coming with patch 9.10, not patch 9.08 as initially expected. This update includes some important adjustments, such as Phoenix’s wall now being able to go through other walls and a new recharge mechanic for his flash ability. Additionally, Phoenix now starts with 175 HP, which can be seen at the start of the patch notes.

Agent Changes: Phoenix-Specific Updates

Initially, people thought that these updates were only related to Phoenix, but after showcasing the Phoenix changes, the clip transitions to introduce a new shield regen mechanic. While the information is still limited, it is clear that Phoenix starts with 175 HP, which consists of 25 shield and 50 shield storage. When Phoenix’s shield depletes, the stored shield begins to regenerate, refilling the primary shield.

How the Shield Regen Works

Phoenix starts with 25 shield, plus an additional 50 shield in storage. If he loses his shield, the stored 50 shield will kick in. By the final frame of the clip, 25 of this stored shield will be active, and 25 will be in the regeneration phase at the bottom. Essentially, the shield is split into active and regenerating phases.

Speculation on the New Regen Shield Mechanics

At first, I thought the regeneration shield had something to do with an overheal mechanic, especially given Phoenix’s healing abilities. However, it seems that healing is still handled separately at the top of the screen, where Phoenix is healed by his wall. The shield regen is independent of Phoenix’s healing, and this clears up the confusion. It appears to be an entirely separate mechanic that got mixed in with the Phoenix changes.

Understanding the New Regen Shield: Third Slot or Replacement?

A big question arises: is this new shield regen a third type of shield in the buy menu, alongside light and heavy shields? If this is the case, the regen shield would only provide 25 active shield but store an additional 50, which would make players more vulnerable to headshots from distance. Alternatively, could this be a replacement for the heavy shield, where players now choose between light shields (25) and the additional 50 in storage?

New Shield System: Speculations and Ideas

I don’t think the regen shield is a rework of the current heavy shield, as that would make weapons like the Phantom overpowered. That would require significant adjustments to weapon damage or characteristics, which does not seem to be the case. Instead, this might be a new type of shield that players can choose to buy. Another possibility is that players could buy a heavy shield in one round, and in subsequent rounds, buy an additional heavy shield that goes into regen storage. However, this would likely have a 175 total shield cap.

Shield Regeneration and Storage System

One system that could work involves buying a light shield in one round and then a heavy shield in the next. The heavy shield would go into regen storage. If players take some damage during the round, they could refill 50 shield instead of just 25, unlike the current system where you only get the shield back after a round ends. This shield regen system could allow players to store up to 50 shield, which would be a nice alternative to buying a full shield in the next round.

Potential Problems with the Shield System

The one problem I have with this theory is that the only number shown for the shield is 25 actively being used. If this is the case, it could imply that this system is actually a full rework of the current shield mechanics. It’s still unclear how this will fully integrate with the existing system, and more details are needed to fully understand the functionality.

Meta-Changing Potential and Riot’s Strategy

No matter what, we can’t deny that these changes have the potential to significantly alter the game’s meta. It’s reminiscent of when Riot introduced the 50-credit system or reduced the credit cap from 12,000 to 9,000 — both of which had substantial effects on the economy of Valorant. Some players might argue that this new shield system could be overstated, but one thing is clear: Riot has stated they are comfortable making drastic, meta-changing updates toward the end of the year. This timing is ideal for allowing professional players to adjust before the next season.

Riot’s Approach to Updates and Patch 9.08

Patch 9.08, despite being quite substantial, didn’t receive as much attention as it deserved. Major changes were made to agents like Gecko and substantial reworks to maps such as Sunset. Despite the importance of these changes, it seems like the patch didn’t get as much hype among the community, possibly due to other updates overshadowing it.

Expectations for Patch 9.10 and the Rest of the Year

Patch 9.10 will likely come a couple of weeks after patch 9.08, marking the second half of this act. It will be accompanied by the next premium bundle and more major changes. Riot tends to position their updates around this time of year, especially since they adjust their schedules during the holiday season.

End of Year Changes and Upcoming Updates

Patch 9.10 is likely to be the last major update of the year. Riot typically goes on holiday after this, leading to a slower period throughout January. Episode 10, being the first double-digit episode, could bring about some exciting changes. However, this will likely come at the beginning of the year, when Riot is generally more cautious about making major adjustments to the game.

Challenges with the New Patch Update System

This year’s rollout of updates has been the first instance of Riot’s new patch style, which has made it harder for players to understand exactly what changes are coming. For example, skins in the game client appeared a day before they were available in the shop, and the battle pass section was released on the same day as the patch itself. Riot also released a trailer showcasing the new act, but many of the features shown in the trailer weren’t immediately available in the game, creating some confusion among players who expected everything to be in the patch right away.

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