Valorant Finally Gets a Replay System
Riot Games has officially rolled out Valorant Patch 11.06, and it’s one of the most talked-about updates in recent months. At the heart of this release is a feature players have demanded for years — the Replay System. With this, players can finally rewatch their matches, analyze their performance, and relive clutch moments that often disappear once the game ends.
For now, the Replay System is available in Competitive, Unrated, Swiftplay, and Premier modes. That means casual gamers as well as professional teams will have the option to go back and study plays. Riot clarified that while the system is fully functional, it still has some limitations and will continue to evolve based on community feedback.
“Replays aren’t just about watching highlights,” said a developer note. “They’re about helping players grow, giving them a chance to review mistakes, refine strategies, and better understand the game.”
Why the Replay System Matters
This addition is more than just a cosmetic feature. Valorant is known for its tactical gameplay where even small mistakes can cost a round. The Replay System allows individuals to pinpoint missteps, track enemy patterns, and even create learning content for teammates.
Esports teams, in particular, stand to gain the most. Analysts can now dissect entire matches frame by frame, looking at rotations, utility usage, and decision-making. This could raise the level of professional play as teams will be better equipped to prepare for tournaments.
Content creators are also excited. Replays open the door to highlight reels, tutorials, and breakdowns that fans love to watch on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. In short, it’s a win for every section of the Valorant community.
Riot’s War on Bots: 40,000 Accounts Banned
Another major talking point from Patch 11.06 is Riot’s crackdown on bot accounts. According to the update, the studio has banned nearly 40,000 bots over the last six months. These accounts were primarily active in lower-ranked matches, disrupting the game’s balance and ruining the experience for genuine players.
For years, players have complained about bots inflating stats, farming accounts, or simply making matches unplayable. Riot’s mass ban wave shows a renewed commitment to cleaning up the competitive environment. With the Replay System now in place, spotting suspicious activity may become even easier.
Agent Bug Fixes: Yoru, Reyna and More
Patch 11.06 also addresses some persistent agent bugs that frustrated the community. Yoru and Reyna, for instance, had an odd glitch where their invisibility abilities would reset them to unintended positions after ending. This bug has been resolved, ensuring smoother gameplay for duelists who rely heavily on precision timing.
Other tweaks include general stability fixes and improvements to ensure that agent abilities behave consistently across different maps and scenarios. Riot emphasized that community reports played a big role in identifying these issues quickly.
Performance Enhancements: Smoother Inputs Ahead
Beyond features and bans, Riot has made a technical change that could significantly improve the player experience. The RawInputBuffer setting, which enhances input responsiveness, is now permanently enabled on PC.
During internal testing, Riot found that enabling this setting reduced input lag and improved mouse responsiveness. For competitive shooters like Valorant, where milliseconds matter, this change could make aiming feel much smoother, especially in high-intensity matches.
Console Adjustments: Some Fixes, Some Pending
Console players haven’t been left out either. The patch fixes errors in the New Player Tips system, making the onboarding process clearer for newcomers. However, Riot acknowledged that one bug still persists — dropped weapons and the Spike sometimes remain visible even when players are close but not directly facing them.
The studio confirmed that a permanent fix is coming in the next patch, 11.07, which is expected to arrive soon.
What This Means for the Future of Valorant
Patch 11.06 represents a turning point for Valorant. The Replay System aligns the game with other esports titles like CS:GO and Dota 2, which have long offered similar features. It gives Riot a stronger foothold in competitive gaming while addressing community frustration over bots and bugs.
Looking forward, the update suggests Riot is focusing on player trust and competitive integrity. By banning bots, fixing long-standing bugs, and improving technical performance, the studio is signaling that it wants to make Valorant as fair and enjoyable as possible.
For casual players, this means smoother games and fewer unfair encounters. For professionals, it’s about having the tools to push competitive play to new heights. And for content creators, it’s fresh material to engage audiences.
As the community dives into Patch 11.06, the true test will be how well these systems hold up in live environments. If early reactions are anything to go by, this update might be remembered as one of the game’s most important milestones.