VALORANT Patch 13.06: The Warden Rifle, Gauntlet Mode, and Agent IDs
Sep-19-2026 PST
What Is VALORANT Patch 13.06?
VALORANT Patch 13.06 is the update Riot Games describes as the largest the game has received in 2026. According to Beebom, the patch is scheduled to go live on September 22, 2026, as a free automatic update for all players.
Riot framed the scale of the drop in its official Dev Updates video. "In Patch 13.06 we're going big. REAL big," reads the caption for the video, which mxdwn Games reports promises an "insane new mode, [a] new rifle, [and] new systems."
The five-minute video is hosted by ten members of VALORANT's development team, opening with a conversation between Head of VALORANT Studio Anna Donlon and Executive Producer Andy Ho. Donlon remarks that "Miks is dope, Summit is beautiful, we've tried out a bunch of new modes" before announcing that this time she wanted to "go big."
The announcement covers four headline additions: the Warden rifle, a new drafting-based game mode, a new Agent progression system with customizable Agent IDs, and new competitive rewards tied to Act 5 and V27.
When Does Patch 13.06 Release?
Both media sources reporting on the patch agree on the release timing. Beebom states that "the update arrives on September 22," while mxdwn Games specifies that Patch 13.06 will release "to players for free on September 22, 2026, as an automatic update."
The same week also brings VALORANT's console expansion in Oceania. According to Riot's official announcement, VALORANT will arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Australia and New Zealand on September 23.
Riot lists the console launch in Australia and New Zealand among the contents of the patch cycle in Beebom's patch notes coverage. The console server goes live from 10AM AEST on September 23, with local timezone times published for each region:
- New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania: 10:00AM AEST
- South Australia, Northern Territory: 9:30AM ACST
- Western Australia: 8:00AM AWST
- New Zealand Mainland: 12:00PM NZST
- Chatham Islands, New Zealand: 12:45PM CHAST
What Is the Warden Rifle?
The Warden is a new core rifle coming in Patch 13.06. It is introduced in the Dev Updates video by Game Designers Dan Hardison and Sherry Fan, as reported by mxdwn Games.
The designers confirm the Warden will be "the same tier as the Phantom and Vandal," but describe it as significantly more powerful and "more impactful on buy rounds." This positions it alongside the game's two most-used full-buy rifles.
The rifle has a distinct role profile. According to the announcement, the Warden "works best at high angles, offering players an option other than a Sniper." That gives players a new tool for holding elevated positions without committing to a sniper-class weapon.
Beebom's patch notes coverage also lists the Warden rifle among the headline additions of Patch 13.06, alongside the new game mode and progression system.
How Does the New Robo-Agent Game Mode Work?
Patch 13.06's new mode is described by Riot as "unlike any other." It is introduced in the Dev Updates video by Project Manager Armand Asdourian and Game Designer Ryan Cousart, with Donlon and Ho present.
The format is a tournament: "eight teams of two fight it out in a tournament style round robin, until only one team remains," according to the announcement as reported by mxdwn Games.
Instead of choosing Agents as in standard VALORANT, players "create a hybrid Robo-Agent of [their] own by drafting from a random assortment of abilities and upgrading the ones that match [their] play style."
The mode also includes a twist mechanic. Players may encounter glitches during matches that have the potential to temporarily change their Robo-Agent's abilities.
Beebom's patch notes coverage refers to this experimental addition as the Gauntlet game mode and lists it among the patch's major features.
What Is the New Agent ID Progression System?
Game Designer Eric Hankins introduces a "brand new progression system with a customizable new Agent ID" in the Dev Updates video.
According to mxdwn Games' report, the Agent ID rewards players for their time spent playing as a specific Agent, as well as their achievements with that Agent. This gives each Agent its own dedicated progression track.
The announcement positions Agent IDs alongside the new mode and rifle as one of the core systems additions of the patch. Riot has not detailed the full reward structure for Agent IDs beyond what was shown in the video.
On the Agent roster itself, the development team confirms that nothing noteworthy will be added to Agents in Patch 13.06. However, they tease that something could be added to Miks after the Champions event ends in mid-October.
What Competitive Rewards Arrive in Act 5 and V27?
VALORANT's competitive team announced new opportunities for players to "track [their] journey" and "showcase [their] achievements" in Act 5 and V27, as reported by mxdwn Games.
The new rewards include an evolving competitive coin described as a "flex" that "upgrades based on rank achievements throughout the year." The coin evolves as players hit rank milestones across the competitive year.
These competitive additions are part of the same Patch 13.06 release on September 22, 2026. They sit alongside the Agent ID progression system as the patch's two major systems-level additions.
The announcement did not enumerate every reward tier or the full list of competitive features coming in Act 5 and V27.
VALORANT Patch 13.06 at a Glance
The table below summarizes the major confirmed components of the patch and its rollout, based on the supplied sources.
| Feature | What It Is | Key Detail | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warden rifle | New core rifle | Same tier as Phantom and Vandal; works best at high angles | Patch 13.06, September 22, 2026 |
| Gauntlet mode | 2-player tournament mode | Draft abilities onto a hybrid Robo-Agent; glitches can change abilities | Patch 13.06, September 22, 2026 |
| Agent IDs | Agent progression system | Rewards time and achievements per Agent | Patch 13.06, September 22, 2026 |
| Competitive rewards | Evolving coin flex | Upgrades based on rank achievements across the year | Act 5 and V27 |
| Console launch | PS5 and Xbox Series X|S release | Sydney server live from 10AM AEST on September 23 | Australia and New Zealand |
Beebom's coverage also mentions a revamped home screen and Practice Range access while matchmaking as part of the patch notes. Console players in Australia and New Zealand will not need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription to play.
FAQ
When does VALORANT Patch 13.06 release?
Patch 13.06 releases on September 22, 2026, as a free automatic update, according to mxdwn Games and Beebom's patch notes coverage.
What is the Warden rifle in VALORANT?
The Warden is a new core rifle at the same tier as the Phantom and Vandal. Riot describes it as more impactful on buy rounds and best used at high angles, offering an alternative to a Sniper.
What is the Gauntlet mode in Patch 13.06?
Gauntlet is an experimental mode where eight teams of two compete in a round-robin tournament. Players draft abilities from a random assortment to build a hybrid Robo-Agent, and in-match glitches can temporarily change those abilities.
Does VALORANT support cross-play between console and PC?
Xbox and PlayStation players can play together, but console players cannot join games with PC players. Riot states this decision supports competitive integrity on both platforms.
Does progress carry over between console and PC?
Yes. Players use the same account across console and PC, and Battlepass progress, recruited Agents, purchased skins, and anything else earned or purchased carries over between platforms.
Do console players need a subscription?
No. PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass provide subscriber benefits, but neither is required to play VALORANT on console.
