VALORANT Patch 13.06 Adds Warden Rifle and Gauntlet Mode

VALORANT’s next update brings a new way to play, another rifle to buy, and more rewards for sticking with your favorite Agents.

Arriving on September 22, 2026, Patch 13.06 introduces Gauntlet: Glitched, the Warden automatic rifle, and Agent Mastery. Riot outlined the additions in its September 14 developer update, which also covered improvements to ranked progression and the game’s menus. Riot’s announcement summary.

Gauntlet: Glitched brings 2v2 battles and mixed abilities

Gauntlet: Glitched puts eight duos through a series of 2v2 fights. Each round pits your team against another pair. Losing costs team health, and reaching zero knocks you out. The last duo standing wins.

Matches are expected to last around eight to 15 minutes, making the mode an option when you have less time to play. You can queue alone or bring a friend.

The twist is how you build your character. Players control hybrid Robo-Agents and pick from randomized ability options between rounds. You can add abilities from different Agents or upgrade existing ones through three levels, creating combinations you would never get in a regular match.

Those upgrades can get strange. Yoru’s Fakeout can fire bullets, Skye’s Trailblazer can become a giant creature that kills in one bite, and Gekko’s Wingman can grow considerably larger. These effects belong to Gauntlet’s ability system.

The mode features four arenas inspired by existing VALORANT maps. Friends of different ranks can also team up, with Riot giving the example of a Bronze player queuing alongside a Diamond player.

Warden joins VALORANT’s rifle lineup

The Warden gives players another option alongside the Vandal and Phantom. Priced at 2,900 credits, the automatic rifle comes with a 2× scope and is designed for players who like holding longer angles while aiming down sights.

Its revealed specifications include:

The reported damage stays the same at all ranges. That gives the Warden consistent damage over distance, although its smaller magazine and slower firing rate leave less room for missed shots. Riot’s aim is to give players a rifle suited to longer sightlines without requiring them to buy a sniper.

The Warden follows January’s Bandit pistol as VALORANT’s second new weapon of 2026. Despite arriving shortly before Champions Shanghai, it will not be available at the tournament, according to Dot Esports’ report of Riot’s confirmation.

Agent Mastery adds new progression and rewards

Agent Mastery adds progression and cosmetics tied to the Agents you play. The system replaces the current Agent Gear structure and tracks progress in two ways.

Act Levels reflect your time with an Agent during the current Act. They reset each Act and unlock temporary portrait upgrades visible in Agent Select. Lifetime Levels stay with you and provide access to Agent-specific rewards over time.

Both tracks use Mastery Points, earned through time spent in matches, with bonuses based on performance and match results. Customizable Agent IDs let players display earned elements such as poses, backgrounds, and statistics.

You will keep the Agent Gear you already own. Kingdom Credits will still be used for future gear unlocks, but access to those items will depend on playing the associated Agent. If you are collecting gear for someone you rarely pick, Riot has highlighted the time before September 22 as an opportunity to finish those unlocks under the current system.

Practice Range access and future updates

Riot also announced a refreshed home screen, access to the Practice Range while waiting in the matchmaking queue, and a console launch in Australia and New Zealand. Competitive profile improvements arrive with the next patch, giving players more ways to track and display their ranked accomplishments.

Further ahead, the 2027 season will introduce a Competitive Flex reward that evolves with ranked achievements and receives additional upgrades each Act. Another Agent is also planned for after Champions, although the announcement does not provide a name, ability kit, or exact release date.

So, whether you're curious about Gauntlet's chaos or ready to try the Warden, you can put both to the test on September 22.