Valorant: Massive Ping System Changes Coming in Patch 9.11

Riot Games is rolling out significant changes to the ping system^[1] in Valorant as part of the upcoming Patch 9.11 update. These adjustments address some of the most debated aspects of ping usage. From map-based pings to changes in smoke mechanics, players can expect a more streamlined experience when the patch drops on Tuesday.

The new update brings major modifications to how pings work in Valorant. Pings placed on the mini-map will no longer appear in the real world, eliminating exploits like pinpointing bomb locations after death. Additionally, pings in smokes will now stop at the smoke’s edge rather than passing through. A new ping sound and customization options in custom games round out these changes.

Let us take a deeper look at all these changes below:

Mini-Map Pings No Longer Visible in Real World

One of the most impactful updates is the removal of real-world visibility for pings placed on the mini-map. Previously, players could place a ping on the map, and it would show up as a marker in the game environment, often giving dead teammates a way to assist their team by highlighting critical objectives like the spike^[2].

• What’s Changing?
  Pings placed on the mini-map will no longer translate into visual markers in the game world. This prevents players from exploiting the system by marking locations for spammable walls or enemy positions.
• What Remains the Same?
  Pings will still appear on the mini-map for teammates, preserving their use as a communication tool.

Changes to Smoke Mechanics and Pinging

Another significant change involves ping behavior in smokes. Previously, players could ping through smokes, giving their team an unfair advantage by highlighting enemy positions or objectives.

• New Behavior: Pings will now stop at the edge of a smoke. If a player attempts to ping within a smoke, the marker will drop on the smoke’s edge rather than passing through. This adjustment ensures smokes retain their intended role as vision blockers in tactical play.

Struggling to win? Bad teammates?

Purchase a game with one of our PRO players.

One game

Average wait time <10 minutes

$4.00 $3.32 per game

Buy Now  - $3.32

Two games

Average wait time <10 minutes

$8.00 $3.00 per game

Buy Now  - $6.00

Three games

Average wait time <10 minutes

$12.00 $2.50 per game

Buy Now  - $7.50

Cancel

There was an error while processing your payment. Please try again later.

Cardholder's name

Email

Info

Your order will be assigned to account with this email address. If you do not have an account, it will be created for you.

Street Address

City

State

Postcode/Zipcode

Info

Estimated Competitor Price is the price our competitors would charge you for a similar boost.

Total Price:

Purchase Boost

Secure Credit & Debit Card Payments Processed by

Info

Using Stripe Inc. Payment Gateway allows us to provide our customers with an end-to-end encrypted, secure checkout experience. We will never store your card or personal data.

New Ping Sounds and Customization Options

Riot is also introducing a new ping sound specifically for mini-map pings, providing clearer audio cues for teammates. Additionally, players in custom games will have the option to revert to the old ping system, offering flexibility for different play styles or testing scenarios.

What This Means for Valorant Players

These updates aim to make Valorant’s gameplay more competitive and fair by eliminating exploits tied to the ping system. Players will need to adapt to the changes, particularly when it comes to using pings strategically during matches. By removing real-world visibility and tweaking smoke interactions, Riot is reinforcing the importance of communication and teamwork.

Related: Valorant Champions Tour 2025: Everything We Know.

The ping system changes in Valorant’s Patch 9.11 mark a significant shift in how players communicate and strategize. By addressing long-standing concerns about fairness and clarity, Riot Games is refining the core mechanics of one of its most important tactical tools. Be sure to check out the patch when it launches on Tuesday!

References

1. [1] "Ping System". support-valorant.riotgames.com. Retrieved December 07, 2024
2. [2] "Spike". valorant.fandom.com. Retrieved December 07, 2024