When Does Valorant Episode 8 Act 2 Start?

Valorant is one of the hottest competitive first-person shooters out there right now, and although some might say the game doesn't need anything to change, others would beg to differ. To ensure things stay fresh, Riot is coming out with another update soon with the conclusion of Valorant Episode 8 Act 1.
Today, we'll be going through everything you need to know about Valorant Episode 9 Act 2, including when it will start and some of the changes and additions that will be coming to the game along with it.

So, if you're a Valorant fan then you'll definitely want to read this to ensure the update doesn't catch you off guard. Since the new Act will also require players to play their placements again, we recommend you do the smart thing and have a pro player play your placements for you. You can even use the code "BoostToday" for a 20% discount to ensure you win the maximum number of placements.

Episode 8 Act 1 Nearing its End

Velorant is steadily approaching the second Act of Episode 8, and gamers are eagerly waiting. The first Act, released on 9th January 2024, is a success. It presented players with exciting new updates, like Omen's origin, Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), and a new sniper rifle called Outlaw.

It has been two months, the first Act is nearing its end, and excitement is high. Act 1 was good, but players are ready for Act 2 and all the updates and stuff coming with the new battle pass. Here is everything we know so far.

When does the Second Phase of Episode 8 Start?

Gamers will be happy to know they can play the new Act soon, as it releases on 5 March 2024, less than a week away. Act 2 marks the arrival of a fresh new battle pass, map changes, skins, events, and bundles, the usual stuff. A new agent is also arriving, and the premier stage will change.

As usual, the server will experience downtime for maintenance. Downtimes usually last 3 to 4 hours, but nothing is confirmed as delay time is possible. Downtime for LATAM, Brazil, and North America will begin around 6:00 AM PT and last until 10:00 AM PT. The European users will have to wait longer as their downtime will be from 4:00 AM GMT to 8:00 AM GMT.

Valorant does not follow the basic seasonal system used by most online multiplayer shooters. It has a similar system where there are Episodes, a period that lasts six months. These Episodes consist of three Acts, each with new cosmetics and other usual updates. Each Act brings something exciting and new. 

Players are treated with new content in each Act and get the time to experience and enjoy it. Dividing the updates also ensures that the content remains relevant and exciting. Episode 8 Act 2 looks set for success as it follows the same formula. So far, it is looking good.

Agent 25 Is Arriving

The main reason for all the anticipations is the arrival of Agent 25. Most gamers refer to this mysterious new member by the code name Smoke Dancer. Additional information, revealed in the State of the Agents article on the official game website, confirms that Agent 25 is a controller and will not be available at the beginning of the new Act.

Most predictions suggest Riot Games will reveal Agent 25 during the final of VCT Master. The event will happen in Madrid on 24 March.

Premier Mode is Undergoing Significant Changes

Riot Game has made significant changes to the premier mode. Gameplay has become better due to these enhancements. Here are the updates:

• Better division placement: Immediate division placement ensures gameplay will be more fair and balanced. MMRs of the top 5 players in a team will decide their MMR range and matchups.
• Zone flexibility: Players can change their zone anytime before the first match of their stage.
• No more rematches: Due to rematch protection, players will no longer face off against the same opponent in a stage. This way, the matchups will remain thrilling.
• No more enrollment: Previously, players had to start at the beginning of a stage. Act 2 enables them to form a team at any point without starting at the beginning. 

These updates are a positive change as the premier mode becomes more hassle-free and

accessible.