VALORANT's latest update puts decision-making at the centre of every fight.
VALORANT players will have a brand-new battleground to learn when Season 2026 Act 4 launches on 24 June, as Riot Games has officially revealed Summit, the tactical shooter's latest map.
The update arrives alongside Retake, a new permanent game mode focused entirely on post-plant situations, as well as the sci-fi-inspired Blackspyre Collection and a fresh Battlepass packed with cosmetic rewards.
What is Summit, VALORANT's new map?
Summit takes players to a former Radiant monastery where Sage once trained before joining the VALORANT Protocol.
Set within a Radiant training academy hidden among the mountains of China, Summit introduces a new twist to VALORANT's familiar formula. The map features two Spike Sites connected by three lanes, but its defining mechanic comes in the form of three droppable walls positioned across A Site, B Site, and Mid. Once activated, these walls fall away and remain down for the rest of the round, permanently changing how teams approach engagements, rotations, and site control.
Rather than simply contesting angles, players will need to decide when and whether to alter the map itself. A well-timed wall drop could open new attack routes, cut off defensive positions, or force opponents into less favourable engagements.
Will Summit be available in Competitive from day one?
Unlike some previous map releases, Summit will be added directly into the Competitive queue as soon as it launches on 24 June. To encourage players to learn the map without worrying too much about their rank, Riot is introducing temporary ranked protection for the first two weeks. During this period, players will lose 50% less Ranked Rating for losses on Summit while still receiving the full amount of RR for victories.
Players who want to focus exclusively on the new map will also have access to a Summit Only queue for the first seven days after launch. Matches in this queue will use the Swiftplay format, allowing players to get familiar with the map's layouts, angles, and wall mechanics in shorter matches.
VALORANT Retake mode focuses entirely on post-plant situations
Act 4 also introduces Retake, a new 3v3 mode built around one of VALORANT's most important phases. Instead of playing through an entire round, players are dropped directly into a post-plant scenario with the Spike already active. One team must defend the site and prevent a defuse, while the other attempts to break through and secure the retake.
Teams switch sides each round, while loadouts are randomly assigned and increase in strength as the match progresses. By removing the slower setup phase and placing players straight into high-pressure situations, Retake offers a faster way to practise site executions, defensive holds, utility usage, and clutch scenarios.
Blackspyre Collection and new Battlepass arrive in Act 4
Season 2026 Act 4 will also introduce the Blackspyre Collection, a new skinline that combines futuristic technology with mystical aesthetics. The collection includes weapon skins for the Phantom, Sheriff, Spectre, and Ares, alongside a new melee weapon called the Divide.
Meanwhile, the latest Battlepass will feature a range of cosmetic rewards, including the Sky Reaper Ghost, Heal Up Squad Card, Blep Spray, and additional unlockables available throughout the season.
VALORANT Season 2026 Act 4 launches on 24 June.
