Is Valorant adding a regen shield in the next update?

Valorant is getting a regen shield, and so far, fans are not happy with the potential implications. Here’s all we know about the third-level armor.

Developers of established 5v5 shooters with a strong esports presence often avoid introducing game-altering updates to prioritize gameplay stability. Valorant, however, is a young FPS that’s been out for just four years. That would explain why Riot doesn’t shy away from adding significant updates like new weapons, gimmicks, and now a third-level armor. On October 22, Riot shared a two-minute trailer for Valorant Episode 9, Act 3.

But keen-eyed players spotted a big detail in one of the short clips of a third armor in the game UI. Leakers are calling it the regen shield, which, as evident from the name, recharges after taking damage.

How does the regen shield work in Valorant?

Valorant leaks show the regen shield is a new upgraded armor that can be purchased from the shop to regain health mid-fight.

The short clip showed a player in an ongoing duel, with their health bar steadily regenerating as they fired at the enemy. This suggests that Regen Shield works passively in the background during gameplay. It appears as a third layer of protection beneath the base health and full body armor. Compared to regular armor, Regen Shield seems to recharge faster, ultimately boosting overall health.

Currently, Valorant offers two armor levels with light armor for 400 credits and heavy armor for 1,000 credits. Based on this pricing model, the regen shield could be priced steeply if it lasts the entire round, possibly over 1,500 credits. However, if it’s a one-time-use item that functions more like an ability than traditional armor, its price may be lower.

But the potential price isn’t why fans are worried about the armor. According to players, a regenerating shield belongs in games like Fortnite or Call of Duty and has no space in the fast-paced FPS genre. If it lasts throughout the round, regeneration could be an OP feature that may diminish the viability of healers in Valorant.

For this reason, many are hopeful that this feature may be limited to other modes like TDM, spike rush, and others. More will be revealed soon when Riot rolls out Valorant patch 9.10 on November 10.