Why did Valorant buff the already OP Ares?

Valorant patch 9.05 has brought Astra back from the dead with significant buffs, but that’s not the only update set to shake up the game as new buffs hint toward an Ares meta.

Machineguns aren’t the most favored weapons in Valorant, as they are most likely to get exploited and spammed by trolls. They are low-risk, high-reward weapons and are typically looked down upon at higher ranks. While they’re a legitimate part of the game, spamming them round after round with unorthodox strategies like camping and farming has become a frustrating trend. Now, after two years, Riot is revisiting Ares’ stats and delivering a buff.

The weapon was last readjusted in 2022 and has since remained quite stable. But, the new patch 9.05 buff will likely make it meta again.

What are the Ares buffs in Valorant patch 9.05?

After the patch 9.05 buffs, the Ares will become more lethal in situations where players can land headshots, such as in close-quarters combat or when aiming for headshots.

Valorant Patch 9.05 is shaping up to be quite a meta-shaker with major buffs and tweaks. It grants a much-needed facelift to Astra and Chamber’s toolkit while bringing the Ares back to the menu. According to the new patch update, here’s what Riot is adjusting in the Ares’ stats.

• Revert crouch benefits nerf from standard 25% back to 40%
  • Crouching is better again and is now the same as the Odin
• Headshot multiplier adjusted from 2.4 >>> 2.5
  • This makes an Ares kill in 2 headshots while within 30m when previously it would have done 144 damage

The Ares buffs mean that when crouching with the gun, the weapon’s accuracy will improve by 40%, compared to the previous 25% improvement. This change will likely make the Ares more effective in situations where players need to fire accurately while crouched, such as in long-range engagements or when trying to control recoil.

Riot nerfed the Ares back in 2022, reducing crouch benefit by a significant margin due to player complaints. However, the weapon will regain some of its lost power. Besides that, the headshot multiplier has also been tweaked a little bit, rewarding players for landing crisp taps instead of spray downs.

These changes may likely bring the Ares up there with the Odin as the top pick, as it’s also cheaper than its bigger brother.