TL;DR
- Cypher’s ultimate now completes even after death, providing crucial intel for teammates
- Gold players can queue with Ascendant friends in five-stack parties again
- Riot reversed previous rank restrictions while developing better anti-smurf solutions
- Multiple Premier and ranked bug fixes improve competitive integrity
- Haven receives visual enhancements alongside gameplay adjustments

Valorant’s latest update brings significant modifications to ranked matchmaking protocols, specifically addressing the contentious five-stack queue limitations that previously separated friends of varying skill levels.
Patch 7.07 introduces what appears to be minor adjustments that carry substantial competitive implications. The update demonstrates Riot’s evolving approach to managing ranked integrity while maintaining social play opportunities.
Earlier restrictions prevented Gold-tier competitors from joining Ascendant-ranked lobbies, creating barriers for established friend groups. This measure aimed to combat smurfing at elite levels but generated considerable community debate about accessibility versus competitive purity.
Riot has now rescinded these limitations while committing to develop more sophisticated anti-smurf mechanisms. The development team acknowledges that previous solutions created unintended consequences for legitimate players.
“We maintain that account boosting threatens competitive fairness and are crafting sustainable solutions that preserve your ability to team up with friends in coordinated five-player formations,” Riot’s official statement clarified.
Effective immediately with patch 7.07, Gold-ranked individuals can reunite with their Ascendant companions when assembling complete five-stack teams.
This policy shift recognizes smurfing as an ongoing challenge while assuring players that Riot is engineering comprehensive fixes that won’t penalize authentic competitive enthusiasts.
Cypher’s Game-Changing Ultimate Buff
The Moroccan intelligence specialist receives meaningful quality-of-life improvements in Valorant’s 7.07 update. Previously, Cypher’s ultimate ability became useless if he died during activation, creating frustrating wasted opportunities.

Cypher’s Neural Theft will now persist through death, continuing to expose enemy positions on tactical displays even after the sentinel falls. This allows allies to capitalize on Cypher’s sacrificial plays, transforming previously wasted ultimates into valuable intelligence gathering.
While this modification might appear subtle initially, it fundamentally alters how teams utilize Cypher’s reconnaissance capabilities in clutch situations. The change encourages more aggressive ultimate usage since the risk of complete waste is eliminated.
Advanced Cypher mains should now consider deploying Neural Theft in riskier scenarios, knowing the intelligence will benefit teammates regardless of survival. This adjustment could significantly influence professional strategies and ranked meta compositions.
Beyond the headline changes, patch 7.07 addresses numerous technical issues within Premier mode and standard ranked matches. These corrections enhance competitive reliability and matchmaking consistency.
Haven undergoes visual refinements that improve gameplay clarity while maintaining the map’s distinctive aesthetic. These environmental upgrades help competitive players make quicker, more accurate decisions during intense engagements.
The combined adjustments create a more polished competitive environment while giving Cypher mains new strategic tools to master. Players should anticipate meta shifts as professionals integrate these changes into their tactical frameworks.
Action Checklist
- Test Cypher’s post-death ultimate in custom games to understand new timing windows
- Reorganize five-stack teams to include Gold-Ascendant combinations
- Practice aggressive Neural Theft placements that previously carried excessive risk
- Explore Haven’s visual changes to identify new sightline advantages
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Valorant patch 7.07 reverts anti-smurf rank restriction, buffs Cypher Valorant patch 7.07 brings crucial Cypher buff and ranked queue adjustments that reshape competitive play
