Just one day after VALORANT Episode Four: Disruption launched, the biggest meta shift isn't new Duelist Neon—it's the Ares surging back into prominence.
Patch 4.0 kicked things off with key nerfs to the popular Specter—including firing error on forward sprays and higher recoil multipliers when running or jumping—alongside a faster rate of fire for the Ares, making long-range and close-quarters sprays less reliable with the Specter.
These changes have elevated the Ares as the go-to for second-round and force buys at just 1,550 credits. It was already solid with its high fire rate, strong damage, excellent wall penetration, and large magazine. Now, with an even quicker fire rate and no spin-up delay, its time-to-kill has dropped dramatically.
The Valorant community is buzzing—though not entirely thrilled. Check the Valorant subreddit, and you'll find players griping that the Ares kills faster than the pricier Phantom or Vandal, each costing twice as much. This shifts second rounds into full buy rounds for both teams, win or lose.
Pros are chiming in too. A quick Twitter search for "Ares" reveals plenty: XSET's dephh IGL dubbed it "an Odin's value on steroids," while the Cloud9 sheet called it "essentially [an] mag extended Stinger." TSM Academy IGL Payen even shared a screenshot from his team's NSG tournament match, showing nine Ares in the third round.
This Ares rise echoes the Stinger meta from early 2021, which got major nerfs to fire rate and accuracy in patches 2.03 and 3.0. The weapon is no longer used much at all. If Riot nerfs the Ares, they'll hopefully strike a balance where it's viable without dominating every eco round.
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