Valorant’s newest patch brings heartbreaking Sage lore replace, and the rework rumors are trying extra possible

Valorant’s Sage has had a tough go of issues as of late. The ever-popular healer has reached breaking level, with the unwanted side effects of her powers now slowly turning her to crystal. Ever the consummate skilled, Sage has continued to placed on a courageous face, however within the newest patch, 12.08, a brand new voicemail despatched by her to Brimstone illustrates simply how dangerous issues have gotten. With Sage already rumored to be getting some form of rework, following a revelation from Impasse that the workforce might quickly should face life with out her revives, this contemporary replace may point out that such a change might occur sooner slightly than later.

Riot Video games loves a lore drop, and I’ve lengthy been a fan of the way it slowly evolves its narratives. From Arcane to Xin Zhao’s current League of Legends sacrifice, the studio definitely is aware of easy methods to get inventive with its storytelling. Valorant is not any exception, and the continuing crystallization of Sage has definitely stored my eyebrow raised. Within the FPS recreation’s 12.08 patch, Sage is placed on mattress relaxation by Brimstone – a call she clearly abhors.

“Brimstone, I respect your concern, however necessary mattress relaxation? We’re in disaster!” The voice message begins. “They’re placing their lives in danger with each mission, we each understand it.” Earlier than she will be able to proceed, Sage is interrupted by the rising discomfort of her ailment. Whereas she notes that “Skye has some options,” she finally provides up on attempting to steer Valorant’s commander, begrudgingly accepting that “that is an excessive amount of.”

Sage has been struggling together with her powers for fairly a while. In final June’s Why We Struggle music video, she may be seen quickly dropping management of them. Moderately than preventing on the entrance strains in January’s Why We Struggle Again season opener, she was as an alternative confined to a tank, Sova trying on in concern. Again in March, Sage’s agent mannequin was up to date, showcasing how the crystallization had unfold to her neck and a part of her face. In Patch 12.07, a message log from Impasse lamented the likelihood that Sage may quickly be with out her rez, prompting dialogue that she might quickly be in for a rework.

It is ostensibly not all doom and gloom for Sage, nonetheless. On the finish of March’s Miks agent trailer, we see Valorant’s newest addition using his musical medical talents to not solely relieve Sage’s discomfort, however we are able to additionally see a few smaller crystals on her hand falling off. It wasn’t a everlasting answer, but it surely gave hope that her situation could possibly be managed. Sadly, this newest lore snippet is indicative that this hasn’t been the case.

Sage is a part of Valorant’s launch solid, so it would not shock me if Riot felt it was time for a gameplay switch-up – she hardly ever sees professional play, in any case. That being mentioned, she’s nonetheless a preferred decide within the Valorant ranks, with an 28.47% decide price throughout all ranks in response to vstats. This drops off dramatically the upper up the ladder you go, although, so there’s each probability Riot could possibly be methods to make her extra related throughout the board. If meaning eradicating her revive, then that opens up numerous potential energy finances elsewhere in her package.

Now, I am nonetheless not totally bought on the rework principle. Sage’s situation may nonetheless very nicely be resolved, and her character mannequin finally returned to regular. Nonetheless, if the previous yr of lore teasers is something to go by, then such a revamp, ought to it materialize, would completely land with a cinematic bang.