The new year has just begun, and VALORANT is not keeping players waiting around very long for Episode 6, Act 1 – the upcoming update to Riot Games’ tactical shooter. VALORANT Episode 6 Act 1 goes live on January 10, 2023, though specific start times have not been announced and may vary from region to region.
With less than a week before the launch of VALORANT Episode 6, Act 1, let’s see what changes are coming to the game in the second week of 2023.
Enter Araxys Skins
The Araxys skin line is the “official” skin line for VALORANT Episode 6, Act 1. In addition to an otherworldly, sci-fi aesthetic, the Araxys skins also have their own levels that give players more cosmetic customization as the level up said skins.
Araxys Guns:
Level 1 – Custom model, bullets, and ADS reticle
Level 2 – Custom firing audio and visual effects (muzzle flash)
Level 3 – Custom equip, reload, inspect, and idle animations, visual effects, and audio (including firing audio)
Level 4 – Finisher and Kill Banner
Variant 1 – Purple Variant (with Purple Finisher and Kill Banner)
Variant 2 – Black/Red Variant (with Black/Red Finisher and Kill Banner)
Variant 3 – Gray Variant (with Gray Finisher and Kill Banner)
Araxys Melee Weapons:
Level 1 – Custom Model
Level 2 – Custom equip and swipe animations, VFX, and audio
Variant 1 – Purple Variant
Variant 2 – Black/Red Variant
Variant 3 – Gray Variant
For the completionists out there, the entire Araxys bundle costs 8,700 VP.
The Lost City – New VALORANT Map in Episode 6, Act 1
A new map will be coming to VALORANT in Episode 6, Act1. Lotus is a three-site map designed to look like a lost city in the Western Ghats of India. Lotus will have mechanics new to VALORANT like openable rotating doors, destructible walls, and a ‘silent drop’ that has yet to be explained further.
VALORANT Episode 6 Act 1 Battle Pass
Until things kick off on January 10, it’s hard to know the entire contents of the Episode 6, Act 1 Battle Pass, but a plethora of digital cosmetics will be included free options and purchaseable options. Some skins, gun buddies, and sprays are loosely inspired by holidays – Valentine’s Day will take place during Episode 6, Act 1 and the Shock Heart spray should help players celebrate in style. Others are pure silliness – the Nine Lives gun skins supposedly put your agent in a cat suit.
The Paid Battle Pass will cost 1,000 VP and are highlighted by the Venturi gun skin line. Riot Games has described the Venturi aesthetic as a depiction of speed, and the streamlined appearance of the guns should bring a sleek new look to some of the game’s most popular weapons.
