Valorant patch 12.03 dropped on February 17, 2026, and while it’s a compact update, it packs in some genuinely exciting changes. From a Gekko buff that changes how his kit works to a new game mode and the return of Pick’Ems for the first major international event of VCT 2026 — here’s the complete breakdown.
Table of Contents
Valorant Patch 12.03 at a Glance
| Update | Details |
|---|---|
| Gekko Buff | Mosh Pit now reclaimable; Globule timer 15s → 20s |
| New LTM: Skirmish 2v2 | No abilities, full weapons, first to 10 rounds wins |
| Masters Santiago Pick’Ems | Predictions open Feb 19 PT; earn exclusive rewards |
| Audio Occlusion Fix | Doors opening/closing now affect sound travel |
| Replay Update | Option to skip dead player spectating added |
| APAC MFA Requirement | Ascendant+ & flagged accounts need Riot Mobile MFA |
| New Voice Lines | Viper, Omen, and Vyse get new conversations |
Gekko Buff — Finally Fixed After Patch 11.08
Gekko wasn’t picked even once during the 2026 VCT Kickoff Pacific and Americas, while having less than a 5% pick rate in EMEA and China. Riot has responded with a targeted buff to bring him back into the meta.
The update aims to unify how all of Gekko’s abilities function, give him greater flexibility when reclaiming his Globules, and provide a slight overall increase in power. The Globule reclaim timer has been increased from 15 to 20 seconds. Most critically, Mosh Pit is now reclaimable — a change that fundamentally improves his utility uptime in both ranked and competitive play.
Skirmish 2v2 — The Most Fun You’ll Have Forgetting Abilities Exist
Skirmish was only available in custom games; however, it will now support matchmaking through a 2v2 queue for a limited period of time.
The rules are delightfully simple: no agents, no abilities, all weapons — economy doesn’t exist, so you can buy whatever you want each round. First duo to 10 rounds wins. It’s pure aim training disguised as a game mode, and the community is already loving it.
Masters Santiago Pick’Ems — Free Rewards Just for Predicting
Starting Feb. 19, you can make your picks for the Swiss Stage in-client or on the web. For the Swiss Stage, your goal is to predict which four teams will advance. To earn extra points, guess which team will complete a flawless 2–0 run. Just by participating, you’ll get the “Cachando Todo” title.
Masters Santiago 2026 begins on February 28 and runs through March 15. Lock in your picks early — and every correct prediction stacks toward bigger exclusive rewards.
Learn more about the competitive history of Valorant on the Valorant Wikipedia page.
For more Valorant patch breakdowns, VCT updates, and esports coverage, visit TechnoSports and explore our latest Valorant and esports articles for up-to-the-minute analysis.
FAQs
Q: What exactly changed about Gekko in Valorant Patch 12.03?
Riot buffed Gekko by making Mosh Pit reclaimable for the first time and extending the Globule reclaim timer from 15 to 20 seconds, giving him significantly more flexibility and utility uptime in both ranked and competitive matches.
Q: When do Masters Santiago 2026 Pick’Ems open in Valorant and what’s the free reward?
Pick’Ems predictions open on February 19, 2026 (PT) — all participants automatically receive the exclusive “Cachando Todo” title just for entering, with additional rewards tied to prediction accuracy in the Swiss Stage groups.
