Bind will be back via patch 6.08 with some changes

As announced, Bind and Breeze have been removed from the map pool via patch 6.00. Riot Games gave no indication that they would return to the game. The wait was finally short-lived, as Bind's return has just been unveiled on the game's social networks. It will be accessible again in ranked games from 25th April, at the same time as the 6.08 update. This famous desert map has obviously undergone a small facelift, which we will present to you in this article.

Bind was one of the maps available at the launch of Valorant. Since then, the map has changed a little bit, especially in terms of the short A zone. However, the changes made by patch 4.00 were not very substantial.

In early December 2022, Riot Games announced the return of Split, which has been withdrawn for several months. At the time of this announcement, the studio also mentioned the future withdrawal of two maps, namely Bind and Breeze. According to Joe Lansford, Level Designer for Valorant, the teleporters from the first one were on the developers' radar. It is therefore not surprising to see that one of the two teleporters has been moved in the new version unveiled on Twitter.

This is of course not not the only change made, as you will see in the next section.

Changes to site A

Site A and its surroundings have undergone many changes. While some of these changes are small, but still impactful, others are quite visible, starting with moving the exit of the teleporter between B and A's bathroom.

This exit has been moved closer to the bathroom entrance, which should make its use more complex. Previously, players who used it to rotate did not take much of a risk; now they will have to make sure that no opponent is waiting for them. The old exit door has been closed and replaced by a shop.

In addition, the right angle, and particularly raw, present in this area has been softened. With the new angle of view it offers, players will have to be even more careful.

The bathroom also has some changes, in connection with the teleporter move. We mentioned earlier that a player may be waiting for the teleporter users, and not for nothing. The sunken bathroom now looks long ; this results in a shortening of the large block at the entrance. As a result, players lurking there are even closer to the teleporter. However, this same recess has become narrower, which should make it easier for attackers to dislodge the person in it.

The developers are also taking advantage of this 6.08 patch to modify the exit on site A. While this is essentially an external makeover, you will also notice that the door has been widened. As a result, the small corner is much smaller. This area was very popular with attackers, as it provided a safe haven in critical situations. This change will certainly require review the way in which the attack is carried out by the bathroom.

The design team did not stop there. Changes on the site itself were made, in the area near the Tower of A and in the area of the radianite boxes. These changes are not without consequences, on the contrary.

For the rear area of site A, we now have a kind of tank in the recess. This should allow the middle A area to be seen, by climbing on it. We'll see it later in the article, but note now that a new box hides the line of sight available so far.

The other change concerns an angle, which offered a temporary hiding place in some cases; it is much less consistent with the change made. It will therefore be more difficult to use as a hiding place of an enemy coming from site B.

As mentioned above, there is one final change, this time at the level of the boxes. In reality, it is one of the boxes on the second floor which was lowered to the floor. This rearrangement offers more possibilities for the attackers to plant the Spike, as the area seems to be enlarged. In addition, the double floor box creates a very good protection; a real reward for going through a more dangerous bathroom than ever before.

Changes to Site B

Site B has not been modified as much as the other site on the map. The gateway to site A on the defenders' side is enlarged. The developers have removed the small edge on the right. While seemingly innocuous, this change could greatly facilitate the insertion of defenders in a retake, providing more visibility quickly.

As for the second change, we will have to wait until we can test the map to be sure of its function. It appears that an opening has been added to one of the walls of site B. If it connects the corridor to the site, players could use it to throw Raze grenades or Skye birds, which would disorientate an attacker on the site or a defender stuck in the corridor. Suspenseful then...

As a reminder, these changes will be effective from next 25th April in competitive mode, at which time patch 6.08 will be implemented in Valorant. However, they will already be available in the other modes earlier this month, at the same time as patch 6.07.