Astra Returns Stronger in VALORANT Patch 9.05 – Buffs Bring Her Back to the Game

With the VALORANT Patch 9.05 update, Astra has reclaimed her spot in the spotlight, and fans of the cosmic Controller are thrilled to see her return to form. This update delivers long-awaited buffs, with Controller mains celebrating what feels like a return to Astra’s “glory days.”

 

Astra’s Rise (and Fall) in the VALORANT Meta

Astra’s pick rate dropped dramatically after the brutal nerfs she received in Patch 4.04 in 2022. One of her stars was removed, and her cooldowns were increased, making her less viable. These changes gave agents like Omen and Viper room to shine. But with the new update, Astra has regained her fifth star, which opens up more tactical options, giving her the flexibility to compete with her fellow Controllers once again.

The Buffs that Bring Her Back

 

Astra's fifth star lets her balance aggression and support more effectively. In this new version of the agent, she can deploy smokes early and keep stars available for crucial late-round plays. With all of her cooldowns still intact, her return has made long-time Astra players—and pros like Boaster, captain of Fnatic’s VALORANT roster—excited to revisit their favorite tactical agent.

Astra vs. Omen and Clove

While Omen and the new Controller, Clove, both have five rechargeable smokes, Astra has more versatility. She doesn’t just smoke—she can also stun, pull, and reposition opponents. This makes Astra a more complex, but potentially game-changing, agent in a coordinated team. Her stars give her the ability to control the map from any point, offering more strategic depth for in-game leaders.

 

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Astra Shining Again in Team Play

Astra thrives in coordinated gameplay, allowing IGLs to get creative with fake-outs by recalling stars. In scenarios like a B site rush on Ascent, Astra can smoke off defenders, stun chokepoints, and disrupt retakes with her pull ability. With the extra star, she now has more room to make impactful plays, slowing down enemy pushes and supporting her team more effectively.

The VALORANT Patch 9.05 update has given Astra a new lease on life, and it’s no surprise that players are racing to instalock her in their games. She’s ready to dominate again with her unique blend of map control and team utility.