Clove Nerfs and Adjustments in Patch 10.04: Balanced Tuning or Overcorrection?

Riot Games is shaking up Valorant’s meta with Patch 10.04, delivering significant nerfs to Clove while simultaneously introducing Waylay—the game’s newest hyper-aggressive duelist. Clove’s initial release blurred the line between controller and duelist, making them a controversial pick. Now, while Clove’s offensive capabilities are being dialed back, Waylay steps in to embody relentless aggression.

Clove’s Nerfs Explained

Meddle (Q) Adjustments

• No longer detonates mid-air and will now explode 0.75 seconds after landing.
• Impact: This makes Meddle more predictable at longer ranges, giving enemies extra time to react.
• Note: The delayed detonation opens up new possibilities for strategic line-ups.

Smoke Cooldown Increases

• Cooldown increased from 30 to 40 seconds.
• Impact: Clove’s ability to provide frequent smokes is significantly reduced, making them a less reliable controller.
• Note: If both smokes are used, players will need to wait 80 seconds for a full recharge considering a standard round lasts 100 seconds before the spike is planted, this forces more careful smoke management.

Pick-Me-Up (E) Changes

• Speed boost duration reduced from 8 to 3 seconds.
• Health buff duration increased from 8 to 10 seconds.
• Impact: Clove’s ability to reposition quickly is severely limited, pushing players toward a more deliberate and calculated playstyle.

Waylay: The New Aggressive Force

While Clove is being reshaped into a more traditional controller, Waylay arrives to fill the void for players craving fast-paced aggression. Valorant’s first Thai agent is a pure disruptor, equipped with high-speed abilities like Refract (a quick dash) and Light Speed, allowing her to evade and pressure enemies effortlessly.

One of her most impactful tools is Hindering, a new status effect that punishes enemies caught in her abilities, adding an extra layer of danger to her already aggressive toolkit. With her momentum-based, high-risk-high-reward design, Waylay could directly challenge Jett’s dominance in the duelist meta.

A Shifting Meta

Patch 10.04 clearly redefines Clove’s identity as a controller rather than a hybrid. Meanwhile, Omen, Astra, and Brimstone remain the more consistent smoke providers, while Waylay’s arrival could dramatically shift the duelist landscape—especially on maps where speed and disruption reign supreme.

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Riot’s message is clear: Clove was never meant to be a duelist, and now players seeking that aggressive, in-your-face style have a new alternative. This patch isn’t just about balance—it’s about redefining roles. Whether these changes improve the game or tip the scales too far remains to be seen.