Post by : Layla Badr
For years, players of Riot Games’ tactical shooter Valorant have been asking for one major feature — the ability to watch replays of their past matches. After nearly five years of waiting, Riot has finally answered these requests with the release of patch 11.06. This update, rolled out today for PC players, officially introduces the replay system inside the game.
While this new feature is a big step forward for Valorant, it also comes with one major limitation that has left some fans disappointed. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this long-awaited addition, the restrictions it brings, and what else is included in the new update.
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When Will Valorant Replays Be Available?
The replay system is already available for PC players starting today with patch 11.06. However, console players will need to wait until November to use it. Riot confirmed that the feature is directly built into the Valorant client. This means players don’t need extra software or downloads apart from the game itself.
To access a replay, players can go to the Match Details page or the Career section inside Valorant. From there, matches can be downloaded and reviewed at any time.
What Does the Replay System Offer?
Valorant’s replay system is designed to give players a chance to review and analyze their own gameplay. It works across several game modes, including:
Unrated
Competitive
Swiftplay
Premier
Once a replay is downloaded, it comes with multiple tools that make reviewing matches more useful:
First-person view: Watch the match from the perspective of any of the 10 players.
Third-person camera: Switch to a free-moving observer mode to see plays from different angles.
Player outlines: Highlighted outlines help in tracking movement and strategies.
Timeline navigation: Jump to different moments in the match without watching the entire replay.
Another important point is that Riot has made sure this feature does not affect the performance of the game. Players with lower-end PCs don’t need to worry — replays run smoothly without impacting FPS or gameplay.
The Big Limitation With Valorant Replays
While most fans are happy to finally get replays, there’s a major drawback that has sparked debate in the community. Currently, you can only watch replays of matches that you personally played in.
This means:
You cannot download or watch professional tournament matches like VCT.
You cannot watch friends’ matches for coaching or analysis.
You cannot share replay files with others.
If players want to share highlights, they still need to use external recording software like OBS or ShadowPlay. Many fans believe this approach feels outdated, especially when other competitive games like Dota 2 allow users to download professional matches and learn directly from top players.
For the esports community, this limitation feels like a missed opportunity. Being able to study pro gameplay is a big part of improvement in competitive titles, and Valorant still lacks that option.
What Else Is Included in Valorant Patch 11.06?
Patch 11.06 doesn’t just bring replays. Riot has packed in several important fixes and updates to improve gameplay. Here are the highlights:
Major Bot Ban
Riot announced a huge step against unfair play. Over the last six months, a ban wave removed 40,000 bot accounts from Valorant. This shows Riot’s ongoing efforts to keep the game fair for everyone.
Bug Fixes
Several annoying bugs have been addressed in this update:
A rare issue with Yoru and Reyna was fixed, where players using invisibility would suddenly reappear at their original spot.
A console-specific issue where weapons and the Spike were incorrectly highlighted has been fixed. A more complete solution is expected in patch 11.07.
Performance Boost
The RawInputBuffer setting is now permanently enabled. This feature helps improve the overall performance of gameplay, giving smoother and more responsive controls.
Why Replays Matter So Much to Valorant Players
The demand for replays has been strong for years. In a competitive game like Valorant, every small detail — from crosshair placement to map rotations — can make the difference between winning and losing. Having replays finally gives players the ability to:
Review mistakes: Understand what went wrong in a round.
Study strategies: See how opponents approached certain situations.
Track progress: Compare past gameplay to see improvements.
Learn from different views: Switching to first-person or third-person angles gives new insights.
For casual players, replays mean a chance to relive exciting moments and share them with friends. For competitive players, it’s a powerful tool for improvement and growth.
What’s Next for Valorant Replays?
Even though the replay system is a major win for the community, its current form feels incomplete. The inability to share replays or watch pro matches keeps it from becoming a true learning tool for the wider community.
Esports analysts and coaches have already pointed out how useful shared replays could be for player training. Riot may eventually expand the feature to include pro matches and friend replays, but for now, the system is limited to personal gameplay only.
Still, after five years of waiting, players finally have a built-in way to analyze matches. It may not be perfect, but it’s a foundation that can be built upon.
Valorant patch 11.06 is a landmark update in the game’s history. The replay feature marks a huge step toward giving players more tools to improve and enjoy the game. While restrictions limit its full potential, it’s a start that fans had been demanding for half a decade.
Along with this, Riot’s efforts to ban bots, fix bugs, and improve performance show that the developers are committed to maintaining a fair and polished experience.
For now, players can finally sit back, download their matches, and relive the best moments — or study mistakes to come back stronger in the next game.
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