Valorant players logging into the Practice Range in mid-2024 were met with an unexpected surprise: the beloved Spike defuse and plant practice scenarios had vanished.
For many, these drills were a staple of their warm-up routine—a way to hone clutch skills, practice retakes, and get comfortable with the game’s most intense moments. The removal sparked confusion and frustration across the community, leaving players wondering: why did Riot Games make this decision?
What Was Removed?
Previously, the Practice Range featured dedicated portals that allowed players to simulate Spike plant and defuse scenarios against bots.
These exercises were valued for:
- Practicing angle clearing and site retakes.
- Testing agent abilities in realistic post-plant situations.
- Warming up with high-pressure, time-sensitive drills.
With the release of Patch 9.02, these portals were replaced by doors linked to the new Basic Training tutorial. The doors currently serve no practical function, and the only way to access plant/defuse scenarios is by replaying the entire Basic Training—an impractical solution for most players.
Theories and Community Reaction
Riot Games has not provided an an official, detailed explanation for the removal. However, several theories have emerged within the community and among analysts:
- Server Optimization: Some speculate that removing the mode was intended to reduce server strain, especially as Valorant expanded to new platforms like consoles.
- Console Integration: The change coincided with the launch of Valorant on consoles and the introduction of a new tutorial system, suggesting the update was part of a broader effort to unify the training experience across platforms.
- Low Usage: It’s possible that Riot’s internal data showed few players regularly used the defuse/plant practice, prompting a reallocation of resources toward features with broader appeal.
- New Training Philosophy: The new Basic Training tutorial is more cinematic and guided, possibly reflecting a shift in how Riot wants new players to learn core mechanics.
Despite these possible explanations, the community response has been overwhelmingly negative. Many veteran players argue that the drills were essential for skill development and that their removal leaves a gap in the game’s training tools.
Impact on Players
- Veteran Players: Lost a valuable method for practicing clutch scenarios and refining their skills.
- New Players: Now have fewer opportunities to learn defuse mechanics outside of live matches, potentially making the learning curve steeper.
- Console Players: Many never experienced the original defuse/plant drills, highlighting a growing divide in onboarding experiences between new and old players.
What’s Next?
The presence of non-functional doors in the Practice Range hints that Riot may be planning to reintroduce or rework these training scenarios in the future. For now, players are left hoping for clearer communication and the return of a feature many considered vital to their improvement.
Conclusion
The removal of defuse practice from Valorant’s Practice Range reflects the challenges of evolving a live-service game across multiple platforms. While Riot’s motives remain partly speculative, the community’s message is clear: practical, scenario-based training is an essential part of the Valorant experience, and its absence is keenly felt.
Written by:
Christian