Riot Games released the 2026 Season Act 2 update for its 5v5 character-based tactical shooter, Valorant, on the 19th. This update introduces a new agent, MIKS, and a new game mode called Annihilation.

MIKS, the 29th agent to join the roster, is a support-focused strategist built for team play. Hailing from Croatia, MIKS manipulates the tempo of the battlefield using sonic energy. His kit draws inspiration from audio gear; his Waveform (E) ability, based on a synthesizer, deploys smoke via a tactical map marker to dictate the pace of a team's push. His ultimate, Thumping Bass (X), takes inspiration from concert venue speakers, emitting a massive sonic wave that knocks back players and muffles their hearing—a powerful tactical move.

His core skill, Harmony (Q), grants a combat stim to himself and his allies. The duration resets upon a kill, making it highly effective when the team pushes together. M-Wave (C) allows players to choose between a concussion effect or a healing pulse by tossing a device, contributing to either disabling foes or maintaining squad health. With such a robust toolkit for buffing allies and debuffing enemies, all eyes are on how MIKS will reshape the meta in both pro play and ranked matches.

The new limited-time mode, Annihilation, is an evolution of the traditional Team Deathmatch into a tactical execution-style gauntlet. The goal is to be the first team to win four rounds by wiping out the opposition. Players only respawn if an ally manages to secure a kill, which encourages coordinated trade kills. Capturing the orb in the center pushes a wall toward the enemy side, providing a crucial spatial advantage.

As the match progresses, respawn timers increase. If the clock runs out without a winner, the match enters overtime, where health slowly drains and healing or respawning becomes restricted. Annihilation emphasizes high-speed gameplay and the necessity of working with teammates to secure victory under pressure.

Beyond the new agent and mode, the rose-themed Black Thorns collection has been released, along with a new battle pass featuring items such as the Soulburst Bandit, Dragon-Gate Phantom, and the Light-Handed card. Further details on the Valorant 2026 Season Act 2 update can be found on the official website and YouTube channel.