Valorant Patch 11.06: Replays and Spectator Mode Arrive on PC with the Most Anticipated Update

Riot Games released the Valorant Patch 11.06 on September 16 (with a global rollout completed by the 18th), introducing for the first time a full spectator mode on PC along with a replay system. This long-awaited feature, requested since 2020, allows players to analyze matches, follow friends, and improve esports production.

The tool is now available in all regions except China (which will receive it with version 11.07b on October 9). On consoles, it will arrive with Patch 11.10 on November 12, 2025.

Spectator Mode in Valorant: how it works and what it includes

The spectator now allows players to join live matches of friends or teammates without the need for custom lobbies. To avoid abuse, such as stream sniping, Riot has implemented security delays in ranked matches.

Main features include:

• Switch between free cameras, first-person view, and cinematic perspectives.
• Stable cameras, advanced observer panels, and team-colored ability indicators.
• Special slots for coaches in the competitive scene.

Valorant Replay System: all functions of Patch 11.06

Replays are designed as a learning and analysis tool. They are available in Competitive, Unrated, Swiftplay, and Premier matches. For now, they don’t work in custom games or the Tournament Realm.

With replays you can:

• Watch matches from the first-person view of all 10 players.
• Toggle ally and enemy outlines.
• Track projectiles like Sova’s Recon Bolt.
• Use a free third-person camera.
• Pause, rewind, and fast-forward (x0.1 up to x8).
• Jump directly to rounds or specific moments.
• Review kills, deaths, and ultimates in the timeline.
• Show or hide HUD, minimap, and combat reports.

Replay files can be downloaded after each match from the Career tab or from the match results screen.

Frequently Asked Questions about Replays

• Do they affect performance? No, Riot ensures high quality with no FPS impact.
• Do they record text or voice chat? No, only gameplay is saved.
• Can they be shared? For now, they can only be opened on your own client, with no native clipping options.
• Do they look identical to live play? There may be differences: replays show the server’s view, not the client’s.
• What about high ping? It can cause movement discrepancies and slow down round skipping in playback.

Impact on the Community and Competitive Scene

The launch coincides with the Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris, generating a strong impact in the scene. Pros, coaches, and content creators are already praising replays as a valuable tool for match analysis and creating tutorials or highlights.

While the community celebrates the update, debates remain about potential misuse. Riot confirms the system has encryption and ranked limits to prevent cheating or file manipulation.

What’s Next for Valorant After Patch 11.06

Riot has confirmed it will continue gathering feedback and refining the tool in future updates. The roadmap mentions additional features such as:

• AI-generated automatic highlights.
• Expansion to custom games and official esports use.
• Better integration with Unreal Engine 5.

With the release of the Champions 2025 bundle and the official anthem Last Shot, this patch strengthens Valorant as one of the most innovative shooters on the market.