When does Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 start? Release date & update time expected

When does Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 start? Release date & update time expected
Callum Smith Updated on by

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A new Valorant act is imminent. The current chapter of the game has been amazing adding Clove, but now are set to move onto the next chapter with a new battle pass full of rewards. Many are asking when does the new Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 start, and here you will find the release date along with the expected start time for the update maintenance.

There is quite a bit we know about the upcoming chapter. Patch 8.08 will fix a major Agent bug and bring Split back, and Riot Games has confirmed the Premier map pool along with updates to the competitive mode. In addition, fans are finally getting heavily requested skins that will have us all looking pretty in pink.

Riot Games has now confirmed the leaks that uncovered a gorgeous bundle similar to LoL Spirit Blossom, and fortunately we don’t have to wait too long for Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 to start. The release date and expected maintenance start time for the update is right around the corner.

Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 release date

The release date for Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 is April 30th/May 1st. This comes courtesy of the in-game Episode 8 Act 2 battle pass.

Riot Games’ new battle pass hasn’t been revealed as of yet, but we do know of a new bundle coming to the game. Called Mystbloom, it’s thematically similar to League of Legends’ Spirit Blossom as it has a pink color scheme with an emphasis on flowers.

You can check out the weapons and animations part of the bundle in the embedded tweet below from the official Valorant Twitter account:

When does Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 start?

The expected update time for when Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 maintenance will start is 6 AM PT/ 9 AM ET for North American servers on April 30th. As for Europe, servers are expected to go offline for maintenance at 8 PM PT/ 11 PM PT on April 30th, and 4 AM BST on May 1st.

None of the above hours have been confirmed as of writing. The Riot Games server status website hasn’t been updated yet, but all of the above hours are expectations based on past episode acts.

Expected Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 maintenance start time NA servers

  • 6 AM PT on Tuesday, April 30th
  • 9 AM PT on Tuesday, April 30th

Expected Valorant Episode 8 Act 3 maintenance start time EU servers

  • 8 PM PT on Tuesday, April 30th
  • 11 PM ET on Tuesday, April 30th
  • 4 AM BST on Wednesday, May 1st

Premier mode changes

Below are all of the upcoming changes to Premier mode:

Promotion:

  • Teams that win their playoff bracket this stage will be promoted at least one division at the start of the next stage. The top two contender teams in each zone will get the opportunity to make into the challengers league.

Invite Division in E9A1:

  • Quality for the Invite Division in E9A1 by being one of the top 32 teams in your zone’s contender division at the end of the stage.

600 Playoff Qualification:

  • Playoff Qualification threshold is now 600 premier score for all divisions.

Map pool

And below is the map pool:

  • Week 1 – May 8th – 12th
    • Bind
  • Week 2 – May 15th – 19th
    • Lotus
  • Week 3 – May 22nd – 26th
    • Ascent
  • Week 4 – May 29th – June 2nd
    • Sunset
  • Week 5 – June 5th – 9th
    • Breeze
  • Week 6 – June 12th – 16th
    • Split
  • Week 7 – June 19th – 22nd
    • Icebox
  • Playoffs – June 23rd

For more Valorant, check out our 18 tips on how to get better at the game along with our guide for how to appear offline if you don’t want certain friends knowing you’re playing. We also have guides for how to chat with the team, all, and private, along with how to add friends.