VALORANT Masters London held a showmatch, revealing the latest Unrated/Competitive map Summit and a new limited-time mode called Retake.
Before one of the biggest matches of the year in the VALORANT pro scene, captains Megsoundslikeegg and Ailincia assembled two all-star squads to compete in a showmatch today at London Masters on the new map ahead of its release in patch 13.00. The latest, thirteenth Unrated/Competitive map joining the rotation is called Summit. CGMagazine had the chance to learn about the new map ahead of time, with some insights VALORANT devs shared about this new location. Joining the new backdrop, the game will see a new limited-time mode called Retake. All Act 4 updates will go live on June 24, 2026, with times varying across regions.
Summit is described as “set in a Radiant training academy nestled in the mountains of China.” Summit’s gimmick is its three droppable walls on A site, B site, and Mid. Essentially, these droppable walls reduce line-of-sight, and shift rotation paths for the rest of the round. The map is designed with two Spike sites, with three lanes. So, this has a general style to Split, Breeze, Icebox, Abyss, Ascent, Pearl, Sunset, and Corrode. The artwork is amazing, focusing on Sage and Skye in the cinematic. We have seen Sage’s character model and in-game storyline affected, so this was a follow-up to that.
Summit will be playable in Competitive queue immediately at launch. Like most launches, players will lose 50% less RR for losses on Summit but still gain 100% RR for map wins. Additionally, there is a Summit Only queue that will follow a Swiftplay format, running exclusively for the first seven days from launch. Off of initial pictures and what we have seen in the showmatch today, Summit’s A Site reminds me of Corrode’s A site without the claustrophobic walls. For this new map’s B Site, I felt it played similarly to Lotus’ A Site or Abyss’ B Site. The droppable walls are meant to be used for height advantage holds, which I can see becoming a common peak/hold position.
VALORANT Act 4 also introduces Retake. This mode is meant for players to get dropped directly in a match’s most tense moment: the post-plant. Instead of a 5v5 format though, this will be a round-based 3v3 mode. Riot Games’ VALORANT devs describe this situation starting “with the spike already planted, [and] one team must hold the site while the other fights to retake and defuse. Teams swap sides each round, and randomized loadouts escalate as the match progresses, creating fresh tactical challenges every game.”
The win condition is first to five wins, and the teams alternate between Planters and Retakers every round. Each round, players pick two cards: one for weapons and armor, one for ability charges. Each card offers two randomized options, and both pools escalate round by round. So far, the VALORANT devs explained that the map pool was curated from sites that fit the mode, and will “grow incrementally throughout the Act.” We will have to jump in and see how these single bomb site resets work round-by-round.
With a new Act, also brings a new gun skinline collection. This Act’s new skinline is called the Blackspyre Collection, noted for “blending sci-fi and mystical influences.” Weapons included in the collection are the Phantom, Sheriff, Spectre, Ares, and new melee, the Divide. The new Battlepass will feature items such as the Sky Reaper Ghost, Heal Up Squad Card, Blep Spray and more. Season 2026 // Act 4 goes live on June 24.
Be sure to check back in soon, as our Summit and Retake reactions will be up soon. Patch 13.00 notes will also be updated in the next couple of days.