New VALORANT Bug Lets You Eliminate Enemies in Buy Phase

New VALORANT Bug Lets You Eliminate Enemies in Buy Phase

14 May, 2026, 19:38

|

Last updated: 14 May, 2026, 19:38

A new VALORANT bug appears to be affecting servers. Based on player reports, the bug lets you eliminate opponents during the buy phase. While bugs are common in a live service game like VALORANT, this particular issue may be causing more trouble than usual.

Patch 12.09, which introduced the recent Neon and shotgun nerfs, appears to be the source of the bug. Here's everything we know about it so far.

Buy Phase Elimination Bug in VALORANT Patch 12.09

As mentioned, the new bug allows players to occasionally secure eliminations during the buy phase. Based on community reports, randomly shooting or striking forward with your knife while in the buy phase carries a chance of eliminating an opponent. Likewise, the same can happen to you.

Several clips have surfaced on social media, showing players both exploiting the bug and falling victim to it. The bug appears to be random, with no reliable way to target specific enemies.

It also remains unclear whether this occurs only in certain rounds or can happen in any round. However, clips online have shown players on both the Attacker and Defender side being eliminated as a result of the bug.

The buy phase bug appears to be one of many that have surfaced after patch 12.09. Many players have shared their concerns on social media, and while official confirmation has not yet arrived, a hotfix from Riot Games is expected soon, given the severity of the issue.

Follow Strafe Esports for the latest VALORANT news, and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe's YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: Riot Games


Read More:

Neon and Shotgun Nerfs are here! VALORANT Patch Notes 12.09

VALORANT Devs Tease Upcoming Updates: Improved Ranked Experience, New Modes, and More

VALORANT Shares First Look at Neon and Shotgun Nerfs Coming in Patch 12.09

 

Latest news

VALORANT Champions Shanghai: All Teams Tier List

VALORANT Champions Shanghai: All Teams Tier List

Over the years, we have seen more teams than we can recall step onto that bright VALORANT Champions stage, each vying and contending for that coveted title. And yet, in the game’s short history, we have only seen 5 teams hoist the championship.  As VALORANT Champions Shanghai approaches, the 6th iteration, a new host of teams converge across the month of play to see if they have what it takes to win it all. But before the games begin, this article attempts to weigh each contender and rank them by order of strength.
14h
Foo Zen-Wen

VALORANT New Rifle Warden: Price, Details, Release Date, and More

VALORANT Patch 13.06 is quickly shaping up as one of the most prominent patches in recent memory. With this patch, the game will welcome a new mode, a new agent mastery system, and a new Rifle: Warden.
16h
Ganesh Jadhav

VALORANT Adds New Game Mode "Gauntlet: Glitched" in Patch 13.06

Alongside the new rifle and the agent mastery, Riot Games has also announced a new game mode that will be coming to VALORANT. “Gauntlet: Glitched” drops on September 22, 2026, and it brings a completely new take on the tac-fps genre.
16h
Kaustavmani Choudhury

VALORANT Introduces New Agent Mastery System with Patch 13.06

The many dedicated hours spent on your agent of choice will finally bear physical fruit with the advent of VALORANT Patch 13.06. Amongst all the exciting announcements of a new game mode and weapon, the agent system will see a crucial revamp that includes new mastery levels visualized through in-game rewards.
16h
Foo Zen-Wen

VALORANT Champions 2026 Group Stage Pick'Ems Guide and Predictions

The pinnacle of the VCT season, VALORANT Champions 2026, takes place from September 24 to October 18 in Shanghai, China. Bringing together 16 elite teams across four international leagues, the event features a $2.25 million prize pool and the world championship trophy.
10 Sep
Kaustavmani Choudhury

Riot Games Shares VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers First Look

VCT 2027 will feature a new structure, with Open Qualifiers leading into every big LAN event. Here's a first look at the qualifiers for Kickoff 2027.
8 Sep
Adarsh J. Kumar

Boaster to Explore Options Outside Fnatic for VCT 2027

The VALORANT esports landscape is bracing for a monumental shift as Jake "Boaster" Howlett, the iconic 31-year-old IGL for Fnatic, officially begins exploring opportunities ahead of the 2027 VCT season. After a legendary five-year tenure with the London-based organization, this offseason announcement marks the potential end of one of tactical shooter history's most celebrated and charismatic partnerships.
8 Sep
Kaustavmani Choudhury

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match