Valorant, Riot Games’ popular tactical shooter, is well-known for its wide array of skins, some of which come with eye-catching visual effects and animations. These premium skins often entice players to splurge on in-game purchases, but the latest bundle teaser, Gaia’s Vengeance 2.0, has triggered quite the opposite reaction within the Valorant community. The bone of contention? The new melee weapon is featured in this bundle.
Nature seeks retribution. Gaia's Vengeance returns.
Available in your shop soon. pic.twitter.com/gvtr3gC2m6
— VALORANT (@VALORANT) October 1, 2023
Double Trouble: The Dual-Wielding Dilemma
On October 1st, Valorant players took to Reddit to voice their displeasure with the upcoming bundle, with much of the criticism aimed at the new melee weapon. This melee is a dual-wielding weapon consisting of a dagger and an axe, which raised immediate concerns among the player base. What’s concerning, you might ask? It turns out that the axe included in this dual-wielding setup bears an uncanny resemblance to its predecessor.
Gaia’s Vengeance 2.0: A Familiar Dilemma
Gaia’s Vengeance 2.0 marks the continuation of a skinline originally released in March 2022. Many of the weapons from the first bundle garnered popularity among players, especially the axe. Naturally, fans were excited to see this beloved skin making a comeback for other weapons. However, the disappointment began to brew when players felt like they would essentially be paying for the same axe twice if they wanted the new melee. To add insult to injury, the new edition of the axe is priced higher than the original. It’s available for 4350 VP compared to the 3550 VP price tag on the old axe.
The community’s consensus is that the bundle would have been better received if it featured just the dagger. One player articulated this sentiment, stating, “Just a knife would’ve been significantly better and not like a blatant slap in the face lol.” The dagger offers a simple and clean design without cluttering the player’s screen.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that dual-wielding skins are among the least popular melee types in Valorant. Very few players opt for dual-wield skins, and the fact that this new bundle introduces a repeating model only exacerbates the issue. Another player commented, “Why make a **** dagger model and then copy/paste the 1.0 axe into the other hand for an animation rig that is definitely F-tier (dual wield).”
Don’t Hold Your Breath for Gaia’s Vengeance 2.0
While the Valorant community is in uproar over Gaia’s Vengeance 2.0, it’s unlikely that Riot Games will make any immediate changes. The game has seen multiple instances of disgruntled players in response to different skin bundles, and this is not an issue that Riot Games has readily addressed. On the plus side, players might find themselves saving their hard-earned cash for more enticing offerings down the line.
The introduction of Gaia’s Vengeance 2.0 has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Valorant players. The bundle’s dual-wielding melee weapon, coupled with its pricing and similarity to a previous skin, has garnered widespread discontent. As players continue to voice their concerns, it remains to be seen if Riot Games will take any steps to address these grievances or if players will simply opt to allocate their in-game spending elsewhere.
