NEW SENTINEL JUST DROPPED – Veto Destroys Enemy Utility in Valorant 12.04
March 3, 2026
Valorant Patch 12.04 arrives on March 5, 2026, bringing the game’s 29th agent—a new Sentinel named Veto—alongside a host of updates tied to the ongoing Masters Santiago tournament . First revealed during the VCT Champions 2025 Finals in Paris, Veto is designed as a direct counter to the utility-heavy meta, with abilities that can destroy enemy gadgets and disable incoming projectiles .
Hailing from Senegal, Veto’s kit revolves around disruption and control, making him a flexible pick for both defensive setups and aggressive plays . The patch also introduces Masters Santiago Watch & Earn rewards, giving viewers the chance to unlock exclusive titles and sprays by tuning into live matches and using the Shotcall extension . Here’s everything in the Valorant 12.04 patch notes.
New Agent Veto: Abilities and Role
Veto is the seventh Sentinel added to Valorant, and his entire kit is built around nullifying enemy abilities and controlling space . Unlike traditional Sentinels who focus on trapping flanks, Veto actively disrupts enemy utility, making him a powerful counter to agents like Raze, Gekko, and Killjoy .
Veto Ability Breakdown
| Ability | Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| C | Crosscut | Place a vortex marker on the ground. While in range, reactivate to teleport back to it. Can be reclaimed during buy phase [citation:1][citation:9]. |
| Q | Chokehold | Throw a slime fragment that becomes a trap. Enemies stepping on it are Deafened and Decayed [citation:1][citation:5]. |
| E | Interceptor | Deploy a device that automatically destroys enemy projectiles and deployables (Raze nades, Gekko Wingman, Killjoy turret) [citation:1][citation:7]. |
| X | Evolution | Transform into mutated form: gain combat stim, health regen, and immunity to debuffs (flashes, stuns, suppression) [citation:3][citation:9]. |
According to Riot, Veto’s design rewards smart positioning and timing . His Interceptor is particularly powerful against setups, automatically destroying any utility that would bounce off players or be destroyed by gunfire . His ultimate, Evolution, turns him into a tank that can lead pushes without fear of crowd control .
Masters Santiago Watch & Earn Drops
Patch 12.04 activates the Masters Santiago Watch & Earn campaign, running from February 28 to March 15, 2026 . Fans can earn exclusive in-game rewards by watching live matches and participating in predictions.
Masters Santiago Rewards
To qualify, ensure your Riot account is linked to Twitch and watch the official VCT broadcasts . The Shotcall extension (desktop only) lets you predict maps, rounds, and clutch moments in real time, earning points on a global leaderboard . Pick’Ems powered by AWS are available in-client or at valorantesports.com .
Gekko Adjustments and Additional Updates
Following the 12.03 buffs that made Gekko more viable , Patch 12.04 includes minor adjustments to balance his presence in the meta. While specific numbers weren’t detailed in the announcement, Riot confirmed continued tuning based on pro play data from the ongoing Masters Santiago tournament.
The patch also fixes a bug where Veto’s Crosscut indicators would overlap on agents and make them difficult to see—a quality-of-life improvement for players learning the new Sentinel .
With Masters Santiago now underway, Riot is closely monitoring agent performance and may implement additional hotfixes during the tournament if certain agents become problematic . The next major update is expected after the event concludes on March 15.