David Tao delivers a mesmerizing performance for the Year of the Horse, featuring nano-fiber black tech agents making their debut.

On February 5th, "Valorant: Source Energy Operation" (hereafter "Valorant Mobile") officially released the Lunar New Year special edition "Full Horsepower," delivering a festive and competitive double feast to players! The brand-new agent Steel Lock debuts with nano-fiber technology, the tactical map Sunset City reveals the secrets of the dusk battlefield, and Lunar New Year exclusive modes such as Cyber Fortune Telling and Zodiac Capsule are fully available. Meanwhile, Mandarin pop legend David Tao joins forces with "Valorant Mobile" to create the "Year of the Horse – Full Power" themed event series, loaded with abundant rewards ready to launch!

Steel Lock Joins the Fight: A Tactical Cage Woven from Nano-Fibers

As the absolute star of this update, the new agent Steel Lock redefines the tactical dimension of the game with a unique control-oriented role. This defensive specialist transforms nano-fiber technology into a lethal battlefield weapon, with a skill set perfectly embodying the "defense as offense" combat philosophy.

Steel Lock’s core tactical strength lies in his absolute control over battlefield space. His ability "Gravity Net" throws a nano-fiber grenade that forces enemies within its area to crouch and drastically slows them, effectively compressing enemy movement options and creating opportunities for teammates to focus fire.

The "Sonic Trap" skill highlights Steel Lock’s mastery of area control: the deployed nano-fiber sensor is extremely sensitive to environmental sounds like footsteps and gunfire, triggering a shock effect on targets within range. This device’s reusable feature makes it a flexible tactical piece during offensive and defensive transitions.

The "Barrier Field" is Steel Lock’s tactical trump card; the deployed barrier net generator creates a movable blockade in a designated area, completely cutting off enemy rotation routes or retreat paths. This skill is especially deadly in late-game scenarios, often turning advantageous situations into victories.

Steel Lock’s ultimate ability, "Soul Severing Cable," is one of the most visually striking executions in the game. Upon activating the nano-fiber accelerator, a shockwave is fired that cocoons the first enemy hit in a nano-fiber chrysalis and forcibly drags them along a preset cable route. If the enemy’s teammates fail to break the chrysalis before the drag ends, the captured target is automatically defeated by the system. Though the chrysalis can be destroyed, in 1v1 or 1v2 clutch situations, this skill often means an instant game-changing reversal.

From a tactical perspective, Steel Lock plays the dual roles of a "clutch finisher" and "area guardian." His skill set demands strong prediction and team coordination, requiring new players some time to master timing and positioning. However, once proficient, Steel Lock’s strategic value in high-rank matches grows exponentially.

Sunset City: Tactical Battles Under Twilight Shadows

The new competitive map "Sunset City" is inspired by a Mediterranean coastal European town, blending warm twilight hues with a compact three-lane layout to create a visually distinctive experience rich in tactical depth.

This map features a classic interconnected three-lane structure, with a central courtyard serving as the tactical hub linking the A and B deployment zones, forming a strategic pattern of "middle controls the whole, wings decide the outcome." The courtyard’s design is clever — its path to point B is relatively shorter, providing attackers with ample opportunities for tactical deception.

In practice, "feint and strike" becomes the core tactical logic of Sunset City. Attackers can send a lone player with smokes and other tactical tools to stage a fake assault in the B zone market, while the main force uses the courtyard’s fast route to penetrate B point, creating a pincer attack with the decoy. This "fake B, real B" tactic fully exploits defenders’ caution regarding threats from the middle.

For defenders, Sunset City tests the dual abilities of resource allocation and information judgment. Due to the objective threat from the middle, defenders often must heavily fortify B point while using scouting skills or aggressive reconnaissance to prevent flanking at A point. Losing control of the middle leads to a vulnerable position of being cut off and surrounded.

Wah Show Lunar New Year: A Cyber Fair Filled with Festive Joy

The most innovative feature of the "Full Horsepower" update is the integration of traditional Lunar New Year elements with deep game interaction in the "Wah Show Hall." This new social space is officially described as a "cyber fair dedicated to Valorant players," where players enter a virtual plaza brimming with holiday atmosphere upon logging in.

In Wah Show Hall, players can control their favorite agent avatars and interact with others in real time. Features like New Year greetings, sending bullet comments, free exploration, and photo check-ins condense traditional MMO social experiences into a lightweight festive party. Each agent is equipped with exclusive Lunar New Year emotes, fully showcasing character personalities during interactions.

The Cyber Fortune Telling system is another highlight of this Lunar New Year event. Players can draw exclusive fortunes daily, with an AI interpretation feature providing personalized fortune readings based on the drawn text. More playfully, fortunes grant nine different "fortune skills," which can be equipped in limited-time Lunar New Year modes to trigger effects like "Watch Your Eyes" (flash interference), "Fund Sharing" (economic aid), and "Quick Decisive Victory" (headshot bonus).

Three major Lunar New Year limited modes cater to different player preferences:

The "Headshot Jackpot" mode pushes the FPS core thrill of headshots to the extreme. Players who consecutively defeat enemies see their character’s head model gradually enlarge, eventually evolving into a "Big Head King" with significantly increased health. As the Big Head King, players can only use fast melee attacks, creating a "high risk, high reward" tactical challenge: pursue the crushing power of the Big Head King or maintain traditional gunplay advantages? The first team to reach 80 kills claims victory.

The "Year Beast Raid" mode innovates on the folk tradition of "firecrackers driving away the year beast." Players are divided into invisible Year Beasts and armed agents, battling in a ghost bomb mode. The Year Beast’s stealth contrasts sharply with the agents’ firepower, emphasizing teamwork and communication.

"Speed Battle Spring" is a fast-paced mode designed for hardcore shooters. The economy system is greatly simplified, gear builds rapidly, and the first team to win 5 rounds wins outright. Each match features a "Easter Egg Round" randomly assigning buffs to all players.

Five Major Reward Sections: From Login Gifts to New Year's Eve Bonuses

Launched alongside the update is the largest Lunar New Year reward matrix in Valorant Mobile’s history, including five major sections to thank players for their support:

Login Rewards: After updating, players logging in receive a 7-day hero recruitment acceleration bonus, with chances to gain valuable R-point resources. Participating in the new version’s tutorial interaction also grants the exclusive "Full Horsepower" card skin.

Free Skins: During the update period, multiple high-quality skins are available for free trial, with permanent unlocking of the Odin weapon skin upon completing specific tasks, enhancing combat experience with zero barriers.

Valentine’s Day Special: On February 14th, a sweet and romantic duo event goes live. Players team up with partners to accumulate points, unlocking one of two themed duo card skins, one of two exclusive titles, and unique sprays, writing a different kind of romance amid the gunfire.

Zodiac Capsule Section: By playing limited modes, players collect "Zodiac Capsules," with daily draw opportunities. Collecting all 12 capsules before New Year’s Eve guarantees a fixed reward of 20 R-points on February 16th, making it a must-do task during the festival period.

New Year’s Eve Celebration: On the night of February 9th, logging in lets players join a prize pool worth 100 million R-points, with chances to trigger R-point critical hits. Additionally, exclusive Lunar New Year titles, card skins, avatar frames, limited-time renegade skins, and hero selection packs are all handed out to help players start the new year strong.

Season 4 Battle Pass: Released alongside the new version, featuring three skin series: "Masterful Porcelain Painting," "Nitro Boost," and "Clear Sky Flying Pig." The "Masterful Porcelain Painting" series includes the exclusive melee skin "Celadon Flower Sword," whose elegant forward stab and heavy strike animations will become the most eye-catching presence on the battlefield.

David Tao Crossover: When the R&B Godfather Meets Tactical Shooter

The most boundary-breaking collaboration in the "Full Horsepower" update is the deep involvement of Mandarin pop godfather David Tao. Known for classics like "Regular Friends" and "Black Tangerine," this musician defines Mandarin R&B and joins "Valorant Mobile" with the catchy slogan "Year of the Horse – Full Power," launching a series of creative collaborations.

In the official collaboration video, David Tao opens with self-mocking "horse gun" (shooting mistakes) clips, generating comedy through puns like "I messed up!" and "What are you messing with?" As the BGM intensifies, Tao finds the battle rhythm in the fusion of nano-fiber and electronic music, ultimately singing the catchy "Year of the Horse – Full Power~" melody, completing his transformation from "King of Missed Shots" to "King of Headshots." This content retains Tao’s signature musical style while perfectly matching the daily experience of FPS players.

The "Drama Machine" welfare event launches on February 7th. Players participating have chances to win David Tao’s co-branded "Lucky" card skin and the catchy "Duang" title, with the first draw guaranteeing the exclusive "Year of the Horse Good Luck" avatar.

After completing the Drama Machine event, players unlock the "AI Couplets" feature. Enter keywords to generate personalized Lunar New Year couplets, with chances to receive blessings from celebrities like David Tao, Zhou Ye, and Zhang Linghe in the form of matching spring couplets.

Conclusion

The "Full Horsepower" update showcases the development team’s deep reflection on Valorant Mobile’s evolution—from Steel Lock’s tactical innovations to Sunset City’s map aesthetics, from Wah Show Hall’s social experiment to David Tao’s crossover breaking new ground.

During this Lunar New Year festival, Valorant Mobile sincerely wishes all agents improved marksmanship and tactics in the new year, crafting their own legends on the nano-fiber woven battlefield! Year of the Horse Full Power — see you on the battlefield!