Review of the main maps in VALORANT

In VALORANT, as in any other tactics first-person shooter, there is a special set of unique maps that are used in Matchmaking and on the professional stage.

But if other disciplines (with rare exceptions) pay attention to modifications and changes in the competitive pool (a nail in the coffin to CS:GO), Riot Games constantly reflect on its locations, adding more and more new elements.

In this material we will talk about the main maps that are present in VALORANT. It is about such maps as Fracture, Split, Haven, Ascent, Icebox and Pearl, as they were approved by the developers in the latest update. Don’t forget that next year we will have a chance to see a new map and now we should be happy with what we have already got.

Let’s do a quick run through the main maps not going deeper to the tactics madness and strategic delights. Basically, we will analyze key features of the maps and their distinctions that should be taken into account when you familiarize yourself with them.

Fracture

Fracture is one of the latest maps that was added to the game when patch 3.05 was released. As well as the others, it offers players a unique experience thanks to its ziplines.

Fracture is a rather small map so it involves close contact and shooting in the short-distance. Besides, Fracture is built in a way that shelters and corners can be used for shooting in close and middle distances.

Fracture has two parallel one-way ziplines that divide the map in half. However, these conditions create a unique chance for interaction with them:

• Changing direction
• Quick detachment
• In-flight stop

This unique map will blow minds of some players and without doubt will require some time to adjust as there are several directions from which you should expect your opponent.

Apart from uniqueness that enables attack players to come from any side of the map, there are many corners and shelters that imply a severe threat.

With four spheres scattered around the map, there are such agents as Skye, Reyna, Cypher, and Phoenix who will come in handy as their ultimates are worth only six points and it means that these agents may potentially use their ultimate in each round.

Split

The map that appeared at the very beginning of the game but was modified and was deleted from the competitive pool for a while. Nevertheless, recently the developers have introduced an update where they returned Split.

The main emphasis was put on the vertical interactions between attack and defense players. There are several highrise positions and also a connector that links the intermediary centers and an access to Plant B.

The unique mechanics lies in the fact that the map has ropes that help players to climb up and down fast without making any noise.

However, the players only have to obtain spheres as tall of the are located in open positions where your opponent may be staying. Another inconvenience of Split is long constrictions between plants that complicate making predictions of the actions of the opponent.

As for the choice of the agents, here you have to consider such characters as Sage, Phoenix and Brimstone, as their skill set will enhance control over the most importants parts of the map.

Haven

The next part that was added when the beta test of VALORANT was released. The main feature of Haven is its compactness despite the fact that the developers managed to place three points for spike launch.

Actually, this is the map where the defense can easily counterattack in one of the directions to gain space. At the same time, the attack has an advantage in choosing three plants at once.

As the maps is very easy to play, it has got sufficient number of signature agents that must be present in each team. In particular, the beast picks are Brimstone, Jett, Cypher, Sage and Viper.

Ascent

Perhaps, it is one of the most famous maps in VALORANT, as Ascent appeared in the first months after the game had been released more often than others. No doubt the majority of fans fell in love with the map and learned all tricks and features by heart.

In fact, Ascent is an example of proper map-making as all the rules were taken into account here. Actually, we can see two open plants and also a variation of the center of the map which can be crossed in order to attack both directions.

The main feature of the map was mechanical door at each plant for spike launch. In several seconds after the beginning of the round the players can use a switch to open or close it, having a chance to cut off the way for the opponents. The door is impenetrable until anyone breaks it leaving only an empty doorway.

So, Ascent offers players enough maneuvers but almost always leads to shooting checking the level of mastery. The selection of agents is incredibly diverse as the ways of using them is limited only by the banal ingenuity of each player.

Icebox

The first map that was officially added to VALORANT. The location represents an Arctic base covered with snow with a special feature with vertical positions and even a presence of horizontal cables for fast movement.

The map has numerous vertical displacements, a ridiculous number of various corners, and undoubtedly, is the most difficult map in terms of the tactics in comparison to the others that have been released so far.

The general structure of Icebox, the building and the detailails of the map are very demanding to the game and its development.

Here the agents are very convenient as they can climb the containers by themselves and create the difference in geometry. Therefore, Jett, Sage, Raze and Omen become the base of any team. Another important agent is Sova who is capable of controlling areas of the map.

Pearl

The last map that was added to the game when the fifth entry came out. To be fair, Pearl does not have any unique mechanics. However, the map is very good in terms of the structure and opportunities for both sides, not speaking about the location in the picturesque underwater town.

What makes Pearl unique in comparison with other locations is the holes in the walls and the one-of-a-kind design of the center of the map because, unlike the majority of the maps, there are several narrow directions.

Instead of it the mao is designed with the use of several halls that are connected by both plants and spawns.

In the case of Pearl, the holes/windows in the walls help to build interesting combinations especially for high-mobile agents such as Raze and Jett. If we speak about picking the agents, we will need Omen, Fade and Raze and Jett that have been mentioned above.

In the latest updated the developers deleted maps Breeze and Bind from the competitive pool. Now we just have to wait for the release of the seventh map that will appear in VALORANT pretty soon. Then you will have to consider a new location thoroughly, as they say, in hot pursuit.