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All VALORANT Maps Ordered By Release
Riot’s tactical First Person Shooter (FPS) title, Valorant, is now in its fourth year. Over the course of time, new maps have been added to the pool in a bid to shift gameplay and reinvigorate the player base. Each Valorant map has its own personality and characteristics that define gameplay on that map.
There are currently 17 maps total for Valorant
- The Range, for practicing and training new players
- 11 of which is reserved for standard play (Competitive/Unrated/Swiftplay).
- 5 for Team Deathmatch
At any given time, the active map pool (playable in competitive queue) is kept at 7, meaning maps are consistently being rotated between to keep the pool fresh.
As of Patch 9.08, the following maps are not in the active pool: Breeze, Fracture, Icebox, and Lotus.
All VALORANT Maps Ordered By Release
Haven (April 7th, 2020)
Known for its unique three-bombsite layout, this tricky map requires absolute coordination from the defense, especially as you find yourself spread thinly to cover every entry point. It is an essential map for any avid Valorant fan to master, with the tug-of-war approach necessary for attackers and defenders to emerge triumphant.
Bind (April 7th, 2020)
Site anchors beware, this trickster map is the infamous playgrounds of deceivers such as Omen and Yoru. Twin teleporters allow quick rotations from one end of the map to the other, however, tight chokepoints and entry ways also make it a bastion to enter. A notoriously difficult map to play, learning this map could be key to increasing your winrate.
Split (April 7th, 2020)
The defunct rejected elder brother of maps, Split was characteristic for its towering heights overlooking both bombsites. Infamous for the strength of the defense side, there was no more feared map for its upset potential. Multiple angles to check, height elevations, tough entry ways, it was either a love or hate extreme for most players.
Ascent (June 2nd, 2020)
The bread and butter of Valorant. Most Valorant players would agree, this is the best map, or one of the best to play. Simple clear design lent well to multiple avenues of approach. It is a staple for any Valorant player to learn. Shine on this map, and you are well on your way to becoming a full-fledged Valorant star.
Icebox (October 13th, 2020)
Met with frigid responses on release, this Artic-themed map revolves around tricky lurks and timings. With the twin bombsites greatly separated, it presents a long trek for defenders and attackers alike to rotate. Ratty positions in the scores of hiding places on this map can reward one with a rotation cut-off. However, beware, long sightlines on this map allow the OP to shine on it.
Breeze (April 27th, 2021)
The ultimate test of your Aim Labs proficiency, Breeze is a map that rewards excellent aim. However, the massive scale of the map also benefits lurkers and OPs. Mastering the timings and executes can allow one to quickly shut down or take sites before the other side can even respond.
Fracture (September 8th, 2021)
Hate it or love it, Fracture is a strategic staple of high-level VALORANT. The dreaded four-way map sees difficulty for defenders to properly fortify against. With quick rotates for attackers via a central zipline, it is a uniquely challenging map to master.
Pearl (June 22nd, 2022)
Synonymous with post-plant spams, Pearl takes it name from the underwater locale it is based in. It takes inspiration half from Haven and the other from Split in that multiple entryways challenge defenders, while attackers wrestle with difficult elevated sightlines and chokepoints.
Lotus (January 10th, 2023)
Off-angles, revolving doors, triple bombsite, it's everything we love with Haven, with extra spice. Lotus is a particularly tricky map to navigate for new players as it involves 'stages', however, the map offers bright colors, loads of duel opportunities and pairs fantastically with a wide array of agents and compositions, making it a solid map in any meta.
District (June 27th, 2023)
One of the first TDM maps, District offers a good mix of tight angles to fight, a long corridor to duel along one end and multiple elevation opportunities to play around with.
Kasbah (June 27th, 2023)
Kasbah's gameplay primarily centers around the dual lanes along both ends of the map. The center of the map is a tricky place to navigate with multiple angles to be exposed to at any given time, making it very much a peek and dip style of map.
Piazza (June 27th, 2023)
A pure-aim map, Piazza offers elevation opportunities but the majority of players will find more success navigating and playing around the multiple angles that the map offers.
Sunset (August 29th, 2023)
Tight corridors, tons of mid-range sightlines, Sunset delivered as a strong candidate at the end of 2023, offering reprieve from the more complicated maps that had been in rotation. Sunset is fairly simple but can be frustrating due to the numerous angles to clear. However, it plays very much like a more advanced Ascent in terms of gaining map control, and is a treat to watch in high level play.
Drift (December 5th, 2023)
Glitch may have multiple angles but the general experience of the map plays like one massively long shooter corridor with multiple angles and spots to pop your head out from. The map also offers some flank opportunities along both sides, allowing players to either take the fight or deliver that deadly backstab.
Abyss (June 11th 2024)
Yes we've fallen off the map. And yes, there's a bottom. Abyss is the newest addition to the VALORANT standard map pool, offering multiple elevations, challenging rotations and a unique challenge of not including railings. Not as many enjoy this map but we think it plays fairly well. It's fun, simple, and maybe you can pray for that enemy smurf's downfall (literally).
Glitch (October 22nd, 2024)
Utilizing assets from Sunset and Haven especially, Glitch is an odd map with a strong thematic approach. The core gameplay of the map centers around tighter angles and multiple chokepoints. Beware as you and your team navigate this tricky newest addition to the VALORANT map pool.
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Image credit: Riot Games
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