Valorant Maps Guide + The Best and Worst maps, Ranked

Since its release in June 2020, Valorant has captivated audiences worldwide. With a competitive mode, challenging agents, and engaging map design, Valorant has quickly cemented itself as one of the best competitive FPS games out there right now. Part of that success is down to the effort Riot Games puts into the game’s content. The Valorant maps, for example, are extremely well designed, allowing for balance and creativity to come into play. Currently Valorant only has five maps available for competitive and unrated play, but each boasts its own gimmick, like teleports, which keep players on their toes in every game.

If you’re looking to find out more about Valorant maps, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll explain each map one by one and talk you through their layout, their callouts, and their gimmicks. We’ll even tell you the location of ultimate orbs and how best to approach certain sites. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the Valorant maps.

VALORANT MAPS EXPLAINED

Valorant currently has six maps, all with different layouts, lanes, and gimmicks. While some may be more balanced than others, these five different maps all present different problems for attackers and defenders to consider when they play.

To understand that in more, here’s our full breakdown of the Valorant maps, complete with callout maps.

Here are the Valorant maps:

Ascent
Split
Icebox
Bind
Haven
Breeze

ASCENT

If you’re familiar with Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy, then Ascent will look familiar to you. The map, which was the first to be added to the game, features a rustic setting with lush green spaces scattered throughout the map. While it might seem peaceful, gaining control of this two-site map in the early rounds can be fairly tricky, mostly in part to the big wide open space in the center of the map.

You’ll need to work as a team to win on Ascent, largely due to the set routes of entry onto site and the long, tight angles usually held by Operator-wielding agents.

In defense, smokes and walls are key to slowing down attackers, especially since retaking sites is a nightmare on Ascent. Force attackers to use their utility and your jobs will be made easier.

Ascent has two orbs – one in A main and one in B main.

SPLIT

Map coordinates place Split in Sibuya, Japan, which is reflected in the neon colour pallet and the blend of futuristic and traditional architecture between bomb sites. It is a dense map with multiple levels to keep you on your toes whether you’re attacking or defending.

Mid is the key battlegrounds in Split and controlling it is the key to success. If you get caught out on site, rotating through Sewer, Rafters, and Vents are probably your best choice – just remember to hit shift when you use the zip lines.

Split also has two orbs – one in A main and one in B main.

ICEBOX

An arctic setting inspired by Bennett Island, Russia, Icebox is one of Valorant’s narrowest maps with a lot of tight corridors and very little open space. However, Icebox makes up for all of that in verticality – making holding angles at varying heights key to success in both attack and defence.

This verticality also comes into play on the map’s two sites too, which are two tiered. This means you have the option to plant the spike on low and high ground depending on your read of the situation.

As such, Icebox is the perfect map for versatile agents like Raze, Jett and Omen who are able to get around the map with relative ease. This can work for both sides, so be wary of opponents lurking in dark corners during a retake.

You can find Icebox’s two orbs near A site in front of A nest and outside of B Garage.

BIND

Bind is a fan favourite and it’s probably because it’s Valorant’s answer to CS:GO’s Dust 2. Set in Morocco, Bind is one of the game’s most balanced map. With four lanes (two leading to each site) and two teleporters that make noise when they’re used, players can take their time playing onto site, but rotate in record speed.

The tight angles of some lanes, plus the ability to hang back inside the teleporters doesn’t lend an advantage to either team really. However, combine that with the right agents, like Omen, and you’ll have a fluid team that can run with an advantage.

Bind’s orbs are located at the back of A baths and at the top of B long.

HAVEN

Inspired by the small landlocked nation of Butan, Haven is set within a monastery. While it’s one of the most colourful and peaceful maps to explore, Haven is unique to Valorant as it contains three bomb sites rather than two. This adds an additional layer to defending as you spread your resources to try and cover the whole map.

In defence, you’ll be stretched thin trying to work out the best way to defend sites, immediately putting you at a disadvantage against attackers. However, because the map is so big, rotations – both in attack and defense – can take a while, so communication and quick rotations are key to winning on Haven.

On other maps, taking control of mid is really important, but on Haven, B is the battleground you’ll want to plant your flag in. If you control B, either in attack or defence, you’ll be able to control the middle point and pick off players as they come from either side.

Haven’s orbs can be found at long A and long C.

BREEZE

Breeze is Valorant’s newest map, but don’t let its playful Caribbean vibe fool you – it’s a battleground for agents who like to take long range fights.

This map has big wide open spaces that’ll keep both attackers and defenders on their toes. In defence, communication is key since sites are much more open. Whether you’re sitting on site or looking on from afar through the scope of an Operator, danger is always lurking around the next corner.

Both the sites on Breeze have multiple entry points, meaning attacking and retaking sites is more complicated than before. Rapid agents who can take fights to their enemies are well placed to fight on Breeze, but they’re going to need support from a healer to keep them in the game.

As a gimmick, Breeze has a vent that’ll allow you to rotate from A hall to Mid Pillar – but be warned: this drops you into mid and there’s no way of going back up it.

You can find the orbs on Breeze in A Shop and B main.

These are the best and worst Valorant maps

Riot Games continue to expand the Valorant map pool by delivering unique locations in each episode. After three episodes, Valorant has seven maps as developers prepare the players for more to come.

Riot Games has the habit of modifying game meta with the release of the new map. The developer introduces a new mechanic in every new map, heavily impacting the agent pick rate. While most of these features were an instant success, Fracture has the player base on the fence.

1- Split continues to be the best

Fracture’s release didn’t budge Split from its top spot. The office-like location continues to be the best in Valorant for its impeccable indoor-outdoor balance and layout that lets all agents shine through.

A risky middle area with Spike points that are tough to break open makes Split your ideal first-person shooter map. Both sides have an equal chance of winning on this location as it forces agents to put their aim to the test.

2- Breeze brings underrated agents to fore

When Riot Games introduced Breeze, Yoru was believed to be a no-good agent, whereas Viper was still looking for her “main map.” This new vast location allowed both of these agents to shine, quickly becoming their home turf.

The tropical island is exceptionally balanced. It also brings variations to the overall Valorant map pool and agent selection with its long alleys, vast areas, and double-mid. Without Breeze, Valorant meta would have looked different in the current patches.

3- Icebox after rework is better

Players had mixed feelings about the icy tundra, but the recent update that solidifies Radianite boxes has convinced players of Icebox’s greatness.

The location has close corners, tight choke points, and a vast point B that favors whoever has the best strategies. This location can be pugged-away if you have a crisp aim but executes always come in handy, especially on its complex point B.

4- Ascent is the perfect FPS map

Ascent has a unique automatic door feature, but it is still the most traditional FPS map in Valorant.

Players love this simple yet complex location for its expansive bomb points divided by a vast middle area. Teams must bring a blend of thought-out strategies and crisp aim in order to win a game on Ascent. The classic location calls for strategic depth, making it an enjoyable map.

5- Fracture adds variety to Valorant

While many hate the new Valorant map Fracture, it’s actually not the worst. Gameplay-wise, the location brings tons of variety to Valorant gameplay.

Fracture will force players to adopt new strategies, communicate with teammates, and pick new agents in order to win. Its H-shape design might make it a pain to play, but the layout is at par with some of the best maps in Valorant.

6- Bind’s teleporters are a killjoy

Bind continues to be at the bottom for its confusing layout that makes it tough to defend a site. While rotating sites is easier due to the small size of Bind, attackers often abuse the TPs to troll.

7- Haven is the worst Valorant map

Triple bomb point layout on Haven failed to hit the mark for lower rank players. While this site is a breeze on the attacker side, defense becomes impossible in solo queues.

How many maps is Valorant?

There are currently seven playable maps in VALORANT, with an additional one for practice and training new players.

What are the 4 maps in Valorant?

Riot Games’ Valorant is a team FPS that has seven maps to play on: Breeze, Bind, Split, Haven, Ascent, Icebox, and Fracture. The goal is to plant or defend against a bomb (a “spike”.)

Which is the best Valorant map?

The office-like location continues to be the best in Valorant for its impeccable indoor-outdoor balance and layout that lets all agents shine through. A risky middle area with Spike points that are tough to break open makes Split your ideal first-person shooter map.

Is ascent T or CT sided?

Ascent is one of Valorant’s more balanced maps ⁠— it can truly come down to just gunplay. However, with the right strategies, you can make it as attacker or defender-sided as you want ⁠— whichever plays in your favor.