If you’re a Valorant player then you know that knowing your map pool is crucial to success. The maps in rotation determine everything from the Agents you main to the strategies you employ with your team. Riot Games regularly updates the map pool, adding new maps while rotating others in and out to maintain a fresh and balanced experience.
In Valorant Map Pool Episode 8 Act 3, which is currently live, seven maps are in the competitive rotation: Ascent, Bind, Breeze, Icebox, Lotus, Split, and Sunset. No matter which game mode you play – Unrated, Competitive, Swiftplay, or others – these are the maps you can expect to encounter.
Maps in the current pool
Ascent
It features a Venetian-style Italian design that makes this fan-favorite map a draw. Its unusual formation and lines of view make it ideal for both long range encounters and close skirmishes.
Bind
Bind is notable for its teleporters – something no other map has. These teleporters allow players to move around quickly and require constant focus and flexibility.
Breeze
Breeze, Valorant’s beach-themed map, forces players to master long-range combat while maneuvering its vast layout, rewarding agents with strong area control and mobility.
Icebox
This icy battlefield was the first map to incorporate horizontal ziplines specifically on the A site. With varying elevations and plenty of cover, Icebox offers a unique tactical experience.
Lotus
As Valorant’s second three-site map, Lotus introduces unique features like rotating doorways and a destructible wall, offering strategic options and challenges for players to explore.
Split
Split’s complex urban terrain, characterized by multi-level structures and tight passageways, demands that players adapt to the challenges of navigating elevated and ground-level positions.
Sunset
Boasting a classic layout with two spike sites and three distinct lanes, Sunset embraces a traditional map design while incorporating mechanical doors reminiscent of those found on Ascent.
New Maps on the Horizon
While the competitive map rotation remains unchanged for Episode 8 Act 3, a breath of fresh air may be just around the corner. According to recent leaks, Riot Games is planning to introduce a new map called Bastion following the conclusion of the VCT Masters Shanghai.
Bastion appears to be a smaller map, potentially designed for Team Deathmatch rather than competitive play. However, details are still scarce, and Riot has yet to officially announce the new map.
Other Maps in Valorant
In addition to the competitive maps, Valorant also features the Range, a practice area where players can test their skills, and several Team Deathmatch maps: District, Drift, Kasbah, and Piazza.
There are also two full maps currently not in the competitive rotation: Fracture and Haven. Haven is particularly unique, featuring an unconventional three-spike site structure that challenges players to continuously adjust their strategies.
Riot’s Map Design Philosophy
Valorant Lead Map Designer Joe Lansford says that seven maps are being kept in the competitive pool for that reason. But Lansford said that too many maps would make for a “long learning curve for players, who would have to memorize a ton of new angles, positions and tactics each time they came up against it.”
“The team thinks seven is a nice sweet spot that offers both variety and mastery,” Lansford said. “You don’t have to spend all your time learning new angles, lineups, and strategies. New players will have an easier onboarding experience.”
Rotating maps in and out of the competitive pool provides Riot with variety without sacrificing mastery–keeping the gameplay fresh while allowing players to get a feel for how each map plays.
Whether you are an old Valorant or a relative newcomer, knowing the current map pool in episode 8 act 3, and what changes are coming is important. With new maps coming and Riot aiming for a balanced and fun experience, the Valorant map pool will certainly keep evolving with new challenges and experiences for players to explore.
