Valorant maps have their strengths and flaws, some being easier to play on, while others are easier. In this article, I will be ranking the maps in rotation for competitive queue from my favorite to least favorite.
Sunset
Sunset being the newest map, takes the spot as my favorite. Playing both attack and defense are enjoyable as the map isn’t heavily favored towards one side. Attacking can be frustrating at times if you don’t have the right composition when the enemy has a Cypher. Dealing with those tripwires will be annoying if you can’t break it with utility.
Ascent
Ascent has been in the game since the start, but still is enjoyable to play on. This map is more defensive sided, so attacking can be difficult at times. However, the strategy is to take map control and look for picks most of the time. Otherwise you just rush the site that is weaker.
Lotus
Lotus is another good map in the competitive queue cycle. The newest changes that were made to it, were definitely good for the map. The changes on c makes it easier for attackers to plant safe because they can’t get wall-banged anymore. The changes on A and B were also a great addition for the defense side as well, there is more room on B, and on A, defenders can push up more easily.
Icebox
Icebox is also another decent map. The only thing I don’t like about this map is pushing on A. On duelist, I often struggle on entry because of how small the site is. People often push up or play in a way that counters my entry. Otherwise defense and pushing B are both fine. Something to be careful about when pushing B, is if a defender pushes up to garage with a shotgun. That is very deadly, at least once every other game someone does that and they end up getting at least 3 kills each time.
Bind
Bind has also been in the game for a while, however, this map by no means is one I like. I don’t like attacking either site, both are painful if the enemy has a Cypher or Killjoy. Pushing A-short and hookah on B are both problems that need to be fixed. Both are like death traps as everyone funnels into there and could end up dying together. Shotguns in hookah are very annoying to clear out without utility.
Split
Attacking on Split is very difficult in my opinion. If you don’t take mid control, then you will struggle on attack. When you don’t take mid control, then that is one less thing for the defenders to watch. They can easily find out which site your team is pushing by sending a person to clear the other site. I feel like the only way to balance out the map more is by making major changes to the map itself.
Breeze
Breeze has to be my least favorite map. Pushing both sites if the enemy has a Cypher is very annoying without Sova to clear out the trips. Along with that, the map is very defensive sided, so attacking is very difficult. Operators are overpowered on this map, holding A-main with an operator pretty much guarantees no entry onto the site. Lurking is pretty much needed on this map if you want to win.
