Summary
Duelist Iso’s arrival inValorantis part of the game’s push to further diversify its current meta. Iso’s kit is comprised of a moving wall, Vulnerable procs, per-kill shielding, and forced duels in tandem with harsher aggressor punishments from Sentinel Cypher’s utilities. When combined with Sentinel Deadlock’s nigh-impenetrable wall and almost-instant-kill web trap, some teams may need to rethink their overall compositions. Specifically, teams that rely on flying Jetts, sniping Chambers, and smoking Brimstone may need an upgrade.
With the newest Agents in mind, popularValorantteam compositions may need to adjust, especially when it comes to specific maps. While the traditional combo of a detection Initiator, smoking Controller, and forward Duelist usually works, certainValorantmaps require more intentional strategies.
Updated on August 05, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With Vyse switching upValorantmeta with her deployable flash, wall-separating trip, and anti-Primary Ultimate, fans of the FPS title might be eager to test her out in the game’s different maps - especially the no-edges hellscape of the Abyss and against fellow newcomer Clove and her more aggressive Controller gameplay. And with new updates revealing adjustments to Phoenix, Sage and Cypher, a nerf to Gekko, and a significant boost to Chamber’s playability, fans might be intrigued as to how all these elements play out in the Competitive Meta. Interestingly enough, it seems the meta composition for the new Abyss map is comprised of reliable classic Agents, particularly the title’s go-to smoker, vertical-dominating Duelist, bot-deploying hard defender, and long-distance Initiators.
Win Rate
58.89% (53/90 Picks)
UnlikeotherValorantmaps,Abysstakes the game’s physics to the next level with its lack of invisible edges. This means anyone who missteps past its narrow bridges (B-Site Danger, A-Site Bridge) or miscalculates jumps on mid (Catwalk, Library, Top-Mid) will meet instant death before even getting a chance to frag. These elements, on top of its ridiculously spacious mid-area contrasting its small Sites, make Abyss the right playground for movement-heavy, long-distance, and site-controlling Agents.
A dual-Initiator setup withKAY/OandSovacan accommodate technical long-distance angles for detection (Sova’s Recon Bolt) and wide-area intel with an AOE detect-silence (KAY/O’s knife). The tight-knit Sites also makeCyphera viable Sentinel, courtesy of his Tripwires. Meanwhile, teleports from ControllerOmenand floaties from DuelistJettcan bypass the map’s trickier edgeless locales. Spamming smokes from the two Agents can also spell trouble for defenders and retakers, as those who aren’t careful can be lured into death falls or guaranteed one-shots.
48.19% (226/469 Picks)
Despite its standard two-Site setup, the floating island ofAscentis notable for features such as alternate Site entrances via mechanical doors. It also has a more active mid-map area, courtesy of defensively-walled B-Side Mid-Link opposite a vertically-advantaged A-Side Catwalk. Hard turns and the abundance of corners make this ideal for skills that detect foes, such as ricochetingSovarecon bolts and coverage-reliantKAY/Oknives.
Ascent’s open areas also provide better map control, courtesy ofOmen’ssmokes and teleports for rat-spot defense, orJettusing aerial dashes for the unsuspecting entries and flanks. Ease of rotation between Sites can encourage split-bot setups withKilljoy,allowing her toguard both Sitesor focus on defense with her Lockdown Ultimate whenever necessary.
46.28% (56/121 Picks)
The desert landscape ofBindis made even morememorable with its teleporters. The teleporters are only operable from the inside, which givesGekkosurprising utility coverage. Holding A-Cubby gives Dizzy the opportunity to detect enemies early, while convenient Moshpit placements can provide solid defense regardless if enemies come from A-Short or A-Baths. This enables smokes viaBrimstoneand walls fromViperto better assert control over the compact map.
Likewise, the map’s tighter corners makeRazea nightmare to face. Her aerial maneuverability via Satchels and her grenades can easily score frags on enemies clustered together. Working in a similar capacity isFade, whose distance-based detects and homing blinds can transform her into an aggressive lurker or retaker.
49.61% (190/383 Picks)
The reworkedBreezenow features more long-distance sections and critical corners. Thus, it can become a mobile playground for aerialJett. However, more prominent blockers (Mid-Pillars, A-Pyramids) encourage precise detections fromSovarecon bolts, and area-wideKAY/Oknives to counter rat spots.
The network of corridors on both Breeze’s sides facilitates quick rotations, encouraging more deliberate monitoring with buffedCypherand hiscams and trips. Alternatively, usingViperwalls and smokes can seal choke points for map control.
53.60% (216/403 Picks)
The three-Site setup ofHavencanfacilitate traditional close-ranged fightsand long-ranged plays. This reduces encounters to tests of a player’s gunplay skill. Such a requirement can be upturned byOmen,who can deny vision in crucial spots, andNeon,whose aggressive speed can punish early aggressors or force defenders out.
Since most Haven Sites have tight spaces for entry,Breachexcels in close plays with his short-ranged flashes and concussions. Should enemies decide to approach from afar, Tripwires fromCypherand a well-placed recon bolt fromSovashould declare their positions for a swift counter via rotation.
53.49% (46/86 Picks)
The reworkedIceboxemphasized more B-Site plays, effectively forcing Attackers to get more intentional when pushing into the Site: get aggressive when taking Green and while defending Yellow. Verticality remains a fundamental map component, encouragingJett (Duelist)to use her Updrafts and infamous smokes to secure entries. This more aggressive approach encouragesSova (Initiator)to take the lead with more angled Recon Bolts and Shock Darts to clear areas.
Icebox’s more angles to play with meanKilljoy (Sentinel)is suitable to defend Sites or even flanks with her Turret, Alarm Bot, and Swarm Grenades. Meanwhile,Viper(Controller) smokes, and her wall can decisively push Sites or cut Attackers out.Gekko(Initiator)remains apractical pick for utilities, with Dizzy providing nifty blinds and detections while Moshpit is a formidable molly for site control. Being able to plant and defuse the Spike at a distance with Wingman can become an immense advantage to teams who utilize this buddy properly.
55.15% (75/136 Picks)
The slow domination of the dual Controller meta in the team-based FPS is becoming more prominent with theLotusrework. If C-Site got fewer rat spots, B-Site got a smaller plant zone, and A-Site got more defendable Attacker areas, then it’s up to players to reassert control over the battlefield with tricky plays. The more straightforward Lotus is a welcome sight forRaze (Duelist)who can Satchel and bomb her way into Sites or go aggressive on the defense when pursuing Attackers. The relative open spaces of A-Site and C-Site pathways make it easy forFade (Initiator)to dominate detections with her throwable eye more efficiently compared toSkye’s flashes.
Given Lotus’s relatively large map size,Killjoy (Sentinel)can defend at least two locations (at least one Site and/or flank) with her Turret, bots, and grenades. Sites become easier to shut downViper (Controller)with her poison kit, whileOmen (Controller)can take advantage of chaotic Site contests by killing lurks.
37.50% (3/8 Matches)
WhileSplitremains cramped but traversable, match-ups encourage a more balanced team comp while retaining dual-Controller domination. BombardierRaze (Duelist)and her explosive kit make her deadlier than Jett, essential for the map’s abundance of corners. A solo detector likeSkye (Initiator)should be sufficient to declare entries in an area, with emergency heals perfect for post-Plants and firefights. Tripwires fromCypher (Sentinel)make him great for holding Sites or securing flanks, with his Camera effectively becoming a sixth team member that can detect enemies.
Numerous corners and different Site entrances are perfect for lurkers likeOmen (Controller), whose smokes can conceal areas and even themselves for surprise attacks muchlike Astra’s smokes. Finishing the dual-Controller roster isViper (Controller), whose poison wall and smokes can effectively seal areas and deter approaches to locations.
51.05% (190/365 Picks)
As a map with asurprisingly healthy amount of covers and corners, the overall layout and theme surroundingSunsetmakes it reminiscent of a “traditional” gunplay-focusedCounter-Strikemap. This is reflected in its ideal comp made of aggressive entries and intense zone control. The short proximity of most corners make entries and counter-entries a breeze for InitiatorBreach, with Aftershock bringing in the pain for unsuspecting enemies clustered pre-entry. This is especially helpful with SentinelCypher, whose Tripwires can abuse the abundance of corners that can cover Site propers and secondary entrances (B-Market and A-Elbow) - holding off attackers just enough for a counter-offensive.
Breach can use his blinding Flashpoint and concussing Fault Line to set up quick Bucky shots to the face with a speedster DuelistNeonor lurking ControllerOmen. Lastly, InitiatorSovahas a multi-faceted kit that can be deployed from the safety of covers, as he can Recon Bolt or Shock Dart across almost any part of the map.
11.71% (26/222)
57.69% (15/26)
WhileFractureis outside the currentValorantmap rotation for Unrated/Competitive, thecross-patterned mapis known for its mid-area Defender Spawn. Players have quick access to Sites in the east and west, an interchanging zipline that connects a northern area and the southern Attacker Spawn, and three paths for entering each Site. The multiple traversal routes make detection decisions crucial. Recon bolts fromSovaand a turret fromKilljoyare helpful in establishing where enemies are located.
From here,Brimstonecan forcibly take control of the map with his smokes to lure enemies along certain pathways. This way,Breach’sclose-ranged kit can shine in slowing down enemies, whileRazecapitalizes on sharp angles for quick kills and molly frags.
