Split Valorant is one of the most iconic maps in the game, offering a unique combination of verticality, tight chokepoints, and strategic opportunities. As players continue to master Valorant, understanding the layout and features of the Split Valorant map is essential for success.
This article serves as a complete guide to the Split Valorant, exploring its key features, common strategies, and tips for both attackers and defenders. We’ll break down the best approaches to each area of the map, identify important angles, and provide tactical advice to help you excel.
What’s Split in Valorant?
Split Valorant is one of the most iconic maps, recognized for its vertical design, tight choke points, and strategic high-ground areas like Heaven and Tower.
Set in a futuristic cityscape, Split challenges players to master close-quarters combat and smart utility usage to control narrow pathways and layered angles. With two bomb sites separated by tight mid control, teamwork and precision are essential.
Split Map Valorant: Key Features and Tactical Identity
The Split Valorant is one of the game’s most iconic and strategically complex battlegrounds. Introduced during the beta phase, Split stands out due to its unique blend of verticality, tight corridors, and area control challenges.
Its return to the competitive map pool reignited debates around its design and how teams must adapt to its layered layout.
Visual style and location
Set in a futuristic version of Tokyo, Japan, Split features a cyberpunk-industrial aesthetic. Neon signs, towering skyscrapers, metal catwalks, and urban congestion aren’t just visual elements, they influence gameplay by limiting visibility, mobility, and safe movement.
The overall design of the Valorant Split map gives players a constant sense of being cornered. Narrow pathways, compact staircases, and multiple elevations demand calculated positioning.
Key zones such as Heaven, Mail Room, and Ropes often become battlegrounds where a single mistake can cost the round.
Tactical mechanics: ropes and tight angles
One of Split’s defining features is its use of vertical ropes, which create key rotation options between critical areas. While they enable mobility, they also produce sound cues that can give away a player’s position making their use a tactical risk.
There are two main rope areas in Split map Valorant:
- Mid Vent Rope: Connects Mid to A Heaven;
- B Tower Rope (Mail Room): Links B Heaven to B Site.
These ropes introduce a vertical layer of gameplay unseen in most other maps, requiring players to manage audio cues, timing, and flank awareness.
In addition, Split is infamous for its tight corners and choke points, which naturally favor defenders. Areas like A Ramp and B Main are narrow enough that attackers must rely heavily on smokes, flashes, and molotovs to safely enter.
Mid control: the key to victory
While both bombsites (A and B) are accessible through narrow paths, mid control is arguably the most important part of Split. Controlling Mid allows teams to:
- Execute split pushes onto A or B sites;
- Apply pressure to B Heaven or Mail Room;
- Cut off defensive rotations;
- Set up multi-angle retakes.
Teams that neglect Mid often find themselves trapped by well-positioned defenders with superior map awareness.
Full map layout of Split
Below is a full visual of the Split map, featuring marked choke points, rope positions, control zones, and tactical entry points for both attackers and defenders.
Split Valorant Best Agents
What are the best agents for Split Valorant? With tight corridors, limited entry points, and vertical duels, choosing the Split Valorant Best Agents is crucial for a strategic advantage. This map heavily favors agents with area control, explosive movement, and tools to challenge short angles.
Below, we break down the top agents by side, based on the current meta and effective team comps.
Attack
Attacking on Split can feel overwhelming, but with the right agent composition, teams can break through defensive lines with coordinated pressure. The key is to mix fast entries, vision denial, and distraction plays to disrupt defensive setups. Top attacking agents:
- Raze: The ideal duelist for Split. Her grenades and ultimate are devastating in tight spaces. Satchels also give her the mobility to reach Heaven or escape tricky situations.
- Neon: Perfect for fast rotations and mid pressure. Her sprint makes navigating straight lanes easier, while her energy walls cut off enemy vision during executes.
- Breach: A great initiator on this map, with utility that pierces walls. His Aftershock is perfect for clearing common setups and forcing defenders out of corners.
- Skye: Guided flashes let her scout tight corners safely. Her healing also adds value in post-plants and coordinated site takes.
- Omen: One of the best controllers for Split. His smokes block critical angles like Heaven and Ramps, and his teleport creates flanking threats or quick repositioning.
Defense
On defense, Split rewards teams that slow down enemy pushes, delay site control, and punish careless entries. Agents with traps, recon tools, and zone denial are extremely effective. Top defensive agents:
- Killjoy: The strongest sentinel for Split. Her turret and alarmbots cover B Main and Mid rotations well. Her lockdown ultimate can halt full-site takes instantly.
- Cypher: With properly placed cameras and tripwires, Cypher can lock down A Site and Mid Vents efficiently. He’s excellent for gathering intel and delaying entries.
- Viper: An underrated pick on Split. Her toxic wall can split sites in half, and her ultimate is oppressive in tight spaces like B Site.
- Astra: A complete controller with global utility. Her stars allow for stunning choke points, delaying rushes, and setting up perfect retakes.
- Chamber: Even after nerfs, Chamber is useful for aggressive peeks — especially mid. His teleport allows for quick disengages and early picks.
Tactical Tips and Area Control
Controlling the Split Valorant map isn’t just about moving quickly or having good aim—it’s about how you use the Split Valorant map to your advantage. The way you control entry points and use your utilities can be the difference between winning or losing a round.
Let’s dive into the key entry points on Split and how to use smokes, flashes, and sentinels to ensure a strategic edge.
Priority Entry Points on Split Valorant
In Split Valorant Map, one of the biggest challenges is controlling Mid. Whoever controls this area gains quick access to both sites and can cut off defenders’ rotations. Moving through Mid allows for fast, unpredictable attacks, but it requires careful planning. Here are the key entry points to focus on:
- B Main: This is the primary entry for the B site, and often where the attack begins. To ensure a successful execution, it’s essential to apply pressure here with utilities like smokes and flashes to block the defenders’ vision and force them to reposition. For example, if you’re entering with a Raze, you can throw a grenade early to pressure anyone holding the corner;
- A Ramp: This is one of the more classic entry points to site A, but it’s also one of the most difficult to push. Defenders well-positioned in Heaven or at default have a clear view of the ramp. That’s why using smokes and flashes here is crucial. Agents like Neon or Breach are great for quickly clearing this area, as their abilities can disorient enemies before you even show up;
- Mid Vent: Controlling Mid in Split Map Valorant is vital for controlling the flow of the game. If you and your team can dominate this area, you can split the defenders’ attention and open up routes to attack either A or B. But this control needs to be precise—an early smoke or a well-timed flashbang from Breach can open the way for smoother movements;
- Ropes: The ropes are a key point for performing a rotation or a surprise flank. However, this movement requires caution since the sound is easily heard by defenders. To use these ropes effectively, it’s crucial to move quickly and quietly, or even use smokes to mask the sound and confuse the enemies.
Using Smokes, Flashes, and Sentinels on Split Valorant
Now that we understand the key points, let’s talk about how to effectively use your abilities to control these areas in Split Valorant Map.
Smokes
The use of smokes on the Split Valorant map is essential. If you’re playing Omen, you can use his smokes to block vision from Heaven or Ramps, giving your team room to advance undetected.
A classic example is using Omen’s smoke to block Heaven’s line of sight, allowing your teammates to enter site A without being caught off guard. Similarly, Viper is incredibly effective with her toxic screen, which can divide the map and force defenders into disorganized positions, such as on site B.
Flashes
When trying to break through an entry point, flashes are your allies. If you’re playing Breach, you can use his Flashpoint to blind defenders hiding behind walls, like those in Heaven or site B.
A good example would be entering site B with Breach leading the charge, using Flashpoint to blind the enemies while your team moves in. Similarly, Skye with her guided flashes can help illuminate dark corners in A Ramp or Mid.
Sentinels
Agents like Killjoy and Cypher are crucial for controlling enemy movement. Killjoy is especially good on the Split map Valorant due to her alarmbots and turrets.
Placing her turret on B Main or Mid Vent helps to detect enemy positions, giving your team a heads-up on enemy rotations.
Cypher, on the other hand, with his cameras and tripwires, can gather valuable intel and alert your team about enemy movement, whether it’s on A Ramp or Mid.
Composition Suggestions Table for Split Valorant
Having the right composition is key to success on Split Valorant Map. Some agent combinations are more effective than others, depending on your team’s strategy. Below are the best attacking compositions and defending compositions to help you optimize your plays.
Attacking Composition for Split Valorant
Agent | Role | Justification |
Omen | Controller; | Smokes to block Heaven and Ramps; |
Raze | Duelist; | Grenades and ultimate to pressure tight spaces; |
Breach | Initiator; | Flashpoint and Aftershock to clear angles; |
Skye | Support/Healer; | Flashbangs to reveal corners and healing on executes; |
Neon | Duelist. | Mobility to pressure Mid and quick rotations. |
Defensive Composition for Split Valorant
Agent | Role | Justification |
---|---|---|
Killjoy | Sentinel; | Alarmbots and ultimate to lock down entries; |
Cypher | Sentinel; | Cameras and tripwires to detect enemy entries; |
Viper | Controller; | Toxic Screen to divide sites; |
Chamber | Duelist/Controller; | Aggressive peeks in Mid and teleport for repositioning; |
Astra | Controller. | Stars to block choke points and assist with retakes. |
History and Return of the Split Valorant Map
Split Valorant Map has been one of the most iconic maps in the game since its early days. Originally part of the map pool when Valorant launched in 2020, it quickly became a fan favorite for its unique verticality, strategic mid control, and tight chokepoints.
However, in Episode 3 Act 2, Split was temporarily removed from the active rotation to allow room for other maps and updates.
Entrance and Removal of Split in the Pool
When is Split coming back Valorant? That question was on many players’ minds for months. Fans of the map were eager for its return, and in Episode 5 Act 1, Riot Games made the decision to bring Split back to the map pool. This return was met with excitement from the community, who were happy to see the map return, albeit with some changes and refinements.
Updates and Changes Made to Split
Upon its return, Split underwent several adjustments. The most notable changes were to Mid and the ropes, where Riot made tweaks to improve balance and give both attackers and defenders more options.
These adjustments aimed to make the map more dynamic, keeping its strategic depth while addressing community feedback. Split Valorant remains a key map in the game, offering a blend of tactical challenges and opportunities for players to develop their strategies.
With Split Valorant Map now back in the rotation, players can once again enjoy its unique layout and playstyle. The map’s return marks another step in Riot Games’ commitment to keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting for the community, while continuing to evolve the Split map Valorant experience.
When did Split return to Valorant?
Split made its return to the Valorant map pool in Episode 5 Act 1. After being temporarily removed during Episode 3 Act 2, Split Valorant came back with several updates and changes aimed at improving gameplay balance and providing players with a fresh experience. If you were wondering “when is Split coming back Valorant?”, it’s now actively part of the rotation once again!
What are the best agents for Split?
The best agents for Split Valorant depend on your role and playstyle. On the Split map Valorant, agents like Jett and Reyna are great for attackers due to their mobility and ability to push through choke points quickly. For defenders, Cypher and Killjoy are often considered the best agents for Split Valorant because of their utility in controlling space and holding angles, especially in key areas like Mid and A Site.
Is Split a good map for defense or attack?
Split Valorant offers a balanced challenge for both attackers and defenders. Attackers often prioritize Mid control and quick rotations, while defenders can benefit from the strong verticality and chokepoints the map provides, especially at A Site and B Site. Both sides require solid teamwork and strategic planning, but Split Valorant is known for being a fair and fun map to play on either side.
Don’t let latency hold you back
Split Valorant is back and better than ever. After its temporary removal, it has rejoined the Valorant map pool, offering players a refreshed experience with strategic updates.
If you’re struggling with latency on Split, where tight chokepoints can cause significant delays, ExitLag is the perfect solution. It optimizes your connection, reducing lag and allowing you to perform your best during crucial rounds.
Don’t let latency hold you back, try ExitLag now and improve your connection!
Whether you are an attacker or defender, mastering Split Valorant will take time and practice, but the rewards are worth it.