The perfect guide to play Ascent in Valorant

Ascent is among the longest-standing maps in Valorant, and for players who still haven’t mastered it, this is the perfect guide.

In Valorant, spending hours breaking wrists inside The Range and aim training matters, but it is barely enough to win the game. For players who want to get that juicy win streak and fast rank-ups, they must also get the hang of all maps in the current roster and learn their ins and outs. As a beginner, doing so is not going to be easy, but mastering one of Valorant’s first maps Ascent is a solid start.

The map has a simple layout with only a few complex mechanics, but learning several strategies and setups could make the difference between winning and losing rounds and ultimately the game itself.

Valorant Ascent map overview

Ascent is one of the ten maps in Valorant and features a three-lane layout split into two bomb sites. 

It is the first playable map in the game, and interestingly, it has never left the competitive map pool even once and has received no game-changing alterations in previous years. This is mainly due to its more straightforward design compared to the rest of the map roster. This Italian-themed map has a fair dose of long-range and close-quarters combat, perfect for all weapons from shotguns to rifles to snipers.

The map also features two mechanical doors that lead toward each bomb site, a gimmick that’s unique in Ascent.

Guide for attackers on Ascent

Players have a higher chance of struggling as attackers than defenders due to Ascent being defender-sided. However, if they know how to utilize the two routes leading to A and B sites, they can tilt the scale in their favor.

Especially on a map like Ascent, rushing into sites is not usually ideal unless the team can quickly take over the site and eliminate all opponents in one go. Typically, teams tend to play default. Defaulting refers to a strategy where players spread across the map, gather information, and pick off enemies before committing to a specific site. This approach can also bait rotations and deny space to defenders attempting to flank.

A site

Starting from the first site, attackers have two ways to enter A site, either through A main or mid cubby.

It’s generally more convenient to choose the former, as there are fewer angles and spots to check, and it’s also the fastest route. When opting for a take through A main, be careful of aggressive defenders peeking from A site, A main, or those hiding at A wine.

Before entering A site, utilize every recon drone and other info-gathering utilities that make clearing sites way easier. Smoke off A heaven and doors to block the line of sight of players who may be positioned in those areas, and thoroughly check all areas inside the site, especially generator, dice, and hell, where defenders often hide. Meanwhile, one player should go and close the door using the switch. On Ascent, closing the door makes retaking the site a lot more difficult.

For planting spots,  it’s best to choose either of these areas shown above. This allows the team to play for post-plant as attackers can position themselves at A main and tree. When done right, this could give defenders a hard time defusing the spike.

Mid

Entering each site in Valorant only through A main and B main is often not the ideal move, especially when these areas are heavily contested or saturated with utility ready to be popped.

Mid is a large area, and typically players will find themselves involved in long-distance fights. There is also a chance they will encounter defenders holding mid with an Operator. In this situation, the controller needs to smoke off either mid bottom or mid cubby to isolate fights or prevent themselves from being seen.

Players can instead take this route as five, or do a split push. The latter is the best option though as it forces defenders to use their abilities across different areas and defend them all simultaneously.

B site

Similar to A site, players can take space towards the B site through B main or mid.

When attacking B site, players should consider several factors. B site is typically where sentinels like Killjoy and Cypher deploy their setups. This is all thanks to B site’s narrow pathways and confined spaces, which make it hard for players to escape once caught by these traps. That said, it is important to have agents in the team who can dismantle and disrupt these setups like Sova and Kay/o, or those who can simply jump or fly over them like Jett and Raze.

Moreover, there are plenty of hiding spots on this site such as logs, switch, and boathouse. Use recon and other abilities that can reveal enemies, or throw mollies to kill or at least flush them out.

On the flip side, controllers should be able to block off market and CT with their smokes. Once in, one player should also head towards the B shed and activate the switch to close the door.

Lastly, the ideal spots for planting the spike are either behind dice or in the corner near boathouse. These are common planting spots on this site as they protect the planter from being shot at by defenders attempting to retake the site.

Guide for defenders on Ascent

As mentioned above, defenders have a huge upper hand on Ascent. Defenders spawn is much closer to both sites, meaning they will take less time to rotate. 

A-site

When defending A-site, players could play passively or aggressively.

If defenders detect enemy presence around A-main, A-lobby, or mid, they can simply smoke off chokepoints and use abilities like mollies, walls, and traps to delay enemy pushes. However, defenders can also play aggressively by smoking deep and using one-way smokes between A-main and A-lobby to gain more space. With good aim and effective use of utilities, attackers will find it challenging to secure control of A-main.

As much as possible, defenders must gather early information and prevent attackers from planting on this site, as A-site is much more difficult to retake.

Mid

Mid control is crucial for Ascent. If defenders manage to prevent attackers from taking any space in mid, it limits the options attackers have when playing on this map.

When guarding mid, it is best to hold weapons that excel in long-range fights like the Vandal and Operator. Now, the best pick for this role is obviously either Jett or Chamber who shines best when it comes to holding snipers. They can position themselves at mid cubby or mid bottom to eliminate attackers attempting to peek from A tiles or A top mid.

Defenders could also utilize smokes to deny enemies vision and information and force them to do a risky swing or waste their abilities.

B site

As defenders, players must prevent attackers from advancing into mid market and the entrance of B site.

On B site, there are several agents that can do the job better than others. This includes Sova, Fade, Killjoy, and Cypher. First, Sova and Fade could place themselves at B lane and spam an Odin through the wall for easy picks, especially with the help of Recon and Shock Darts. Meanwhile, sentinels like Killjoy and Cypher could leave their setups around the entrance, B lane, or site.  Either of these strats could make attackers think twice before pushing in, maybe even giving up the space altogether.

Guide to the best agents for Ascent

The best agents on Ascent in Valorant include Jett, Killjoy, Sova, Kay/o and Omen.

Best duelist for Ascent? It has to be Jett. Despite being dragged down by nerfs, Jett continues to reign on almost every map, and Ascent is not an exception to this. Taking space on such a big map like Ascent is easy with her top-tier mobility. She can dash into the site, exploit off-angles, and counter sentinel setups. But what makes her almost a must-pick agent in Valorant, both in competitive and pro scene, is her dash ability Tailwind. With this ability, she can peek risky angles and dash to safety, denying potential trades. This reason basically makes her the queen of the Operator.

Ascent is one of the maps where Sova shines best. Sova’s recon dart can reach almost any area across the map and even cover an entire site with the help of simple or pixel-perfect lineups. The map’s paper-thin wall also makes it an easy playground for him. All he has to do is reveal the enemy position with his recon and spam with an Odin for easy kills. Meanwhile, his drone makes clearing corners easier.

Another initiator agent that’s good on Ascent is Kay/o. In Valorant, only Kay/o has the ability to suppress enemies’ abilities, which can come in handy both during attacking and defending.  Teamed up with Sova’s info-gathering abilities, they can easily pinpoint enemy locations and manage engagements more effectively. Kay/o’s mollies are also great for clearing out tight spots and corners.

On the other hand, Omen has Paranoia and two teleport abilities that can help him seize space and disorient opponents. What makes him the ideal controller on Ascent is that his smoke is perfect for maps where default and slow plays are common. Omen’s smokes regenerate, so players won’t have to worry about running out. Plus, he is one of few agents who can execute one-way smokes.

Finally, Killjoy remains a threat on this map whether playing as an attacker or defender. On defense, she sets up her gadgets and sometimes picks off a couple of enemies. Meanwhile, her Turret and Alarmbot cover flanks and her mollies are handy for post-plant situations when attacking. To cap it all off, she’s got Lockdown, which makes players think twice about pushing any further.