Valorant 10.0 map rotation drops an iconic map

Valorant patch 10.0 will be an interesting one because Riot is dropping the game’s most iconic map from the rotation to make space for Fracture and Lotus.

In Valorant episode 5, Riot introduced map rotation with the aim of providing enough variety without making it too challenging for players to learn and master multiple maps at once. In every other act, maps would rotate out to keep the experience fresh, but one map has remained a constant. Since the addition of map rotation in 2022, Ascent hasn’t been removed even once, but that’s about to change.

All 11 Valorant maps have been removed from the rotation at some point to make room for new additions, except for Sunset and Ascent. Sunset has remained in the rotation because it’s still a relatively new map, while Ascent has held a permanent spot for reasons that remain unclear. However, Riot has revealed that both maps will be removed in Valorant Patch 10.0, marking the end of an era.

Will Ascent be playable in Valorant patch 10.0 map rotation?

Riot is removing Ascent and Sunset from Valorant’s map rotation in patch 10.0.

On November 22, Riot took to X to confirm that it is shelving the iconic map, Ascent, from the rotation for the time being. Ascent is the oldest map in VALORANT and is well-known as the setting for the First Light event. Whether its prolonged inclusion was due to sentimental value or technical considerations remains unclear, but many fans are pleased to see it moving to the side for now.

With that, players will be glad to know that Fracture is returning to the Valorant map rotation in patch 10.0. The lore-heavy locale has been out of the pool for over a year, whereas Lotus was removed fairly recently in Episode 8. Alongside the removal of Ascent, these maps will add a fresh twist to the stagnant map pool.

So far, player reaction has been a mix of shock and gratitude, but for the most part, fans are happy with the upcoming Valorant map rotation.

Beyond that, little is known about Valorant patch 10.0. The announcement of the map rotation comes a few days after the rollout of patch 9.10. The update made a number of major changes to the game including Phoenix buffs and the introduction of Regen Shields. This also came alongside Riot Games leaking a new Valorant agent.