Learn how to tackle one of Valorant’s most iconic maps with a complete guide to dominating on Split.
Riot Games likes to throw a unique twist in each Valorant map with ascenders being Split’s gimmick. The interactable ropes are present in three different spots. One can be used to get up from sewer to A lobby, another goes from B tower to hell, and finally, one helps players navigate through vents. All three allow for quick rotations, making Split a defender-sided map. However, attackers who are either in a full stack or have communicative teammates will find it easier to navigate Split’s congested alleys and break through mid, which is the weakest spot for defenders. However, it’s generally a good idea to step into Split prepared with the best Valorant agents that shine on this labyrinth of a map.
As a rule of thumb, picking the right agent for Split is a good place to start.
If players are confused about who to pick on Split, here’s the ultimate tier list for the best agents to play on Valorant map Split.
Split is home turf for sentinels and duelists. Due to accessible routes that allow defenders to flank the attackers, teams want to have at least two sentinels on their rosters. Locking those backlines is exceptionally crucial. On defense, sentinels can help put tight bolts on narrow entryways that become hard to defend if the enemy has agents like Viper, Jett, or Neon.
Similar to Ascent, a double sentinel setup works flawlessly on Split. Smokers are useful, but only those that bring more value besides sight-blockers. For example, Brimstone’s ultimate can be a game-changer to catch enemies trapped in B main, and Omen’s teleport could be useful in catching enemies off guard.
Split’s narrow entryways and verticality may not favor attackers, but playing the map right can lead to a decisive victory. To reach that 13th-round mark, it’s first crucial to understand which site is easier to hit. Layout-wise, A is more accessible, but that may change based on the agents the enemy is playing.
A site is generally easier due to its dual entryways, reducing congestion on A main and making it harder for enemies like Raze or Viper to earn early damage with their ad-clearing abilities. To enter A, players may first want to smoke out screens and rafters.
Once those two angles are blocked, a Jett or Neon player must always rush toward towers, and others should gain entry into the site. With this setup, they’ll only have to worry about one player on A site unless the defender on the screen pushes through the smoke.
Alternatively, teams may take a risky route and do an unorthodox Viper screen to block out the entire A site and rafters above. In this setup, teams need a flasher like Kay/O to quickly block out any enemies behind the screen. Next, rush towards the tower to gain complete control of the map. From here, they can either break into mid vent or enter A site from screens.
B site is an absolute no-go to attack on Split if the enemy team has Killjoy or Cypher. One of the sentinels is always going to lock down the entrance with their bots and traps. It’s best not to take risks and always pick Kay/O on Split. Before entering the site, toss in his knife to disable all utilities. Of course, this strategy is a no-brainer when teams have Kay/O on their lineup, but it’s not the end of the world if they can’t disable Killjoy with a suppressor.
In that case, always drop a larger smoke like Omen or Brimstone’s to block back B. Now, slowly walk into the alley and listen for buzzing Trap Wires or Nano Swarms. Destroy nearby utility and pick a duel with the first enemy that pops in. Usually, it’s going to be an OP on Heaven or a sneaky enemy in TV. To make the site easier, it’s recommended that Neon or Jett run into it. This is because defenders on B will always have an advantage against enemies walking into congested alleys.
If teams want to really go the extra mile, they can always pop in Viper’s molotov towards back B and TV to make the site take easier, but they’ll need some lineups.
The best way to navigate Split is by taking mid-control. Teams will need heavy utility from crowd controllers and an ace OPer to take mid control. Unlike other maps where they can afford to play it by ear after breaking mid, Split requires a more proactive approach. Teams must commit to a site before making their push, as the map’s unique layout and timing leave little room for indecision.
If a team plans on hitting A, mid mail needs to be blocked. Have Omen throw his smoke towards mail and then try to tenderize and push away the enemy on vent. This can be done using Raze’s grenades or Killjoy’s Nano Swarm. Now, walk forward and finish off the enemy on Vent. Taking mid control solo is never a good idea, so make sure to have a backup. Once a team has vent control, they can easily destroy enemies on A.
Mid control offers a distinct advantage when pushing B, as the layout funnels enemies into an unfavorable firing position. Seize this opportunity by deploying Brimstone or Omen to block the vent, then seal the deal with a molotov to create an impenetrable barrier. Once that’s locked, walk into mail with a teammate and try to take down any enemy waiting in heaven.
Defenders should have an easier time on Split, but a slight misstep can guide them to a swift loss. To avoid that, defenders should ensure that they pick at least one sentinel and post them on B site. On A site, duelists can help act as both an initiator and an aggressor.
Defenders usually hit A directly from A main. If a team has Fade, it’s best to toss in her Haunt or Prowler early in the round to gather some intel. If not, they must at least have Raze to decide how to play the round. In the first few seconds, have Raze release her Boom Bot from A main towards the entrance. If enemies are detected, Raze should throw in her grenades to tenderize them and then instantly pull back.
Now that they have intel, the player playing screens can move deeper into the site to avoid getting blocked by smoke. Attackers will also try to gain control of the tower if it’s a fast push. In that case, teams may want to use any and all crowd control utility to buy time for backup. Killjoy’s Lockdown or Viper’s Pit are some of the best utilities to use on A to slow down attackers.
If the spike hasn’t been spotted and it’s only one or two enemies at max, hold on to smokes and molotovs and rely on aim fights. The player on site should always play passive while the one player on tower can peak towards A main on the back of a flash.
B site is a playground for Killjoy and Cypher mains. If the enemy team doesn’t have a Kay/O, they should only post one sentinel on this site while two tackle mid and two hold on A. But, if they do have access to a suppressor, have Killjor or Cypher play B as an anchor and keep one duelist on heaven to watch mail. The heaven player must alternate between B tower and mail to ensure the anchor isn’t left alone in the chaos.
Killjoy’s turret is a great tool for tackling incoming attackers on B. They should place it on TV to force incoming attackers into an odd aiming position or on B board to keep them away early in the round. However, the second option makes the bot vulnerable to attackers who can easily break it down. If they’re placing it on B board, they may want to peek constantly to take down enemies as soon as they aim at the turret.
Cypher’s traps work best right at the end of the alley or in the middle of the board and pillar since that’s where enemies instantly run towards. If a squad doesn’t have both sentinels, all hope isn’t lost. Viper is a great controller for Split B site. Her long-lasting smoke is an excellent tool to block B entry permanently.
Mid on Split should be easy to defend if one player is constantly playing mail. Chamber is an excellent pick for vents. Thanks to his golden gun, he doesn’t need an OP to take down enemies with a single bullet. Deploying Sage wall early in the round is another great way to close mid for 35 seconds. Of course, the attackers can always destroy it, but there’s no better way to use the barrier on Split than blocking mid.
If attackers smoke out vents, stepping away and rotating towards B from defenders spawn is best. The mail player should also avoid picking a fight, especially if there are multiple enemies rushing in. It’s best to throw a smoke or a molotov to run towards B site or stairs and wait for backup. At this point, agent advantage should be a priority.
If attackers try to break into vents, the player holding it is advised to take down as many enemies as possible as rushing back into the tower is a risky maneuver. They may likely end up dead while trying to use the rope, so it’s best to do as much damage as possible before trying to escape. For vents, a team’s priority should be to gather valuable information before getting eliminated.
Using these tips, players may be able to breeze through the ranks and win RR in your ranked games on Split.
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