Best Agents in Valorant for every map

Nikhil Bahuguna
Valorant Agents poster with Viper, Chamber, Jett and Sova

Valorant features a roster of 25 Agents, all of whom come with unique abilities and play different roles during matches. To boost your chances of winning, it’s ideal to pick the best Agents for every map.

With Episode 9 Act 3 in mind, we’ve put together a guide highlighting the Agents best suited to all the maps in the current rotation. These rankings are based on how their abilities function on each map, and how much space they can create for teammates.

Best & worst Valorant Agents on each map

MapBest team compositionWorst Agents to pick
AbyssChamber, Breach, Sova, Jett, HarborOmen, Clove
AscentJett, KAY/O, Killjoy, Omen, SovaDeadlock, Phoenix
BindBrimstone, Cypher, Raze, Skye, ViperDeadlock, Neon
BreezeCypher, Harbor, Jett, Skye, ViperGekko, Raze
HavenKilljoy, Omen, Jett, BreachReyna
IceboxRaze, Sage, Cypher, Jett, OmenDeadlock, Phoenix
LotusAstra, Fade, Killjoy, Raze, ViperDeadlock, Neon, Yoru
PearlAstra, Cypher, Fade, KAY/O, NeonReyna
SplitKilljoy, Omen, Raze, Skye, ViperPhoenix, Sova
SunsetHarbor, Jett, Killjoy, Omen, SkyeDeadlock, KAY/O

Abyss

Abyss map in Valorant
Abyss has no boundaries.

Abyss is the newest map to join Riot’s competitive shooter. It’s also the first vertical map in the game, featuring gaps that can lead to instant death alongside a traditional three-lane layout. Due to the map’s size, popular Controllers like Brimstone and Omen are rendered useless with Harbor stepping up to the mantle.

He can put up sizable walls that can be bent around corners, allowing teammates to push through. The map’s layout means ranged combat is inevitable, and this is where Chamber‘s abilities, especially his Ultimate, shine. Breach gets our nod as the Initiator thanks to his blinding flashes and seismic abilities which can literally knock opponents off the map.

Jett‘s mobility makes her the best Duelist for Abyss. You can use Updraft to take advantage of the map’s verticality, and the Dashes are always nice to have.

Ascent

Ascent Map loading screen in Valorant
Ascent is one of the bigger maps.

Ascent has a simple layout, like the popular map Dust 2 in CS2, with simple paths to A and B sites and a mid-area that can lead to either of the sites. While picking an Initiator and a Duelist is a must for this map, Sova excels on Ascent due to several wall bang spots.

Additionally, Killjoy can help lock down either of the sites while Omen can smoke from anywhere on the map. You can swap Omen for Viper but do note that if you wish to pick Brimstone on Ascent, it’ll be hard to place your smokes from one side of the map to the other.

Bind

Bind Map loading screen in Valorant
The teleporters help you quickly move around in Bind.

Bind has an ample amount of chokepoints and a couple of teleporters, that allow damage-dealing abilities like that of Raze to dominate. While Skye and Viper are powerful picks for most maps, if there’s any map where Raze can outshine other Agents, it’s Bind.

If you use Raze’s nade in chokepoints like A-Short, A-Showers, or the Hookah area, it’s bound to inflict heavy damage, possibly leading to multiple kills at once. Brimstone can smoke most areas of the map easily on Bind and Cypher will help you maintain control of an area or watch the flank with ease.

Breeze

Breeze map in Valorant
Breeze features two plant sites.

Breeze received some major changes in the Episode 7 Act 2 update, slightly changing several parts of the map. While Jett can position herself in numerous off angles on the map with ease, Cypher can set up some hard-to-counter trip wires.

Then, Skye will help you clear most of the area around a site you’re rushing, and Viper will enable you to split the sites, making it easier for your team to attack or defend. Finally, Harbor will make the most out of the wide areas on the map, further splitting the sites with his wall and allowing his team to take control with his smoke and tide abilities.

Haven

Haven map in Valorant
Haven is among the oldest maps in the game.

The classic Haven map has returned to the competitive rotation after ages. It’s a large map with small corridors so engagements can occur at range and in close proximity. Nevertheless, Jett is the best Duelist pick due to her mobility and Blade Storm Ult which lets you fling knives towards enemies at a distance.

Omen is an excellent Controller for Haven as he can smoke out crucial areas and his Teleport has decent range. The ideal Sentinel on this map is Killjoy as her Alarm Bots can gather information while Turrets can help lock down sites.

Icebox

Icebox map in Valorant
Mid and B-site areas in Icebox received major changes in Episode 8 of Valorant.

Raze is without a doubt one of the best Agents to choose on Icebox, with her utility kit particularly shining in the A-site of the map. Sage will also prove to be an impressive pick if you wish to close the mid-tunnel area completely for almost half the round.

Finally, Jett can utilize off angles easily on any part of Icebox, and Agents like Omen and Cypher are always a good pick to provide support or delay an enemy team from rushing.

Lotus

Lotus Map loading screen in Valorant
Lotus has a breakable window and two revolving doors that help you gain access to the other areas.

Lotus also features three sites in Valorant, and pushing an area to get the early info on the enemies can be great to win on this map. Unlike Haven, there are several chokepoints on the bomb sites in Lotus, making Raze an excellent choice.

Fade is an ideal pick for attacking and defending areas on Lotus, and Astra can provide support in various ways from any part of the massive map. Then, Killjoy and Viper can help you lock down sites, making it tough for your opponents to run through their abilities.

Pearl

pearl map in valorant
Pearl was released on June 22, 2022.

Pearl has several corners that need to be checked and for that, Fade is the ideal initiator for this map. Her Haunt covers a big area and exposes everyone if the eye of the orb detects them. Neon can follow up on that info and combine her Fast Lane and Relay Bolt to get an opponent or two.

KAY/O being the secondary initiator will use its Zero/Point to suppress enemies while Fade and Astra will smoke and eliminate opponents present in either of the bomb sites. Cypher can take care of flanks and post-plant situations using his gadgets or even use his Cage to create one-way see-throughs when enemies are on the attacking side.

Split

Split Map loading screen in Valorant
Split has a ground varying in height across the map, making it hard to play Sova.

Split is a fairly compact map with three main chokepoints at A and B site entrances and the mid area. One of the best Agents to pick on Split is Raze, allowing you to dish out heavy damage through the proper use of her abilities.

Skye and Omen are ideal supports on this map, allowing you to smoke off areas and take control with the help of flashes. Finally, Viper and Killjoy will enable you to buy plenty of time for your teammates to rotate to help you while defending.

Sunset

Sunset Map loading screen in Valorant
Sunset made its way into Valorant with Episode 7 Act 2.

To pick the best Agents on Sunset, you need to have constant smokers like Omen. Additionally, with Skye, you’ll be able to clear most areas on a bomb site and Omen will allow you to smoke and relocate with his ultimate to any part on the map.

Then, Harbor will help you cut off various areas of the map, to defend or to provide cover for your attacking teammates. Finally, Killjoy can hold off multiple entrances to either of the bomb sites.

Best Agents for any map

The best Agents to select on any map are Jett, Omen, Sova, or Raze.

All of these characters are either easy to play, or simply provide a lot of support or firepower to the team, across all the maps in the game.

Best solo queue Agent

The best solo queue Agent is Reyna. Alongside Iso and Clove, Reyna has the highest win rate among all Agents according to tracker.gg. She’s also easier to master.

She excels in solo queue largely due to her abilities allowing you to escape and heal completely. If your aim is on point, you can’t go wrong with this Agent for your solo adventures.

Another worthwhile option is Iso. The duelist received a boost to his Double Tap ability, making him extremely strong.

With Episode 9 in full swing, here’s everything about the next Valorant map pool rotation along with all competitive maps in Act 3.