Episode 8 VALORANT Map Rotation and Best Team Compositions
Episode 8 just released and with it, there are changes to the VALORANT map rotation. There is no new map in this episode and an old one is rotating in.
This article will review the current map rotation, their Episode 7 stats in Ascendant+ ranks, and the best team composition on each map.
What is the current VALORANT map rotation?
The current maps in the rotation are:
- Ascent
- Bind
- Breeze
- Icebox
- Lotus
- Split
- Sunset
The maps that are NOT in the rotation are:
- Fracture
- Haven
- Pearl
Preparing for a New Map Rotation
There are a few things you should account for when there are map changes and a new map rotation. This is especially true with balance changes as you will be seeing new maps and new agents on familiar maps. Here are things you should learn and consider:
- The best agents for each map
- It is good to know which agents you’ll see frequently in your games and how to play around them.
- Common setups of Sentinels on the new maps
- Knowing common utility placements for Sentinels will allow you to play around them and help out your attacking side immensely.
- Lineups for Agents you play
- New maps require new lineups and maps that have had some changes to them may no longer support some of your lineups.
Ascent
With no changes since its release, Ascent is still in the rotation. It is still the most defensive-sided map in the game with a stagnant meta.
Episode 7 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 46.97%
A Site Defuse %: 26.77%
B Site Defuse %: 26.04%
Best Team Composition:
- Jett
- Omen/Astra
- Kay/O
- Killjoy
- Sova
This team composition is as old as time. Jett is the preferred duelist due to her being able to play mid-aggressively with Tailwind. Sova is still fantastic for spamming B Main on defense with a high-penetration weapon.
Bind
Another defensive map in nature. Bind is pretty standard in agent composition with a very flexible 5th slot.
Episode 7 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 47.89%
A Site Defuse %: 29.11%
B Site Defuse %: 24.66%
Best Team Composition:
- Raze
- Skye
- Brimstone
- Viper
- Chamber/Cypher/Yoru/Sage
Viper is great for stalling on this map and lurking up A Main. The final slot is very flexible with a variety of agents who can work based on playstyle. Yoru is a very interesting option with his ability to manipulate teleporters and to have a much more aggressive playstyle in general.
Breeze
Breeze returned to the map pool last Episode after a plethora of changes and a complete redesign of mid.
Episode 7 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 49.05%
A Site Defuse %: 27.96%
B Site Defuse %: 26.21%
Best Team Composition:
- Jett
- Viper
- Sova
- Cypher
- Kay/O/Skye
Jett is still the preferred duelist on Breeze due to the open space of the map. Viper is also a must-pick still because the A Site has been unchanged. Harbor or Omen are good pairings to provide vision-blocking utility on other areas of the map. Cypher is the preferred Sentinel due to not having any range restrictions.
Icebox
Rotating into the map pool in replacement of Haven. Icebox received changes to its mid area and B Main.
Episode 6 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 50.30%
A Site Defuse %: 25.96%
B Site Defuse %: 30.91%
Best Team Composition:
- Sova
- Viper
- Killjoy
- Harbor/Sage/Omen
- Raze/Jett
The map received very few changes and the meta should remain quite similar. Sage is still very nice to have to get the spike down, but Harbor is a good alternative with Cove and he offers flexible vision-blocking utility as Viper has fairly set default placements of her utility.
Lotus
An extremely offensive-sided map; Lotus received many changes for Episode 8 to make it more defensive.
Episode 7 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 53.17%
A Site Defuse %: 23.53%
B Site Defuse %: 28.53%
C Site Defuse %: 27.87%
Best Team Composition:
- Raze
- Viper
- Skye
- Omen/Astra
- Chamber/Killjoy
The defensive changes to the map helped out Chamber. The new spacing of areas gives him a lot more locations for Rendezvous. These changes also solidified Raze as the best duelist as her Boom Bot can clear the new 50-50 angles. Running double initiator may become the meta here to have more utility to clear the increased number of angles attackers now have to face.
Split
The map that used to be the most defensive-sided in the game is now more balanced since its reintroduction.
Episode 7 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 48.57%
A Site Defuse %: 26.55%
B Site Defuse %: 23.52%
Best Team Composition:
- Raze
- Skye
- Viper
- Omen/Astra
- Jett/Cypher/Killjoy/Sage
The tight angles of the map make it great for Raze. It has become quite popular in pro play to run both Jett and Raze for a double dive comp. With the buffs to Cypher, he becomes a good alternative option to counter Jett dashing in.
Sunset
The newest map to the game, Sunset offers a very good balance between offense and defense.
Episode 7 Stats:
Attacker Win Rate: 49.39%
A Site Defuse %: 27.76%
B Site Defuse %: 26.34%
Best Team Composition:
- Raze
- Skye
- Viper/Initiator
- Omen/Harbor
- Cypher/Chamber
Double controller is good, but not mandatory here. Viper can be replaced with an Initiator for a more aggressive team. Breach and Fade have seen some play at high levels. Cypher is the more consistent Sentinel who can cover the entire range of this large map, but Chamber can hold down the split area of A Main far better than any other agent in the game due to being able to teleport back to site.
In Conclusion
Best of luck with your games in VALORANT’s map rotation for Episode 8. Check back for more in-depth guides and analysis on the new weapon and maps.
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