Ascent is characterised by narrow corridors and two bomb spots. The pros show which agents are best on the VALORANT map.
One of the most frequently played maps in VALORANT is Ascent. Since the game’s official launch with Act I, the map has been a staple in Riot Games’ FPS. Ascent is characterised by many narrow paths, tunnels and a compact centre. Even the spots are also twisted due to intermediate walls and blocks.
Among the pros in Europe, there are clear agent compositions for the map. We look ahead to the VALORANT Champions Tour 2021: EMEA Stage 2 Challengers Finals.
Similar Agents at Fnatic and Team Liquid
Team Liquid and Fnatic contested the European Finals, qualifying for the Masters in Reykjavik, Iceland, and played very similar teams on Ascent. Joining them respectively were: Jett, Sova and Omen. Guardians were Cypher and Killjoy on one side each. While Fnatic resorted to an additional tactician in Viper, Team Liquid opted for a second duelist in Phoenix and thus a slightly more offensive variant.
Team Liquid: Sova, Jett, Omen, Killjoy, Phoenix
Fnatic: Viper, Cypher, Sova, Jett, Omen
The combination of agents on the map is quickly explained. Let’s deal with the defence first. Killjoy provides a lot of control on defence with her tower and Swarm Grenades on the A-Site. The same goes for Cypher, who uses his spy cam and trapwires to recognise the onrushing enemies and can hold his position and call for reinforcements in time. He also provides one-way smokes with cyber cages on positions for the B tunnel.
Tacticians like Omen and Viper restrict the enemy’s view and often block important access points in front of the spots. They also act as a link between defence and attack.
Sova is the scout par excellence on the map. His reconnaissance projectile and the owl drone are indispensable for attackers to spy out the defenders’ positions. With more information, the Rush can be better prepared and gives duelists a better focus.
Team Liquid’s choice on Phoenix often paid off. This is because his Flashes support advances and thanks to the blocking abilities Wall of Flames and Hot Hands, defenders are cut off from the spot so that a Spike Plant can take place.
Jett is the all-purpose weapon for the attack. She’s hard to account for thanks to her agility and aerial swagger, and can also position herself on defence at higher boxes.
Especially on Ascent, the use of information skills by Sova and Cypher is important to determine the number of opponents within an area. Usually defenders play with three agents on B and keep the tunnel tight. On A-Long and A-Short, Killjoy’s robots are recommended to slow down the push or inflict great damage in combination with Swarm Grenades.
On attack, a quick succession of Smokes, Flashes and Walls from Viper and Phoenix is often used to increase the chances of a Spike Plant. Another variation is also possible with the newest agent Astra. Because she also provides control on both sides with Smokes and Stuns.
