So you finally snagged a Valorant account (congrats!), and you're diving headfirst into the tactical shooter world. But with so many maps to learn, where do you even begin? Look no further than Haven, the granddaddy of Valorant maps, present since the game's beta days.
Haven's unique three-site layout and vast playing field make it a strategic playground, perfect for honing your skills and outsmarting your opponents. But before you get overwhelmed, let's break down how to dominate Haven, agent picks to consider, and a peek into the map's current status.
Haven's Playground: A Strategic Tour
Haven throws a curveball at new players with its three bomb sites (A, B, and C) – a feature not replicated until the recent addition of Lotus. This opens up a world of possibilities for attackers, allowing for multi-pronged assaults, sneaky flanks, and clever fakes. The map's size also necessitates a "lurker" role, where a player disrupts the enemy by catching them off guard or creating distractions. Imagine lurking near C Long while your team storms A – pure chaos for the defenders!
Speaking of defense, Haven rewards a strong anchor/sniper combo at C Long. This long, open area is a haven (pun intended) for snipers, so having a teammate watch their back and hold the site is crucial. Don't forget to keep an eye on Garage, another route enemies can use to flank C.
Agent Arsenal: Who Shines on Haven?
The last Valorant tournament featuring Haven was the 2023 Champions Tour. Based on that data, here are some top agent picks to consider:
Anchor/Lurker: Killjoy (info-gathering with turrets and alarmbots) or Cypher (traps and intel).
Entry Duelist: Jett (mobility to bypass choke points and sniping prowess for C Long).
Initiator: Sova, Breach, or Skye (information gathering and site entry assistance).
Smokes: Omen (a master of smokes and paranoia for post-plant situations).
This is just a starting point, and your playstyle should ultimately dictate your choice. But remember, mastering Haven is about understanding map control, rotations, and using your agent's abilities to their fullest potential.
Haven's Status: Still a Viable Choice?
While Haven isn't currently in the active map pool (as of Patch 7.0), it remains a valuable map to learn. Not only will it hone your strategic thinking and map awareness, but it might make a triumphant return in a future update.
So, even if you can't test your newfound Haven knowledge in ranked matches right now, consider it an investment in your overall Valorant mastery. After all, with a map this legendary, it's only a matter of time before Haven returns to the spotlight.