Patch 5.07 brings new love to Valorant’s most divisive map: Former and current pros give their thoughts.

Love it or hate it

Last week, Riot released the latest patch after teasing in the public test beta. Newest map to the pool, Fracture, has received some major balance tweaks that radically changes portions of the map. The map, which had been released on the 8th of September in 2021, has seen the community split between love and hate camps. Compared to other Valorant maps, map designers tried something new with it, utilising a unique map layout not often seen in tactical shooters.

For the most part, tactical FPS submit to the critical design of lanes within maps, leading from each spawn point along two outer lanes, typically designated ‘A-long’ and ‘B-long’ or some variant of it, and a middle lane. Fracture defies all of this with a total of 4 paths leading to both sites and eliminates the middle lane as a point of contention.

The unconventional design and unique tactics required to take the sites made the map ‘harder to play’ in ranked, however, in competitive pro play, it was often the map that separated the good IGLs from the great. The immense potential for fakes and rotations, as well as mind games, made the map a fan favourite to watch in tournaments.

 

Big Changes Coming

Now, a year on from its initial release, the map is finally seeing some changes, potentially drastically shifting the meta once more and revamping interest in it.

 

Dish has been simplified into a singular lane. Below, before and after (left, right).

Drop has been changed to include a small cubby for entry.

A ledge and alterations have been made to A Heaven.

Top box has been moved.

Arcade side has been widened.

The map has also seen additional changes to the B site, with the steps leading to the site changed into a ramp, and the angle to hold from generator made shallower. A Main has also seen the angle smoothened out and widened.

 

Competitive Changes?

Michael "shroud" Grzesiek posited that the changes to dish was a good change that 'simplified' the entire area. 'Holding' and 'taking' would now be a lot easier for teams he stated. The changes to A Heaven made it more controlled to take back as Defenders and hold now, stating that previously, A Rope was entirely too hard to hold as Defenders while offering little benefits for retakes as they channeled through the chokepoint back into site. The changes would make sands more vital for both teams now, as Attackers would need to expend more utility to hold onto the position and Defenders would have a stronger foothold to retake from it.

Tarik "tarik" Celik reviewed the changes, noting that Riot made good changes to drop, creating more 'room and opportunity to play with.'

Shahzeb "ShahZaM" Khan noted the changes to drop to be in a negative direction, stating that the previous iteration demanded more of a commitment to the spot as dropping required coordination and executed strategies. However, the changes would now allow for more lurking and created more opportunities for Attackers to take A site from that channel with less risk to their part.

With VCT 2023 on the horizon, fans eagerly await to see how this new Fracture will play at the highest levels.

Image credits: Riot Games