Split is back: Valorant to bring Split back into the Active Map Pool

With Valorant entering its third, the game plans to bring about a wave of changes with the huge agent and game system changes with patch 5.12 to the change in the active map pool of Valorant. Valorant will enter the 2023 season with a bang. Valorant Episode Six will release on 11th/12th January 2023. It will bring forth a new map rotation, including adding a new map to the mix.

The Valorant active map pool:

With the addition of Pearl, Valorant officially exceeded the limit of seven maps. The problem of map selection and learning came into the picture, causing major trouble for incoming players. The eighth additional map would've also created issues with map veto for Valorant esports. It lead to the Valorant team deciding on a seven-active map pool.

The first active map pool featured Ascent, Bind, Breeze, Fracture,  Haven, Icebox, and Pearl. Valorant rotated out Split from the map pool. Many criticized the decision as Split was a community favorite and enjoyed by a lot. The reason for the removal of Split was mainly around the fact that the map was one of the first few maps. Also devs wished to change how community interacted with the map and the agent compositions.

The new active map pool rotation:

Yesterday, Riot with the Chamber nerfed and announced the return of Split to the active map pool with the removal of Bind and Breeze. The latest map addition will accompany the Split in the new active map pool. The active map pool will be Ascent, Fracture, Haven, Icebox, Pearl,  Split, and the new map. Valorant is yet to reveal the details of the likely Indian new map. The Patch 6.0 will feature the new map pool along with the Episode VI. The inclusion of Split will come with changes to the map. It will be interesting to see how the community will play the new Split.

The decision to rotate Bind was to tweak the map and bring about a change in the map, strategy-wise. It is also to be noted that Bind was part of the original four maps, and a change will be good. Breeze, on the other hand, was relatively new, but Valorant devs wish to simplify how the map is played and diversify the agent composition on the map. All the maps will still be available in Custom matches, Deathmatch and Spike Rush.

Valorant plans to turn a new leaf with the latest episode. With the agent changes in patch 5.12 and the map pool changes in patch 6.0, The 2023 season will be a different experience altogether.

Credits: Riot Games