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A breath of fresh air: Lotus Map Design and Agent Compositions
With the new Episode, Valorant Introduced the latest addition to the map pool in the form of Lotus. Lotus is Valorant's ninth map, and after a week, has joined the map pool with Split replacing Bind and Breeze. The Valorant map features three sites and a new game interactive mechanic, which is especially interesting and fun to play around with. Paraphrasing Sean Gares, VCT Analyst and ex-100 Thieves Coach, "I think it's (Lotus) the most complex map in Valorant to date."
Lotus - Valorant Map Design:
Lotus features three sites, But unlike Haven, Lotus is an entirely different map in terms of team play. There are two revolving doors on the map, the first linking B and C and another on A Tree. A breakable door connects B and A.While the map follows the Haven three-site design and is the same size as Haven, the size of the Spike planting sites throws you off. The Spike-planting sites are relatively smaller than the rest of the site.
The barriers are also quite defence-sided, allowing the defence side free movement and giving them much map control. This allows the attackers to isolate duels but calls for coordinated team play. The defenders will face difficulties defending from inside with the smaller sites. An incoming coordinated attack can easily overwhelm them. The way to win the map will be by securing control and maintaining it.
Additionally, the Valorant map allows for many flanks and lurks, and it will take a lot of work to keep that in check. The map will be mental warfare and aim duels combined. While the map is defence-sided, and a well-structured defence can quickly shut down attacks with the amount of map control initially available for defence. It will be a constant tussle for map control. A team losing map control will result in losing the round.
Let's look at the three sites of Lotus:
- A site: The A site of Lotus is one of the most accessible sites to take, but the attackers must fight for control. There are two possible entries for A, One from the main and the other from the A tree. The entry for the wider A area will be a choke and defenders will try to take advantage of it. Additionally, A is the only site that won't be completely overwhelmed by the Killjoy Ult. But the site is small, and defending from the inside will lead to getting overwhelmed with utilities. The site allows for lineups for post-plant and can be defended well from A main.
- B site: The B site is the smallest of the three sites. But the site has a single choke point for entry and can be defended by a single sentinel. The attackers must bait out utilities and coordinate an attack to take the site. The site does allow for a limited number of lineups, but they are tough. Killjoy ult is especially tyrannical, completely overtaking the offence and defence site.
- C site: Similar to the B site, the C site has a single choke, and the B site defenders can aid the defence of C. Similar to B, C site is significantly small and player can overwhelm the site with utilities. Killjoy's ultimate is again oppressive on the site. C is a site where players can effectively defend passively and actively.
Overall, the map design is unique, and it will be fun to see how the professionals play the map. Let's look at the effective agents on the map.
Valorant Agents on the map:
As mentioned earlier, the map is defence-sided, so let's look at the effective agents on the map, starting with Sentinels.
- Killjoy: In the current meta, Killjoy is already a strong agent. The smaller sites allow the Killjoy to shine as the Killjoy Nanoswarms can cover significant sites. The Turrent and Alarmbot help to keep control and flanks in check. The Ultimate, Lockdown is strong and can easily flush out all the defenders of a site, making KJ a strong pick. Especially after the Buffs to the ultimate, KJ's ult is stronger than ever.
- Chamber: With long open areas and set-ups that can help control the site, Lotus allows for Chamber defence. Especially for teams with exceptional awpers, Lotus will see efficient and effective chamber play.
- Cypher: With the universal presence of Cypher, Cypher will be another strong agent. The smaller sites help the innovative trip plays. Cypher can be vital in keeping lurks and flanks in check.
- Sage: A team can choose to play sage on the map, and with sites having definitive chokes, Sage's slow orbs can help stop the incoming onslaught.
Controllers:
- Viper: Viper will be great for defence, making her a strong candidate for the controller role. The problem with Viper on attack will be the small pockets for the defence to exploit.
- Harbor: Lotus is a map that might push teams to play Harbor. Harbor's walls and abilities can help isolate angles on the attack, helping the team take map control. On defence, Harbor can play like Viper, and the reusable wall can be an excellent asset for the retake.
- Omen, Astra and Brimstone: Omen's one-ways and teleports can help gain map control. Astra's utilities will be crucial on the map, and Brimstone mollies can help with post-plant and defence, but Viper/Harbor will likely be the primary controllers on the map.
Initiators:
The initiators will be crucial on the map, especially on the attack, as the defense initially gets a lot of map control. The initiators used might be both flashes instead of a recon or a flash, similar to the early Haven meta.
- Breach: With recharging stuns, Breach will be a good choice on the map, especially with small sites. The Breach ultimately will also provide good value.
- Skye: Skye, with the rechargeable flash, will surely be a great asset for the team. And additional recon can help the team flush out members from the small sites.
- Fade: Players will prefer Sova over Fade on the map especially because of the agent's prowlers.
- Sova and Kay/o: Sova and Kay/o might see action, but Breach + Fade will likely be the combination for the initiators. Teams might also opt to go for Skye with Fade.
Duelist:
With longer areas, small corners, and angles, Neon might be a good pick on the map. Raze will help sniff out people, and the nades will get great value. The Raze paint shells prove extremely strong if timed correctly on defence since all three sites have a choke point while attacking. Jett will be fantastic on the map, too, especially on Operator. Yoru can see a lot of action too.
Agent Composition:
The map barriers favour defence, so playing with two controllers or two initiators might be the play. A well-balanced composition on the map will be Killjoy, Viper, Fade Breach, and a duelist. Teams can experiment, and a triple initiator composition with Chamber, Viper, Breach Fade, and Kay/o will also be viable. Breach + Neon can be an extremely good combination on the map, especially to regain map control for the attack. Harbor, Omen, Cypher, Raze, and Fade will be good experimental compositions. The map is still in its early days of play, and it will be interesting to see how the professionals tackle the new challenge.
Credit: Riot Games
