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VALORANT New Act Map Pool Rotation: Ascent and Lotus Out; Pearl and Split In
VALORANT’s upcoming Act 6 will see another map pool rotation, this time targeting long-time beloved and sometimes polarizing map, Ascent. Furthermore, Lotus will also see another rotation out as well, for the second time since its introduction. In their stead, Pearl and Split will be returning to the active map pool.
Ascent Out??
Long requested for, Ascent is making another departure from the active map pool – the second time the map sees a rotation out since the start of 2025 (Patch 10.00). Ascent, one of the oldest maps in VALORANT, and a staple of both competitive and pro play, will be removed in Act 6.
Ascent has long been polarising among fans and players for its longevity in the game. Many claim the map’s long tenure on the active rotation has led to staleness from a gameplay and viewership point of view. Hence, a short stint away could do both the map’s reputation and the players’ perceptions some good.
Lotus Removed
Another pro play favourite, Lotus, will also exit the active map pool in the upcoming patch. The three-bombsite map had previously been removed in October 2024 after a solid year of activity. The map was then reintroduced with minor changes and is now one of the most popular maps among players and pros.
Pearl and Split Return
Few enjoy Pearl, even fewer have truly mastered it. Pearl’s reputation within the community has always been tenuous at best and contentious at worst. Considered by many to be a problematic map, Pearl has been removed twice from the active pool, once back in August 2023, and reintroduced back in October 2024, over a year-long period away. Then it was removed again on June 24th as part of the efforts to introduce newest map Corrode.
With a difficult layout and post-plant heavy bombsites, Pearl has never been a favourite for many players, but its reintroduction will certainly bring delight to Southeast Asian fans in the upcoming new 2026 season.
Split. A strong map for many teams in pro play, a challenging map in ranked. The map’s rather unique layout can easily see teams stopped at the narrow chokepoints, but Split has historically been a fun map to play.
However, the return of Split and Pearl comes at the cost of a unique map like Lotus and VALORANT’s signature map – Ascent.
When is the New Map Rotation Date?
The newest map rotation is set to come on October 14th, with Patch 11.08. Until then, savor every moment you get on Ascent and Lotus. Or, if you’re a hater of those maps, the days of dodging are thankfully numbered.
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Featured Image Credit: Riot Games
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