Riot Games unveiled this Monday, July 21, the new map rotation coming to
VALORANT starting with Act 5 (patch 11.04),
scheduled for August 19. Icebox, which returned to the competitive
map pool last March with patch 10.04, will be removed in favor of Abyss, which was taken out at that time
. On the esports side, Abyss is not expected to return until Champions Paris in September, as
announced by the official account. In the meantime, the next patch should be 11.02, featuring the transition to Unreal Engine 5 —
more details about that can be found here.
VALORANT currently has
a total of twelve maps, each offering unique layouts, mechanics, and strategic opportunities. Each map introduces different elements that influence gameplay, making strategic planning essential. Most maps feature two spike sites, but Haven and Lotus stand out by offering three, adding an extra layer of complexity.
Some maps also include dynamic features such as breakable doors, rotatable walls, or gaps players can jump across to gain a tactical advantage. VALORANT features a rotating map pool designed to maintain a dynamic and balanced gameplay experience. In both competitive and unranked modes, only seven maps are available simultaneously, with others temporarily removed to allow for updates, reworks, or balancing adjustments by Riot Games, for example.
