How to play Split in VALORANT

Along with Bind and Haven, Split is one of three original maps available in VALORANT since the game’s launch. The design is based on a Tokyo neighborhood with several buildings and alleyways that emphasize vertical movement and positioning. This is meant to offset the map’s small size and heavy amounts of cover.

Split often favors Defenders and is known for giving Attackers a much more difficult time. Let’s take a look at the details, callouts, and everything else you need to know about Split.

Features of Split

Split's small size makes for tight-quarters combat. Image source: Riot Games.

The first thing you’ll notice about Split is the number of level changes throughout. There are plenty of ramps, stairs, balconies, and other structural tools for gaining the high ground. Both bomb sites also have a tower overlooking the entire area. Controlling these towers is crucial for locking down a site. They are typically the first location teams look to anchor down once they’ve taken control of Mid. The towers’ superior vantage points allow players to patiently wait for enemies to show themselves on the ground. 

Split was the first map in VALORANT to introduce vertical ropes. These allow players to quickly ascend to towers, nests, and other high ground areas. Subsequent maps like Breeze, Fracture, and Icebox also implemented these ropes into their designs. You can find them at three different points on Split, which we will go over in the Callouts section.    

Compared to other maps in VALORANT, Split is incredibly small. The area is condensed even more with various rooms, corridors, and discreet passageways. This can lead to chaotic scrambles and entertaining firefights during unexpected engagements. However, high-level teams often opt for a patient and opportunistic approach when playing on Split. 

Callouts

Knowing how to communicate effectively with your teammates is vital. Image source: Riot Games

A Site

• Lobby - a large area leading from the Attackers Spawn into A Site

• Sewer - a long underground passageway accessed via vertical ropes that connects A Lobby to Bottom Mid

• Main - a small chokepoint connecting A Lobby to A Site; also connects to Ramp

• Ramp - an upward ramp off to the side of A Main that leads into A Heaven

• Heaven - a large room inside a tower that overlooks the rest of A Site

• Vents - a pair of air vents accessible via vertical ropes that connect A Heaven to Mid Vent

• Mid Vent - a dark room connecting Vents to Top Mid

• Rafters - a narrow, elevated area just outside and extending to the right side of Heaven; essentially a balcony for the tower

• Hell - the small covered area underneath Rafters 

• Pillar - a large structure near the middle of A Site labeled with an “A”

• Flower Pot/Vines - a small pillar with vines sprouting from the top located alongside Pillar

• Terminal - a large, dual-sided blue screen similar to those found in airports. It separates the default planting location from Back Side 

• Back Side - the back area of A Site behind Terminal and leading into Elbow

• Elbow - A narrow alleyway with an awkward angle that leads into Screens

• Screens - A room filled with small video screens you’d find in an airport (think departures and arrivals) leading toward the Defenders Spawn

Mid

Split’s Mid is very small and has no significant callouts. However, there is a Top Mid and Bottom Mid to distinguish the two sides. 

B Site

• Alley - a narrow alleyway leading from the Defenders Spawn into B Site

• Stairs - A stairwell that serves as an alternative route to Alley from Defenders Spawn. It doesn’t lead directly into B Site but rather to B Heaven

• Heaven - a tower similar to the one found in A Site that overlooks much of B Site

• Rafters - a balcony-like structure outside B Heaven that provides additional high ground

• Hell - a small covered area directly underneath Rafters; there is a vertical rope here that grants direct access to B Heaven

• B Main/Garage/Tunnels - A garage-like area that serves as the main entryway to B Site from B Lobby

• Lobby - a large open area leading to B Main from the Attackers Spawn

• Link/Market - a small room resembling a Japanese market that connects B Lobby to Bottom Mid  

• Mail - A room filled with postal boxes connecting B Heaven to Top Mid

• Pillar - a large structure in the middle of B Site that breaks the area into various sections

• Double Box - a pair of boxes stacked on top of each other adjacent to Pillar and leading to the stairs in front of B Rafters and B Heaven

• Back - the back area of B Site that is completely isolated with no additional escape routes

Best Agents to Play

Building the right Agent composition provides an advantage for every map in VALORANT, and Split is no different. It is filled with numerous tight corners and chokepoints due to its small size, which can make intel-gathering tricky. Fortunately, there is one Agent who specializes in working around obstacles. The abundance of nooks and crannies also means vision blocker and flash abilities come in very handy. Split tends to favor defensive play, so passive Agents often work better than aggressive options. 

• Sage - the most passive and defensive-oriented Agent in VALORANT, Sage shines in many ways on Split. Her Slow Orb is an excellent tool around corners and chokepoints, and Barrier Orb is a great Vision Blocker. Because the map favors Defenders, Sage’s healing abilities can prolong her team’s defenses while her enemies struggle to find an opening.

• Skye - the premier intel-gatherer for Split. Trailblazer can weave around corners to gather intel and deliver a concussive blast. Guiding Light—Skye’s Signature Ability—is one of the best flashes in the game. Skye can also heal allies with Regrowth, allowing her team to persevere in defending situations. 

• Viper - damage-dealing Vision Blockers make her an oppressive pick on Split. Her abilities are especially useful in A Site’s large open area. Viper’s Ultimate Ability can cover an entire zone of the map, stretching past walls and upwards into elevated areas.

• Astra - strong smoke and flash abilities make her an excellent pick for Split. Gravity Well is especially powerful at choke points, able to trap an entire enemy team at once. Astra’s Ultimate Ability also provides even more cover for her teammates in the tight-spaced concrete jungle.  

• Jett - the game’s best Duelist excels on virtually every map, and Split is no exception. Updraft allows her to gain quick and easy access to the high ground without needing to take obvious routes. Jett also has a smoke ability in Cloudburst that serves well along corners and chokepoints.  

Go and grab some teammates and test out your new Split knowledge today. You could even complete some G-Loot Missions or Brawls while you're at it and get rewarded for doing what you love.