Split is a community favorite in VALORANT, but it has the distinction of being the first map removed from the active pool. After many months away, however, as of the start of Episode Six on Jan. 10, 2023, Split officially returned to the unrated and competitive queues.
On Split, taking control of mid is more crucial than perhaps on any other map since the attackers can reach the tower overlooking each site really quickly after taking control of mid. Defenders get an advantage, however, because of the bottleneck entrances to both A and B sites. Upon Split’s return, Riot said the changes it made should help attackers primarily by removing some of the more annoying defender angles to clear.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to Split, including callouts and basic attack and defense strategies.
Split layout and basic callouts
Here is the in-game map for Split, with all of the basic callouts listed.
Split A site strategies and tips
Split offers the attackers two options when entering through A main: go straight into the site underneath Rafters and Heaven, or take the Ramps up into Tower. Taking Tower affords you more visibility and control over the A site but leaves you vulnerable to lurkers in the back of Tower or quick rotates from Mid/Vents. Keeping a player in Tower and on Ramp during post-plants is a vital move for the attackers to catch off defenders looking to retake.
On the defending side, use smokes on A main right past the attacker spawn to dissuade the attackers from pushing quickly, giving you the chance to get into a cheeky angle or at least have more time to set up. Holding from Catwalk is ideal for watching A main, assuming you have someone in Tower to watch for attackers coming through Ramp or Vents.
Following the map’s update, the A main entrance has been widened and attackers have been given a small ledge to try and throw off aggressive defenders. The Rafters balcony has been reduced so that defenders can’t hide at one of two drastically different heights in the immediate corner (see above).
Split B site strategies and tips
Any sort of attack through B main should always be supplemented by some pressure from mid to B Tower, given that there are so many corners and angles for defenders to hide in on the B site (on TV, in Back, behind Board, around the Default corner). Using Viper or Sage walls, or smokes to cover crosses from B main onto the site, is vital for the attackers.
On defense, an agent like Jett or Omen that can gather information early from B main and escape to safety is ideal. Agents that can destabilize pushes or executes before they happen, like a KAY/O or a Breach, is also a great choice.
Following the map’s update, the jump-up spot in B Tower has been removed, and the pocket corner at the bottom of the rope has been “smoothed out to make clearing the spot easier.”
