After a six-month-long hibernation, one of VALORANT’s finest maps, Icebox, is finally back in the competitive map rotation with Episode Eight, Act One. That said, it has endured multiple changes to its original features, calling for new, adjusted agent comps for the beautiful snowy map.
Known for its horizontal and vertical zip lines leading to elevated nests, a complex mid-section, and more such quirks, Icebox nurtures a diverse meta, allowing players enough room for experimentation—one of the reasons why it’s so popular.
With the recent update, however, it has become incredibly important to take control of as much space as possible. Not that it wasn’t interesting before, but the update has opened up more avenues for both sides in the map’s mid section. Keeping these in mind, let’s discuss the best agent comps for Icebox in VALORANT, shall we?
The best team compositions for VALORANT’s updated Icebox map
I suggest the following team comps for Icebox:
- Jett, Sova, KAY/O, Viper, Killjoy
- Jett, Reyna, Sova, Viper, Killjoy
- Reyna, Skye, Viper, Sage, Killjoy
- Raze, Reyna, Skye, Brimstone, Killjoy (experimental)
Let’s talk about the very best VALORANT team comp for Icebox: the iconic Jett, Sova, KAY/O, Viper, and Killjoy comp. Icebox has a lot of corners to check and multiple flank possibilities, so you can’t skip on the inevitable initiator and sentinel when you are building a comp for this map.
I love the edge a double initiator comp can bring to VALORANT in its current defender-centric meta. What better than the Sova-KAY/O combo to beat those stubborn defenders who won’t budge from their positions? Or those over-aggressive attackers who think they can conquer the world with just a Vandal in their hands? I suggest learning a few lineups for both KAY/O and Sova’s utilities, though—unpredictability with your recon and knife is key.
Jett is always a top-notch choice as a solo duelist on this map, thanks to her ability to dash into sites, capitalize on her teammates’ intel abilities, and snatch space. You can, however, choose to go with Reyna or Raze, but I suggest choosing them in double duelist comps. Raze could have been a good solo duelist for the map, but after her nerf in Episode Seven, she has become slightly limited with her satchels.
Coming to controllers, Viper has always been the first choice for Icebox, and she still is the best choice. Brimstone is also a good alternative, especially for aggressive teams with two duelists who can benefit from his Stim Beacon.
Lastly, pick Killjoy on Icebox without any second thoughts. You need a sentinel on this VALORANT map and she has always been the best sentinel to watch flanks on this map; you can pair her up with Sage if your team likes playing slow. Sage’s wall is actually a valuable piece of util to have on Icebox. You can use it to protect the Spike planter or block a critical chokepoint. Her Slow Orbs are great for combos with Sova’s Shock Dart or Viper’s Poison Bite.
The fourth team comp I suggested—Raze, Reyna, Skye, Brimstone, Killjoy—is marked experimental for a reason. It’s a great comp for those who love rushing, but can backfire if defenders have a good hold on the site. While Skye is a great initiator, her flashes and scout dog can be a bit situational on Icebox; her team needs to capitalize on her abilities perfectly to find value. Then again, if you’ve to pick just one initiator for an aggressive team, Skye is the one.
