KIG began the night in a rough start. However, the maturity and composure overcame them tenfold. In Round 4 of the first map, KIG decided to take their first timeout. This was monumental in the leadership of their Captain, Conradskii. It was the first time in 4 games a timeout was made. Although, the first map provided late composure it was hard to get the 1-0 lead against Trivec. Trivec rallied and came back to win the first map. Now down 0-1 on the maps for the match, KIG rallied and gave a dominant performance. All the while playing on their worst map, Icebox.
Of all of the maps in Valorant, Icebox is one of the most divisive. Ever since the map’s release in October 2020, players have had incredibly mixed opinions on how good or bad it is. Many cite the verticality and abundance of difficult to clear angles as issues that hold back Icebox. Valorant Patch 4.04 introduced new changes to the map aimed at solving some of these problems. Here is our updated guide on how to play Icebox in Valorant.
Icebox is a standard two-site map with a middle lane of traffic. Control of Mid allows for quick rotations from site to site. A long tube connects the attacker’s side of Mid to the back of the B site through a kitchen. You can also go underneath the tube to enter the side of the site for another point of attack.
The defender’s side of Mid connects directly to the A site for quick access. They also have a raised platform to keep watch of the passageway. Without mid control, players on both sides must make long rotations through dangerous choke points to get to the other side of the map.
The A half of the Icebox map consists of an indoor factory-like area with plenty of crates and pipes for cover. The A site is in the back of the building and has a multiple elevated platforms surrounding it, including one in the center that can be accessed via zip line (and planted on).
Icebox’s B half is an outdoor shipping yard. Giant crates make up the map geometry and provide crucial line-of-sight breaks. The B site is a small area overlooked by a shipping crate with a zip line beneath it. While there is some cover on the site itself, this side of the map is very open.
To those familiar with the previous iteration of Icebox, don’t worry. Most of the changes to the Valorant Icebox map are small in scope and meant to make it easier to traverse and less daunting to clear. You can see a full list of them under the Icebox section of the 4.04 Patch Notes.
The most important change made to Icebox in Valorant that is the B site rework. First, the big yellow crate has been rotated from a 45-degree angle to being parallel with the site walls. A smaller box was also added to the side of it. This makes the space much easier to take and hold in post plant.
The B site itself had the open crate at the bottom removed. In its place is a solid block with a cubby that can be planted in. This change lowers the number of angles and height differences that need to be cleared while also providing some consistent cover.
Other than that, adjustments were made to give attackers more cover in Mid. A single smoke can now block off Boiler, the raised defender platform at the top of Mid. The A site was also made safer for defenders. They now have more cover on site and one less attacker head glitch to worry about.
Icebox is a map that relies heavily on utility and proper executes. Even the best players can have trouble running in on a Duelist without proper support. As such, Controllers and Sentinels are crucial on Icebox. Having two to three of these utility-oriented agents is not a bad idea. Omen, Viper, Chamber, Killjoy, and Sage are all great picks.
If your team has enough control agents already, there are many other options. Sova can get tons of information with his Owl Drone and Recon Bolt, as well as target tight, frequently played locations with Shock Bolts and Hunter’s Fury. Jett is an amazing Duelist for Icebox since she can take advantage of the verticality of the map with her Updraft. Reyna and KAY/O are also fine because of their valuable flash support for executes.
Quick pushes and teamwork led to a 5-0 lead on the second map. Trivec pushed through but it wasn’t enough and KIG took the map two making the maps for the match a 1-1 slot. Map 3 was a full force, KIG started just as hot but Trivec stuck around late in the game and pushed it as close as a 9-7 lead from KIG. However, in the end KIG took the momentum with massive plays by Sutterismine. Sutterismine led the force late in the game by securing his own ace in Round 17. KIG took the lead and never looked back. KIG won the match with a 2-1 decision.
