All Upcoming Map Changes in Valorant Explained

Here are the official map changes coming to Lotus and Icebox in Valorant

Patch 8.0 of Valorant will bring several changes to Lotus, one of the newer maps in the pool. Moreover, Icebox is making its return after not being in the pool for around nine months with significant changes.

We will go through all the upcoming map updates on Lotus and Icebox and how they may change the way each map is played. 

Valorant Icebox Changes

Icebox is back at the start of Episode 8. Here are all the changes you can expect when Icebox returns in Patch 8.0, starting JAN 8. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qrqp3sV3hq

— VALORANT (@VALORANT) January 4, 2024

Icebox is returning in Patch 8.0 with the following changes:

Attacker Spawn

Before

After

Another crate has been placed on the already existing crate that used to overlook mid-pushes. Now, it won’t be possible for the attackers to hold pushes on mid from an elevated angle, making this a defensive-sided change. Moreover, the attackers used to take advantage of a headshot angle from spawn to punish any pushes on mid. With the crates now blocking vision, this will no longer be possible. 

B Main

Before

After

The crate that forced players to crouch under has been lifted. Moreover, the stacked boxes on the right have been removed, a spot used by Raze/Jett players to take an early kill on defense. These changes will make it easier to enter B main and will allow Sova drones to clear more efficiently. 

B Tube

Before

After

There now seems to be a window on B tube that can now overlook mid. Inside, a set of boxes have been placed that will make any peek towards mid from tube as a defender very risky. On the other hand, this will allow the defenders to gather more information. 

Before

After

B Snow Pile

Before

After

Crossing the B tube, we can see more changes besides the snow pile. More sets of crates now block a pathway that connects the B site with the snow pile exit. 

Valorant Lotus Changes

Here are all the Lotus changes you can expect with Patch 8.0, starting JAN 8. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IARzrJbonz

— VALORANT (@VALORANT) January 3, 2024

Lotus has also gone through several changes that will be impacting the meta of the map. 

A Link

Before

After

The corner of the A link is changed to be much deeper, with two boxes that allow elevated positions. This makes it hard to clear A link from the rubble, giving an advantage to the defenders. 

Before

After

Changes are also found on the inside of the A link, with additional space on the left side of the breakable door. Clearing the inside of the breakable doors will now be much more challenging without any utilities. 

A Hut

Before

After

The hut in A site will no longer have a space inside to walk through. The back of the hut now has a small area to play in. 

B Site

Before

After

From the attackers’ perspective, the left side of the B site has been expanded, with an additional angle to clear. This will make taking B much harder as both left and right angles need to be cleared when entering. 

C Site

Before

After

A lot has changed on the C site, including the plant area, which does not extend to the backsite anymore. Moreover, players can now plant in the stairs area, which has the possibility of becoming the new default plant location.

The double boxes on the backsite have been removed, and on the corner there is now a set of boxes for an elevation. Attackers used to hide in the corner behind double boxes to get cheeky kills on unsuspecting defenders. 

Before

After

An additional set of stairs has been added to the site, along with more boxes instead of the single box that was present before. The left side of the site’s entryway (from the attackers’ point of view) has been extended with added boxes for an elevated angle. Similar to the B site, this will make holding C as a defender much easier. 

While Lotus is facing changes on all of its sites, the A site on Icebox seems to be untouched. These changes will take effect on January 8 with the start of Patch 8.0.