10 best tips to win on Sunset in Valorant

Sunset map in Valorant (Image via Riot Games)
Sunset map in Valorant (Image via Riot Games)

Valorant players were introduced to the intriguing Sunset map with Episode 7 Act 2 on August 29, 2023. This Los Angeles-based battleground presents players with a unique challenge of closely positioned spawn barriers that foster early engagements. At the same time, a web of interconnected lanes opens up strategic flanking opportunities, demanding calculated tactics to conquer the spike sites.

In this article, we'll delve into the 10 best tips to secure victory on Sunset, highlighting the key strategies and insights that can tip the scales in your favor.


Taking mid control, landing post-plant mollies, and more tips to win on Sunset in Valorant

1) Agent selection

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Sunset, Valorant's newest map, boasts a straightforward two-site layout with no special gimmicks. One notable feature is the close proximity of attacker and defender barriers, which heightens the likelihood of early encounters. Despite its simplicity, navigating to the spike sites on this map can be challenging due to the cleverly interconnected lanes, which allow for flanking opportunities.

It's important to note that the Sunset map is still early in its lifecycle, and the optimal compositions are evolving. However, a starting point for team composition could include a lineup of Agents such as Raze, Cypher, Breach, Fade, and Astra. These Agents offer a well-rounded mix of utility, crowd control, and information-gathering abilities.


2) Knowing flash spots

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On Sunset, players must navigate through neutral zones such as B-Main and A-Main with a strategic mindset aimed at deterring enemies before entering the site. These areas typically feature narrow pathways with minimal obstructions, making them ideal locations for critical engagements. In these tight spaces, the ability to outmaneuver and outplay opponents becomes paramount.

Agents with flash abilities can disrupt enemy positions, disorienting foes and creating a dilemma – yield space or face swift elimination. Successful execution demands precise timing, coordination, and adaptability. You can harness the chaos caused by flashes to set up trap plays and crossfires, enhancing your advantage.


3) Control chokepoints

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When launching an attack on the Sunset map, it is of utmost importance to control multiple chokepoints, such as B-Lobby, A-Main, or Middle Courtyard, before making your move toward the site. These fights can often be the difference between success and failure. It's crucial to maintain control over them, ensuring that your team can progress smoothly.

In the early stages of the round, exercise caution with your utility, especially your movement abilities. Squandering them prematurely can leave you vulnerable in crucial moments. Instead, consider a more measured approach. Opt for the gradual clearance of areas by leveraging abilities like Raze's paint shells or other initiating abilities such as flashes, stuns, etc.


4) Understanding smoke spots

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The Sunset map presents a unique challenge compared to other maps in Valorant. What sets it apart is the intricate layout that requires Controller-class Agents to employ a different strategy. Unlike other maps where they might simply need to smoke off a particular area to deter enemy advances, Sunset introduces a multifaceted terrain with many chokepoints and entry points.

On the Sunset map, a variety of cleverly placed chokepoints require Controller-class players to do more than obscure vision; they must strategically manage the game's flow. This unique challenge distinguishes Sunset from other Valorant maps, demanding Controller players to master the art of precise smokes and timing.

Moreover, selecting which chokepoints to prioritize is a vital decision. The Controller's adaptability, map knowledge, and effective communication with teammates are instrumental in winning on Sunset.

The following list mentions every smoke spot on Sunset in Valorant:

  • A -Elbow
  • A Link
  • A-CT
  • A-Main
  • Top Mid
  • Market Stairs
  • Market door
  • B-Pillar
  • B-Main
  • B-Lobby Stairs
  • Bottom Mid
  • Mid Tiles

5) Controlling Middle Courtyard

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On Sunset, securing dominance over the Middle Courtyard is a top priority for both Attackers and Defenders. Since the A site poses a significant challenge for those on the attacking side, gaining control of the Middle Courtyard becomes crucial. This area strongly favors the team that can employ its utilities most effectively. As a result, Initiators must carefully devise strategies to establish control and assert their influence in this critical part of the map.

For attackers, the Middle Courtyard, particularly the Mid Tiles area, holds key importance. It offers advantages that can be leveraged, making it essential for offensive teams to prioritize their control. On the flip side, defensive Controllers need to focus on disrupting the sightlines of attackers using their utilities to gain the upper hand in the battle for the Middle Courtyard.


6) Pressuring A-Main

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Attackers on Sunset have to go through the A-Main area before executing their attack on the A-site. Sunset's A site exhibits a defensive advantage. When pressured, defenders can use a range of area-denying utilities and establish a formidable crossfire to seize early control of A-Main and A-Elbow.

To effectively infiltrate the A-site on Sunset in Valorant, attackers must methodically clear angles one by one. You can feign pressure in other areas of the map and gradually regroup at A-Main as the round unfolds. Additionally, attackers can leverage Skye's Flash ability and Cypher's Spycam to quickly gather information about A-Main. This tactic may prompt defenders to use their abilities, enabling attackers to assess the defensive presence on the site.


7) Buying Operator on attack rounds

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The Sunset map features a simple design with two distinct sites and short distances between attacker and defender spawn points, setting the stage for early skirmishes. This dynamic environment encourages an aggressive playstyle right from the beginning of a round. To gain an advantage in these initial gunfights, consider equipping the Operator during attack rounds.

When the barriers go down on Sunset, you can position yourself with the Operator sniper rifle to counter defense-sided aggression. It is an effective choice for controlling areas such as the Middle Courtyard, allowing you to deter defenders who push out from B-Market and Mid Top. Additionally, the weapon is valuable for maintaining continuous control of B-Main when you can establish a secure position to oversee the area.

To make the most of this powerful sniper, opt for Agents like Chamber and Jett. Their unique abilities allow them to swiftly reposition after taking a shot, enhancing your chances of success when wielding the Operator.


8) Mastering Sentinel Agents

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Sunset serves as a playground tailored for Valorant Agents in the Sentinel class. On this map, Cypher and Chamber find themselves in an enviable position when it comes to thwarting the advances of attackers. With their arsenal of defensive abilities, they can expertly control and deny critical map areas, making it an arduous task for any adversary to gain ground.

Sentinels excel in utilizing Sunset's terrain beyond defense. They master map control and have good authority over chokepoints and sightlines, enabling them to anticipate and counter enemy movements with precision. When playing as a Sentinel, you should diversify your defensive strategies, experimenting with various setups that create formidable obstacles for adversaries on Sunset.


9) Using one-way smokes

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One-way smokes hold tremendous significance throughout the course of a Valorant match on Sunset. Be it during the initial rounds or in the post-plant scenarios that unfold in the later stages, these specialized smokes can craft advantageous angles that catch your adversaries off guard.

The smokes obscure the vision of your adversaries, leaving them uncertain about what's on the other side, while you and your team gain an advantage by spotting anyone who enters the obscured area.

The following list mentions the best one-way smoke spot on Sunset in Valorant:

  • A-Main
  • Market
  • B Pillar
  • B-Main
  • Bottom Mid
  • Mid Tiles

10) Learning lineups

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While many maps in Valorant offer diverse environments with varying degrees of openness and obstruction, Sunset stands as a unique blend of these elements. The A-site boasts expansive, unobstructed areas, while the B-site features a more enclosed layout. Therefore, it's important to note that Sunset presents an intriguing canvas for aspiring Valorant players who seek to master lineups.

Effective recon for areas like A-Elbow and B-Market can help with revealing enemy positions, enabling informed decisions and strategy adjustments. Meanwhile, post-plant molly lineups for A-site spike plants on Sunset in Valorant empower players with the crucial benefit of delaying spike plants, offering valuable control, and thwarting enemy advances in critical moments.

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