How a map is designed dictates the flow of a Valorant game. Riot Games has done a great job designing and updating their maps, as well as just generally enhancing the game. With the map Lotus, Riot has created a new map mechanic that continues this innovation, the revolving door.
The new activatable one-way revolving door creates some interesting fights between teams. In addition, Lotus uses destroyable objects and a wide array of varying height levels. These design elements have made Lotus well-liked in the Valorant community and are a good test of players' abilities to adapt to new environments.
8 Play Around Map Mechanics
The map mechanics of Lotus play a big role in the outcome of the rounds. Whether you’re attacking or defending, playing around with the map mechanics can help your team. When you’re holding an area, always be aware of the status of the rotating doors and destructible walls.
In addition to the interactive entryways, Lotus has a very large surface area with a lot of high grounds. The layout of the map will play into your team's strategies. Be aware of how your team plans to take or hold a site, as well as who is covering the many flanks.
7 Look And Listen For Cues
The activatable doors and destructible walls can either be used aggressively or as a warning. The two mechanics that protect map shortcuts will alert you to their use. When holding an area, listen for audio cues and watch the minimap to know when enemies are near.
It can be wise to leave the destructible walls intact, providing an audio cue for when the opponent breaks them. It can also be helpful to keep an eye on the minimap, as the rotation doors alert players with a visual cue.
6 Play Decisive On Offense
All three plant sites have a strong defender advantage. Entering a site on Lotus can be difficult as it has narrow entryways, and each one is protected by high ground. When your team commits to taking a site, coordinate everyone's utility and ensure you have all vulnerable points covered.
Plant site A is the easiest to attack as the other sites have more restricted entry points. If your team is going A, then it’s fine to play default, looking for picks before committing. But if you’re going B or C, it's best to dump your utility early and take it with authority.
5 Use A Shotgun
Lotus has a lot of tight hallways and quick corners, try using a shotgun to navigate the maze. A shotgun can get a lot of value if you’re pushing B or C on the Attackers' Side. Defenders holding close angles can be quickly overwhelmed by a quick shotgun rush.
When Defending on Lotus, it’s usually best to hold the high ground, playback, and use a rifle. When you’re looking to catch Attackers off guard, try rushing B, C, or A Link with a shotgun. Shotguns are also great for site retakes. If the enemy is on-site, they are vulnerable to close-range weapons.
4 Be Aware Of Rotation Times
A nice feature of Lotus is the choice players have to make when they rotate. If you rotate from A to C through spawn, it will take you a long time. However, if you choose to rotate through A Link and C Door, you’re giving your opponent indicators to your location.
When rotating around the map, teams need to choose between time and stealth. This compromise makes Lotus games really interesting and always exciting. A Neon rotating quickly through spawn or a team capitalizing on a previously destructed door can break conventional timings and spice things up.
3 Have A Defensive Strategy
Since there are 3 plant sites, defenders will likely be split 2 on A, 2 on B, and 1 on C. Site A is the most vulnerable to attack as it has two of the widest entry points. If you are defending with one person on C, make sure to communicate enemy sightings as quickly as possible.
Callouts are even more important on maps with 3 plant sites. When you’re covering a location with 1 player, it can quickly become overtaken. Slowing teams down and making quick comms for rotation can be the difference between winning a round and getting slowly picked off.
2 Grab Ultimate Orbs
Lotus has three Ultimate Orbs that are all relatively easy to collect. The A site Orb is the most vulnerable to collect, specifically when the Attackers are roaming around playing default. The Orbs at B and C can easily be grabbed with a quick Smoke.
Farming Ultimate Orbs can be a legitimate strategy on Lotus. Attackers can easily push up on B or C, then rotate to collect another Orbs. Defenders playing back have a hard time contesting Attackers collecting Orbs — be careful, though, these peaks can lead to early picks.
1 Use The High Ground
Like Split, Lotus can be a hard map for Attackers to push sites. On each location, there is a predictable high-ground spot for Defenders to hold. Attackers committing to a push need to use Smokes and Walls to disrupt these locations. In addition, planting on the low ground can be tricky, so Attackers should always claim high ground before plating.
Defending can be simpler than Attacking on Lotus. But if you lose a site, it can be a challenge to retake it. Defenders rotating through the map need to keep an eye out for traps. Since the sites are so small, Attackers often push back out looking for stragglers.