TL;DR
- Controllers Astra and Omen provide essential smoke coverage for Ascent’s open spaces
- Jett excels at exploiting vertical angles and creating entry opportunities
- Killjoy’s utility prevents flanks and secures defensive setups effectively
- Sova’s reconnaissance capabilities dominate Ascent’s numerous sky openings
- Sage offers balanced support with creative wall placements and reliable healing

Valorant’s beloved Ascent map presents significant tactical hurdles that demand strategic agent selection. Mastering this location requires understanding its unique architectural challenges and how different agents can exploit them.
Ascent stands out as one of Valorant’s most strategically demanding environments. Its classic tactical shooter layout features automatic doors, expansive mid-control areas, and multiple entry points that create complex engagement scenarios. The visually stunning Italian setting conceals a battlefield where positioning and utility usage determine victory.
Fortunately, specific agent abilities can dramatically improve your performance on this challenging terrain. The key lies in selecting characters whose kits naturally counter Ascent’s specific design elements.
Best agents to play on Ascent

While most agents can find success on Ascent’s varied terrain, certain specialists possess abilities that fundamentally alter how you control the map’s critical spaces.
1- Astra/Omen
Both controllers bring exceptional value to Ascent by denying enemy sightlines across the map’s extensive sight corridors. Their global range smoke deployment capabilities allow for round-long area denial that other controllers cannot match.
Omen’s shadow spheres provide persistent visual obstruction that can be placed at any elevation or distance, making him exceptionally versatile. His smoke recharge mechanic every 40 seconds ensures consistent presence throughout extended engagements. Astra’s celestial formations offer unparalleled flexibility, enabling her to support teammates across the entire battlefield while maintaining safe positioning.
Advanced Controller Tactics: Master smoking mid-courtyard from spawn to secure early map control. On defense, use smokes to block A main and B main entrances, forcing attackers through chokepoints where your team holds advantage. Common mistake: deploying smokes too early in the round, allowing enemies to push through during their duration.
2- Jett
The mobility-focused duelist maintains her S-tier status on Ascent thanks to the map’s abundant elevated positions and vertical gameplay opportunities. Her ability to access unconventional angles makes her exceptionally difficult to predict and counter.
Jett thrives among Ascent’s numerous Radianite crates and high ground positions. Her dash ability enables aggressive peeks and rapid disengagement, while updraft creates unexpected off-angles that catch opponents off guard. The map’s long sightlines perfectly complement her ultimate blade storm, which demands precise aim for maximum effectiveness.
Optimization Tips: Use dash to quickly peek mid-link and catwalk positions. On offense, combine smoke with dash to create safe entry opportunities. Blade storm excels in post-plant situations where you can play time and pick off defusers from safe positions.
3- Killjoy

Sentinel presence becomes crucial on Ascent due to the map’s multiple flank routes and extensive site areas. Killjoy’s automated defenses provide the area denial necessary to control Ascent’s spacious combat zones.
The German inventor’s alarmbot and turret create early warning systems that punish aggressive pushes. Her nanoswarm grenades excel at stalling enemy executes and clearing common planting spots. Defensively, well-placed setups can single-handedly shut down site attacks.
Setup Strategies: Place turret covering mid-market to watch for pushes through courtyard. Use alarmbot and nanoswarm combinations to create lethal traps at choke points.
4- Sova
The Russian hunter transforms Ascent’s architectural features into intelligence-gathering opportunities. The map’s broken ceilings and open skyboxes provide perfect pathways for his reconnaissance arrows.
Sova’s intelligence-gathering capabilities make B-site attacks exceptionally challenging for opponents. His shock darts can clear tight angles and punish grouped attackers in narrow corridors.
Lineup Mastery: Learning specific recon bolt lineups for A main, B main, and mid control dramatically increases your team’s situational awareness.
Advanced players should master drone paths that safely scout sites while minimizing destruction risk. Common mistake: using recon bolts without proper lineup knowledge, wasting critical information-gathering opportunities.
5- Sage
While healers provide value across all Valorant maps, Sage finds particular synergy with Ascent’s geometry. Her barrier orb enables creative positional plays that alter site dynamics.
The Chinese medic can deploy strategic walls that create unexpected angles and block critical lines of sight. Her healing orb ensures teammates maintain peak combat effectiveness throughout rounds.
Creative Wall Placements: Use walls to block A main pushes, create one-way angles on B site, or boost to unconventional positions. Her slow orbs effectively stall pushes through the map’s numerous choke points.
Ascent allows Sage to operate in a balanced capacity rather than being forced into pure healing or aggressive roles.
Action Checklist
- Practice Omen smoke placements from spawn to key mid and site positions
- Master 3 essential Sova recon bolt lineups for A and B sites
- Learn Killjoy setups for flank watch and site defense
- Develop Jett dash and updraft routes for key map positions
- Practice Sage wall placements that create advantageous angles on both sites
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Here are the best Valorant agents to play on Ascent in Episode 4 Master Valorant's Ascent map with these essential agent picks, strategies, and tactical insights for competitive success
