Riot removes Split from Valorant to fix game-breaking bug

Riot Games made the decisive move to temporarily pull Split from Valorant’s active map rotation following discovery of a severe gameplay-breaking exploit. This wasn’t your typical minor glitch but rather a fundamental flaw that compromised competitive integrity across multiple game modes.

Like any complex multiplayer shooter, Valorant experiences occasional technical issues, but Riot’s development team maintains strong protocols for rapid bug identification and resolution. Their systematic approach typically minimizes disruption while maintaining fair play standards.

The severity of this particular exploit warranted unprecedented action—complete removal from all primary competitive queues. This marks one of the most significant map-related interventions since Valorant’s official launch.

Players initially identified the problematic bug on Split that granted movement-specialized agents access to an overpowered defensive position controlling Site A. The exploit fundamentally altered map balance and created an untenable competitive environment.

Riot’s official statement confirmed: “We will be removing Split from the Competitive, Unrated, Premier, Swiftplay, and Spike Rush map pools. Since the Premier map this week was intended to be Split, we will be replacing it with Ascent.”

Site A on Split already presents significant challenges for attacking teams due to its narrow entry points and elevated defender positions. The discovered bug exacerbated these natural defensive advantages to game-breaking levels.

Exploiting the glitch involved using the tower window access point, where agents possessing mobility abilities could vault onto an adjacent rooftop structure. This unintended position provided complete visual control over the primary A entrance while remaining nearly impossible to counter effectively.

The elevated angle created such an extreme positional advantage that opposing teams found themselves with limited counterplay options. Defenders utilizing this bug could essentially lock down the entire site with minimal risk.

Movement-focused agents like Jett and Raze gained disproportionate benefit from this exploit, fundamentally shifting agent selection meta around the map. This created a scenario where team composition became more important than tactical execution.

Many competitive players had already begun exploiting this tactical loophole before Riot’s intervention. The development team’s rapid response demonstrates their commitment to maintaining balanced competitive play, even when it requires significant temporary measures.

The corrected map version is scheduled to return with patch 8.08, requiring players to adapt to temporary alternatives. Additionally, Riot will address a separate Cypher technical issue where his Trapwires remained visible on minimaps after elimination.

At present, Split remains inaccessible within Swiftplay, Competitive, Unrated, and Spike Rush matchmaking queues. Players seeking to experience the map can currently access it through Deathmatch and Escalation game modes, which utilize different rule sets that minimize the bug’s impact.

In Premier mode competitions, Ascent has been substituted as the designated map replacement. This ensures competitive continuity while maintaining tournament integrity during the temporary removal period.

Professional players and ranked competitors should prepare alternative strategies for their map rotations during this interim period. Developing proficiency on substitute maps like Ascent becomes crucial for maintaining competitive performance.

The anticipated return with patch 8.08 suggests approximately two weeks of development and testing before reintroduction. This timeline allows comprehensive fix verification to prevent recurrence of similar issues.

Understanding these technical disruptions helps players adapt their training regimens and competitive preparations. For comprehensive strategic guidance during this transition period, consult our Complete Guide to maintain performance across changing game conditions.

Seasoned competitors should use this opportunity to refine their approaches on alternative maps while anticipating Split’s balanced return. This approach transforms temporary inconveniences into strategic development opportunities.

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