TL;DR
- Sova’s shock bolts deal 90 damage each, making double bolts lethal against full-health enemies
- Icebox requires precise lineups for both A and B sites to secure post-plant victories
- Zero-bounce, half-charged arrows provide optimal trajectory for defuse denial
- Proper crosshair alignment using environmental markers ensures consistent bolt placement
- Strategic use of shock bolts creates psychological pressure beyond raw damage output

While many Valorant players view Sova primarily as an intelligence-gathering specialist, his arsenal contains devastating offensive capabilities when deployed strategically. The Russian hunter’s shock bolts transform from mere area denial tools into lethal weapons capable of securing round wins in critical moments.
Understanding the precise damage mechanics is crucial: each shock bolt inflicts 90 damage, meaning two properly placed bolts will eliminate any agent at full health, even through light armor. This makes Sova particularly dangerous during post-plant situations where defenders are forced into predictable positions.
Valorant’s arctic excavation site presents unique challenges for attackers, with Icebox’s tight corridors and vertical elements creating natural defensive advantages. As players have grown more familiar with this complex battleground, sophisticated strategies have emerged that leverage Sova’s unique toolkit.
The map’s choke points and limited entry routes make spike protection particularly difficult once planted. Successful attackers must master calculated lineups that exploit defender positioning patterns, particularly around the default plant locations that have become standard in high-level play.
Common mistakes include improper spike placement that limits lineup effectiveness and failing to account for defender utility that can disrupt arrow trajectories. Advanced players optimize their approaches by studying common defender positions and anticipating counter-play.
For optimal results on bomb site A, position the spike at the standard green container beneath the rafters. This location provides clear sightlines for multiple retake lineups while limiting defender defuse angles.

After successful plant execution, retreat toward attacker spawn while preparing your shock bolt. Align yourself with the railing’s second metallic bar at your base camp, then precisely center your crosshair on the darker roofing panel section as demonstrated in the reference image.
Configure your shock bolt for zero bounces with approximately half-charge power, then release. The dual-bolt configuration will eliminate any opponents positioned near the standard spike plant location, making this particularly effective in 1v1 clutch scenarios.
The ideal spike placement for bomb site B centers on the default green container adjacent to the B-hall tube structure. This position maximizes shock bolt effectiveness while minimizing defender counter-play options.

Following bomb deployment, maneuver toward the green area while establishing your aiming reference. Position your reticle precisely between the two storage containers, using the arrow charge indicator as your guide. Align the second demarcation line with the prominent KNG insignia for perfect trajectory calibration.
Employ zero-bounce configuration with half-charge intensity to electrocute defenders attempting spike defusal. Critical insight: you must utilize both shock bolts sequentially, as the initial impact typically reduces enemies to approximately 24 health points, requiring the follow-up bolt for elimination.
These specialized lineups become game-deciding factors in isolated engagements, virtually guaranteeing victory in solitary combat situations. When multiple opponents remain active, deploy these techniques as psychological deterrents to maintain defensive distance whenever defusal audio cues activate.
Beyond raw damage, shock bolts create substantial psychological pressure. Defenders hearing the distinctive arrow impact often abandon defuse attempts prematurely, buying precious seconds for your team’s rotation.
Advanced players combine these lineups with reconnaissance bolt information to create comprehensive post-plant strategies. Team coordination becomes essential—communicate your lineup usage so teammates can cover alternative angles and capitalize on distracted defenders.
Sova’s C ability, commonly referred to as shock bolt, possesses undeniable lethal capacity against enemy combatants. The compact projectiles each deliver 90 points of damage, ensuring that dual-bolt combinations efficiently neutralize fully armored operatives.
While evasion remains possible against poorly aimed bolts, precisely calculated shock darts become virtually undodgeable due to their exceptional velocity and minimal size. Understanding the exact damage profile enables strategic planning—for example, combining shock bolt damage with teammate chip damage to secure eliminations outside standard lineup scenarios.
For players looking to expand their Sova expertise beyond Icebox, our Class Guide provides comprehensive agent selection strategies that complement specialized lineup knowledge.
Action Checklist
- Practice zero-bounce, half-charged shots in custom games for 15-20 minutes daily
- Memorize both A and B site lineups with crosshair placement precision
- Execute post-plant lineups in real matches, focusing on timing and audio cue recognition
- Coordinate with teammates to cover alternative angles during lineup execution
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Use these Sova shock dart lineups to protect the Spike on Icebox Master Sova's shock bolt mechanics and lethal Icebox lineups to dominate Valorant post-plant scenarios
