Is instant smoking in VALORANT bad?
VALORANT Agents have different roles. While some are known for their fragging capabilities, some are helpful to their teams with their smoking capabilities, mostly Controllers. When you play Contoller Agents like Brimstone, you can use your smokes in different ways; whether they can be one-way smokes, late smokes or lineups on offence. What about instant smoking? Is instant smoking in VALORANT bad or good for your team. The answer is both yes and no. In this guide, we will go over all the aspects that you need to know about instant smoking in VALORANT!
What is instant smoking in VALORANT?
In the game VALORANT, players often use a technique called "instant smoking" at the start of a round. This tactic involves using smoke abilities right away to block the enemy's view and take control of parts of the map. The purpose of instant smoking is to stop enemies from moving forward, cause confusion, or help your team make an aggressive play. It's a strategic move that depends on the timing and placement of the smoke. Players need to think about the map and their team's strategy to use instant smoking effectively.
Is instant smoking in VALORANT bad?
Instant smoking has its pros and cons. It is useful for stopping early attacks from the enemy. When used right at the start, it can prevent the opposing team from rushing into key areas, which makes them slow down or change their plans. However, the drawback is that once the smoke is used, it won't be available for later in the round when you might need it for important actions like taking back a site or covering a defuse.
On the other hand, instant smoking can also be used on the attacking side too. When used instantly on attack, it creates a window for the Duelists to attack the bomb site early on in the round with less enemy vision. However there is a catch on that too. If the plan fails and your teammate dies or somethingelse happens, don’t forget that you won’t have any other smokes in the rest of thet round so whatever you plan, you have to plan something without smokes.
Teams need to think carefully about when to use their smokes. They must decide whether the immediate benefit is worth the risk of not having smokes available later. This makes choosing when to use instant smoking a key tactical decision in the game.
How long do VALORANT smokes last?
Different agents in VALORANT have smokes that last for varying times. Brimstone’s smokes last for 19.25 seconds, which is great for long-term strategies or controlling large areas. Omen’s smokes last 15 seconds and are good for quick strategic moves. Astra’s smokes stay for 14.25 seconds and can be placed from a distance almost instantly on any part of the map she has placed them. Clove also has smoke abilities that last for a short duration but they can create great angles for her teammates and she can put down smokes after death up to a certain radius.
Different smoke types
The game features several types of smokes that serve different purposes. Some smokes can cover big areas and last longer, making them ideal for lengthy tactics or controlling major map sections. Shorter-duration smokes are perfect for quick, precise actions where timing is crucial.
Each agent has unique smokes. Some can place smokes anywhere on the map, impacting strategic areas far away, while others need to throw their smokes close to where they want them to land. Players must understand not just their smokes but also those of their teammates and enemies to plan and counteract effectively.
Here are some of the Agents with a smoking abilitiy:
How to smoke better in VALORANT
Using smokes well is key to both attacking and defending in VALORANT. When attacking, use smokes to block the enemies' view of common spots where they watch for attackers. This lets your team move into a site without being seen. Make sure the smokes are deep enough to fully block these views.
On defense, smokes can help keep attackers out or make it hard for them to take over a site. Placing smokes smartly can push attackers into bad positions, making it easier for defenders to maintain control. Learning how to place one-way smokes can also give you an advantage. These smokes let you see the attackers without them seeing you, which can lead to easy kills.
It’s also important to place smokes so that they do not give the enemies a chance to hide or move unseen through them. On offense, it is crucial to make sure smokes are placed deep within the entry points of a site. This prevents defenders from peeking out and seeing your team as you enter. You should also spray bullets through your smokes sometimes. This can keep enemies from moving through them because they risk getting hit.
Defensively, use smokes to cover the main paths attackers use. This forces them to enter through less favorable spots or wait out the smoke. You can also use smokes to create one-way views where you can see the attackers' feet, but they can't see you at all. Remember, it's important to always check that smokes are placed where they block the enemy’s view but not your own or your teammates'.
To sum up, instant smoking in VALORANT has its ups and downs. In some scenariosi it can be very useful on attack as well as defense but on the other hand, it can also be pretty bad for your team’s strategy in that round. Communicate with your team before the round if you want to smoke key areas instantly. If you liked reading our guide, don’t forget to check out our other VALORANT guides too. Here are some of the ones we chose for you: