VCT 2025 Stage 2 map trends: The most played map in each region

As Stage 2 of the VCT 2025 season came to a close, map picks once again provided fascinating insights into each region’s competitive tendencies. While Riot continues to balance the map pool with new additions and reworks, certain battlegrounds dominated across Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. Here’s a closer look at the most played maps and what they say about regional metas.

Americas: Lotus Leads

In VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 2, Lotus emerged as the most played map with 20 appearances, accounting for a 19.05% pick rate. The map’s dynamic three-site layout continues to reward teams with strong macro play and utility planning.

North American rosters, like NRG in particular, leaned on Lotus to showcase mid-round flexibility, using the rotating door mechanics and smoke-heavy executions to create constant pressure. Lotus’ lasting popularity in Americas highlights its ability to balance explosive executes with layered defensive holds, making it a stable neutral ground for most lineups.

EMEA: A Three-Way Split

VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2 stood out as the most balanced in map distribution. Rather than one clear favorite, Ascent, Bind, and Sunset each topped the list with 18 total plays, translating to a 16.36% pick rate.

• Ascent remains a classic control-based map, played often for its familiarity and reliance on fundamentals like mid control and utility trades.
• Bind’s teleporters and site-to-site pivots still create unique playmaking opportunities, particularly for teams relying on tricky plays and rush-heavy strategies.
• Sunset, despite being a newer map compared to Ascent and Bind, gained quick traction thanks to its structured choke points and similar map-control potential like Ascent.

This three-way split reflects EMEA’s reputation as the most diverse region strategically, where teams prioritize versatility and adaptability across the full map pool.

Pacific: Keeping Faith in Lotus

VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Pacific Stage 2 mirrored the Americas in its reliance on Lotus. With 19 plays and an 18.45% pick rate, the map remained the most frequent battleground for top squads.

Pacific teams focused more on Lotus’ potential for aggressive defensive setups. Coordinated pushes and heavy map-control strategies were common patterns, as the top teams showcased proactive defensive philosophies.

The map also amplified duelist-heavy compositions in the region, reinforcing Pacific’s identity as the home of high-tempo, mechanically skilled gameplay.

China: Lotus Once Again

No region leaned into Lotus more than China. With 23 total plays and a 17.27% pick rate, it was by far the most contested choice in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Stage 2.

Chinese teams favored the map for its complexity, often using double-controller setups to lock down chokepoints and control rotations. Lotus became the centerpiece of the region’s tactical identity, with several key victories delivered on the map throughout Stage 2.

Conclusion: Lotus Dominates the Global Trend

While EMEA displayed parity across three maps, the global picture is clear – Lotus is the defining map of VCT 2025 Stage 2. Its prevalence across Americas, Pacific, and China shows that teams worldwide find comfort in its mix of strategic depth and explosive playmaking potential.

As Champions Paris approaches, the question remains: will Lotus maintain its throne, or will the EMEA teams inspire a broader shift in global map preference?

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games