What is VALORANT New Map Drift and when was it released?
VALORANT New Map Drift is a Team Deathmatch map that is inspired by Thailand’s floating markets. It was revealed by Riot Games on December 4, 2023, during the VCT Game Changers Championship 2023 Grand Finals.
It was released on December 5, 2023, along with Patch 7.12, in the middle of Episode Seven, Act Three. Drift is the fourth map in the Team Deathmatch mode, joining Piazza, District, and Kasbah.
What features does Drift have?
Drift has a three-lane layout, similar to the other Team Deathmatch maps, but with some unique features that make it stand out.
Drift’s lanes are isolated from each other, so players can fight more predictably without getting shot from other parts of the map.
There is also a zip line that runs through the middle of the map, allowing players to move across lanes quickly and creatively.
Drift also has a lot of details that reflect Thailand’s culture and scenery, such as wooden buildings, a beach resort, and shops on the shore.
Some of these structures are wall-bangable, meaning that players can shoot through them with certain weapons.
What agents are best for Drift?
Drift is a map that offers a variety of combat scenarios, from close-quarters to long-range. Therefore, players can choose agents that suit their preferred playstyle and strategy.
However, some agents may have an edge over others, depending on their abilities and roles.
Duelists
These are the agents that are designed to take fights and get kills. They have abilities that help them initiate, escape, or heal. Some of the best duelists for Drift are Jett, Reyna, Raze, and Phoenix. Jett can use her mobility and dash to traverse the zip line and surprise enemies. Reyna can use her dismiss and devour to heal and reposition after getting a kill. Raze can use her explosives to clear corners and deal damage. Phoenix can use his flash and fire to blind and burn enemies.
Initiators
These are the agents that are designed to gather information and create openings for their team. They have abilities that help them scout, reveal, or stun enemies. Some of the best initiators for Drift are Sova and Fade. Sova can use his recon bolt and owl drone to locate enemies and his shock dart and hunter’s fury to damage them. Fade can use her seeker and trailblazer to track enemies and her regrowth and guiding light to heal and blind them.
Controllers
These agents control the map and create advantages for their team. They have abilities that help them block, smoke, or slow enemies. Some of the best controllers for Drift are Omen and Brimstone. Omen can use his shrouded step and from the shadows to teleport across the map and his paranoia and dark cover to blind and smoke enemies. Brimstone can use his sky smoke and orbital strike to smoke and damage enemies and his stim beacon and incendiary to boost and burn them.
Conclusion
Drift is a new and exciting map for VALORANT players who enjoy the Team Deathmatch mode. It offers a different and engaging playstyle, thanks to its unique features and design.
Drift also showcases the beauty and culture of Thailand, which is a nice touch. If you want to try out Drift, you can queue up for Team Deathmatch and hope to get it in the map rotation.
If you want to learn more about VALORANT, you can check out our other articles on the game. We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. Thank you for reading!
