Prepare for battle in Valorant’s coldest map, the Icebox! Start your winning edge even before the first round by picking the best agents for your ranked matches.
Each Valorant map has its own unique identity, Icebox being the zipline that crosses the A site and the popular tube in mid. The game’s fifth map is filled with boxes, obstructions, and tubes that can be used strategically for your gameplay.
But even before your aim takes center stage, the fight to win starts in the agent selection screen. While all Valorant agents have their own strengths, some fare better in some maps than others.
Agents like Reyna and Iso rely on player skill instead of the Agent’s abilities. We’ve decided not to include these two agents on our Best Agents in Valorant Maps lists.
Best Duelists in Icebox
Jett
This duelist may be an “overrated” pick for some, but Jett packs one of the most useful entry kits in the game, no matter how much Riot Games nerfs her. Jett is perfect for clearing the tight entryway in both A and B sites. Moreover, Icebox’s many boxes and elevations make it an ideal playground for Jett’s updraft and smoke.
As a map with long lines of sight, Jett, an operator-defender, is a threat to enemies who wish to enter your sites. When used “offensively” on the defense half, Jett can use her dash and updraft as a peeking advantage.
Best Controllers in Icebox
Viper
You are not wrong if you feel Viper constantly appears in our “Best Agents” articles. Viper’s kit is unparalleled in many ways, earning her the top-picked spot in pro play. Icebox’s sites will do well with “wall” and orb-type smokes, but Viper’s ultimate skill just takes her to the top of the list.
There are many ways to use Viper’s ultimate ability (both offensively and defensively) on this map. One of the most popular ways is to ult the 410 box on a site for post plants or early-round defense. Given the many obstructions on the map, the Viper Ult has many corners and nooks to check for, making it an even deadlier site to hold for enemies.
Harbor
With Pearl out of the map rotation, there haven’t been many maps where Harbor shines and is a “must-pick” over other controllers. But with the return of Icebox, Harbor seems to have found another playground where he can prove his capability. Just like Viper, Harbor’s wall/wave smoke comes in handy in blocking the many lines of sight that defenders where defenders may pick you off.
While Harbor’s walls are useful on this map, his impenetrable orb stands out. Complete “takes” and clears of a site are not always achievable on a map as complicated as Icebox. This orb lets your team plant or defuse with a degree of safety while your other teammates still clear the site.
Best Initiators in Icebox
Sova
Given that Icebox is set in Valorant’s equivalent of Russia, it is fitting that the Russian marksman is a top pick on this map. Sova’s trademark utility, the dart, makes him a strong contender. Icebox has many walls and strategic elevations where you can put your dart.
Personally, the Sova dart has done wonders in clearing A during the attacking half. Combined with the drone, you’ll never lose valuable info with this top-tier initiator agent.
KAY/O
While Sova takes charge of the information, KAY/O’s knife’s main focus is neutralizing pushes and sneaky enemies. I find KAY/O’s knife most useful in stopping Jett from dashing onto sites when enemies attempt a fast take on A.
This map is also notorious for being one of the maps that are hardest to retake, especially on A. If you’re looking for the best ultimate that lets you enable your teammates to retake the site, KAY/O is your must-pick.
Best Sentinel in Icebox
Killjoy
The tech specialist has plenty of setups up her sleeve for Icebox. Her Alarmbot and Turret can cover multiple entry points, making it challenging for enemies to push through choke points or execute strategies.
Sentinels on Icebox are often tasked to guard a site solo or in combination with guarding the mid-kitchen and the site. Given both tasks, Killjoy is an unparalleled sentinel for this map. Moreover, after the huge nerf or Killjoy’s Lockdown, Icebox is one of the maps where this ultimate can cover most of the site, making it a powerful tool for retakes and clearing the sites.
Worst Agents for Icebox
Brimstone
The seasoned Agent is one of the most beginner-friendly Agents in Valorant. However, his lack of flexibility and “re-smoking” capability makes him a weak contender for this map. While Brimstone’s ultimate remains a powerful option for retaking the site, it just doesn’t do well on clearing most of the many chokepoints and hiding spots that Icebox has.
Breach
Breach prefers maps with tight entryways and corners, like Sunset and Fracture. While Icebox has plenty of walls, Breach’s stuns and flashes may disadvantage your team more than they do a favor. Additionally, the long distances between sites and lack of predictable choke points can make it challenging for Breach to effectively coordinate his flashes and stuns with his team.