How to Use Clove in Valorant Every Maps: The Ultimate Guide

By Jackober, Diamond 2 Valorant Player with 1,000+ hours of gameplay

Introduction to Clove in Valorant

As Valorant’s roster continues to expand, each new agent brings unique abilities and playstyles that reshape the tactical landscape of Riot Games’ premier tactical shooter. Clove, the game’s newest Duelist, has created quite a stir in the Valorant community with their distinctive toolkit focused on self-sustain and aggressive plays. As someone who has climbed to Diamond 2 and invested over 1,000 hours in Valorant, I’m excited to share my comprehensive insights on mastering this innovative agent.

Clove represents a fascinating evolution in Valorant’s agent design philosophy. While most Duelists excel at creating space through flash abilities or mobility, Clove takes a different approach by emphasizing survivability and second chances. Their kit revolves around healing, quick resurrections, and creating opportunities for aggressive plays with reduced risk. This unique design makes them particularly appealing for players who enjoy an aggressive playstyle but want additional safety nets.

In this extensive guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Clove, from basic ability usage to advanced strategies, optimal team compositions, and map-specific tactics. Whether you’re considering adding Clove to your agent pool or looking to counter them effectively, this guide will provide you with the knowledge to succeed.

Clove’s Abilities: A Detailed Breakdown

Before diving into strategies, let’s thoroughly examine each of Clove’s abilities to understand their mechanics, strengths, and limitations.

Basic Ability: Not Dead Yet (E)

Ability Description: When activated, Clove enters a transitional state for a short duration after being killed, allowing them to self-revive with partial health.

Key Mechanics:

• Upon death while this ability is active, Clove enters a ghost-like state
• During this state, Clove can move (though with limited mobility)
• After a brief period, Clove self-revives with partial health (around 75 HP)
• The ability has a cooldown, preventing continuous usage

Strategic Usage:

• Perfect for entry fragging where the ability to take a second life makes trading more difficult for enemies
• Allows for aggressive peeks with reduced consequences
• Creates confusion in enemy ranks when they believe they’ve secured a kill
• Particularly effective in clutch situations where enemies might rotate after believing they’ve eliminated you

Limitations:

• The revive location is fixed to where you died, making it predictable
• Enemies can camp your body if they’re aware of the ability
• The animation makes you vulnerable during the revival process
• Limited health upon revival means you’re still vulnerable

Signature Ability: Meddle (Q)

Ability Description: Clove throws a projectile that creates a field that reduces the effectiveness of enemy healing while enhancing team healing within its radius.

Key Mechanics:

• The field persists for several seconds
• Enemy healing is reduced by approximately 50% within the field
• Friendly healing (including Clove’s own) is enhanced by about 25%
• The field is visible to both teams

Strategic Usage:

• Counter agents with healing abilities like Sage, Skye, or Phoenix
• Enhance your team’s sustainability during site executes or retakes
• Use during post-plant situations to deny enemy healing
• Combine with your ultimate for enhanced self-healing

Limitations:

• Limited area of effect means strategic placement is crucial
• The visible field alerts enemies to your strategy
• Fixed duration means timing is important

Signature Ability: Pick Me Up (C)

Ability Description: Clove deploys a small area that heals allies standing within it over time. Clove receives enhanced healing from this ability.

Key Mechanics:

• Creates a circular healing field that lasts for several seconds
• Allies receive gradual healing while standing in the field
• Clove receives approximately 50% more healing than teammates
• The field is visible to both teams

Strategic Usage:

• Place during post-plant situations to maintain team health
• Use between engagements to recover from damage
• Deploy during site holds to enhance team sustainability
• Combine with “Not Dead Yet” to quickly recover after a self-revive

Limitations:

• Stationary nature means players must remain in place to receive healing
• Visible to enemies, potentially revealing positions
• Gradual healing rather than instant, requiring time to be effective

Ultimate Ability: Dimension Drift (X)

Ability Description: Clove enters an alternate dimension, becoming invulnerable and invisible to enemies while moving faster. Upon exiting, they create a disorienting field that affects nearby enemies.

Key Mechanics:

• Lasts for approximately 10-12 seconds
• Provides invisibility and invulnerability
• Enhanced movement speed while active
• Creates a disorienting effect for enemies upon exiting
• Requires 7 ultimate points to activate

Strategic Usage:

• Perfect for repositioning during difficult situations
• Use to safely plant or defuse the spike
• Gather information without risk
• Create chaos by suddenly appearing behind enemy lines
• Combine with team pushes to create multi-angle attacks

Limitations:

• Limited duration means timing is crucial
• Enemies can hear subtle audio cues while you’re in the alternate dimension
• The exit location can be predicted by attentive opponents
• Cannot shoot or use abilities while in the alternate dimension

Mastering Clove’s Playstyle

Clove’s kit positions them as a unique entry Duelist with self-sustainability as their core strength. Here’s how to approach playing as Clove:

Entry Fragging with Clove

Unlike traditional Duelists who rely on flashes or mobility to create space, Clove’s entry strategy revolves around their “Not Dead Yet” ability:

1. Communicate your entry plans with your team to ensure they’re ready to follow up
2. Activate “Not Dead Yet” before pushing contested areas
3. Take aggressive angles that would normally be high-risk
4. If killed, use the ghost state to gather information for your team
5. Upon revival, either continue the push or fall back depending on the situation
6. Coordinate with teammates to capitalize on the confusion your revival creates

The key mindset shift when playing Clove is understanding that your first life can be used more liberally than with other agents. Your ability to self-revive creates space not just through eliminations but through the disruption of enemy positioning and focus.

Sustainability and Team Support

Despite being a Duelist, Clove offers surprising team utility through their healing abilities:

1. Use “Pick Me Up” between engagements to recover health for yourself and nearby teammates
2. Deploy “Meddle” proactively when facing teams with healing capabilities
3. Position healing abilities strategically during post-plant or defense to create strongholds
4. Communicate healing availability to teammates so they can position accordingly
5. Prioritize self-healing when low on health to maintain your entry potential

This supportive aspect of Clove’s kit allows them to contribute value even when not securing frags, making them more versatile than many other Duelists.

Ultimate Usage Strategies

Clove’s ultimate, Dimension Drift, is one of the most versatile in the game. Here are optimal ways to use it:

1. Information Gathering: Use it to safely scout enemy positions before executing onto a site
2. Spike Operations: Activate it to safely plant or defuse the spike in contested situations
3. Repositioning: Use it to escape unfavorable situations or reposition for unexpected angles
4. Flanking: Drift behind enemy lines to create confusion and attack from unexpected angles
5. Team Play: Coordinate with team pushes to create multiple points of pressure simultaneously

The key to effective ultimate usage is timing and communication. Alert your team before activating so they can capitalize on the space and confusion you create.

Advanced Clove Techniques

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore some advanced techniques that will elevate your Clove gameplay:

Revival Baiting

This technique uses your “Not Dead Yet” ability to bait enemies into unfavorable positions:

1. Take an aggressive position where you’re likely to be traded
2. When killed, communicate enemy positions to your team
3. As enemies push to secure the area or trade teammates, complete your revival
4. Take advantage of enemies focused on your teammates to secure kills from unexpected angles

This technique is particularly effective in clutch situations or when enemies believe they have a numbers advantage.

Healing Field Stacking

By coordinating your healing abilities, you can create powerful healing zones:

1. Place “Pick Me Up” in a defensible position
2. Deploy “Meddle” overlapping the same area
3. The combined effect creates significantly enhanced healing
4. Hold this position with teammates during crucial moments like post-plant situations

This technique transforms ordinary corners into powerful strongholds that can be difficult for enemies to break through.

Dimension Hopping

This technique maximizes the disorienting effect of your ultimate:

1. Activate Dimension Drift near multiple enemies
2. Move unpredictably while in the alternate dimension
3. Exit the dimension in the middle of grouped enemies
4. Immediately begin shooting as the disorienting effect takes hold
5. Move erratically to take advantage of the confusion

The key is to exit your ultimate in positions where enemies have limited escape options or are already engaged with your teammates.

Post-Revival Patterns

Developing unpredictable patterns after revival keeps enemies guessing:

1. Sometimes immediately re-engage after revival
2. Other times, fall back to heal
3. Occasionally hold unusual angles expecting enemies to push your revival location
4. Mix up your post-revival weapon choice (switching between primary and secondary)

This unpredictability makes it difficult for opponents to develop counter-strategies against your revivals.

Clove’s Weapon Synergies

Clove’s kit pairs particularly well with certain weapons in Valorant’s arsenal:

Vandal/Phantom Synergy

The standard rifles work well with Clove’s entry style, providing:

• One-shot potential with Vandal for immediate post-revival kills
• Faster fire rate with Phantom when emerging from Dimension Drift
• Versatility at various ranges for both entry and post-revival scenarios

Shotgun Viability

Shotguns have unique synergy with Clove’s abilities:

• Judge or Bucky can be devastating when exiting Dimension Drift in close quarters
• The high burst damage complements the surprise factor of revival
• Particularly effective on maps with tight chokepoints like Split or Bind

Operator Considerations

While not the most natural pairing, the Operator can work with Clove’s kit:

• “Not Dead Yet” provides a safety net for aggressive Operator peeks
• Dimension Drift allows for safe repositioning after taking shots
• Consider this loadout primarily on defense or when playing more passively

Economy Management

Clove’s revival ability affects economic decisions:

• More willing to force buy since death is less punishing
• Can take economic risks that other agents might avoid
• Consider saving weapons for teammates when your revival is on cooldown

Team Compositions with Clove

Clove thrives in specific team compositions that complement their unique strengths:

Aggressive Composition

• Clove: Primary entry with self-sustainability
• Jett/Raze: Secondary Duelist for multi-angle attacks
• Skye/KAY/O: Initiator providing flashes and information
• Omen/Astra: Controller for space creation
• Killjoy/Cypher: Sentinel for flank protection

This composition excels at fast executes with Clove leading the charge, creating space through potential revival while the secondary Duelist capitalizes on the distraction.

Sustainable Composition

• Clove: Entry with healing capabilities
• Sage: Additional healing and resurrection
• Skye: Flashes and healing
• Viper: Controller with sustainability through toxic screen
• Chamber: Sentinel with escape ability

This composition creates a team that’s difficult to eliminate completely, with multiple sources of healing and second chances through Clove’s revival and Sage’s resurrection.

Map Control Composition

• Clove: Flexible entry and information gatherer
• Sova/Fade: Deep information gathering
• Brimstone: Precise smoke control
• Breach: Space creation through stuns and flashes
• Killjoy: Site anchoring and flank watching

This composition focuses on methodical map control with Clove using Dimension Drift to safely gather information while the team secures areas with utility.

Map-Specific Strategies for Clove

Clove’s effectiveness varies across Valorant’s map pool. Here’s how to adapt your approach to each map:

Ascent

Attacking Strategies:

• Use Dimension Drift to safely check mid control and catwalk
• Place healing fields in market or tree room during executes
• Revival is particularly effective when pushing A main or B main

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles on A main or B main with revival as backup
• Place healing fields near default plant spots during retakes
• Use Dimension Drift to safely rotate between sites

Key Positions:

• Mid catwalk for information gathering
• A main for aggressive entries
• B market for sustainable holds

Bind

Attacking Strategies:

• Utilize teleporters after revival to create unexpected rotations
• Place healing fields in hookah or lamps for sustained pressure
• Dimension Drift through Showers or B Long for deep information

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles in hookah or showers with revival safety
• Use healing fields in U-hall or CT for retake sustainability
• Dimension Drift between sites for rapid rotations

Key Positions:

• Hookah for aggressive control
• Showers for revival baiting
• Teleporter exits for surprise plays

Haven

Attacking Strategies:

• Dimension Drift through mid to scout all three sites
• Use healing fields in garage or A lobby during executes
• Revival is effective when pushing C long or A long

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles on C long or A long with revival backup
• Place healing fields on site during retakes
• Use Dimension Drift to quickly rotate between the three sites

Key Positions:

• Mid window for information control
• Garage for flexible rotations
• C long for aggressive peeks

Split

Attacking Strategies:

• Revival is particularly strong when pushing through mail or ropes
• Place healing fields in vents or ramen during executes
• Use Dimension Drift to safely check heaven areas

Defending Strategies:

• Hold close angles in mail or ropes with revival safety
• Place healing fields on retake paths
• Dimension Drift between sites for quick rotations

Key Positions:

• Mail room for aggressive control
• Vents for sustained pressure
• Heaven areas for vertical advantage

Icebox

Attacking Strategies:

• Revival works well when pushing through tubes or green
• Place healing fields near yellow or snowman during executes
• Use Dimension Drift to safely plant on difficult plant spots

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles near kitchen or blue with revival backup
• Place healing fields on common post-plant positions
• Use Dimension Drift to retake from unexpected angles

Key Positions:

• Kitchen area for site control
• Tube for aggressive pushes
• Yellow for sustainable holds

Breeze

Attacking Strategies:

• Dimension Drift is crucial for safely crossing open areas
• Place healing fields in cave or shop during executes
• Revival is effective when pushing through A main or mid pillars

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles on A main or tunnel with revival safety
• Place healing fields near default plant spots
• Use Dimension Drift to quickly rotate across the large map

Key Positions:

• Elbow for site control
• Mid pillars for information
• Cave for sustainable pressure

Fracture

Attacking Strategies:

• Revival is strong when pushing through arcade or dish
• Place healing fields in drop or tower during executes
• Use Dimension Drift to safely traverse zip lines

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles in arcade or dish with revival backup
• Place healing fields on retake paths
• Use Dimension Drift between sites for rapid rotations

Key Positions:

• Arcade for aggressive control
• Drop for surprise plays
• Dish for information gathering

Pearl

Attacking Strategies:

• Revival works well when pushing through art or main
• Place healing fields in club or connector during executes
• Use Dimension Drift to safely check B tower or A art

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles in art or water with revival safety
• Place healing fields on site during retakes
• Use Dimension Drift to quickly rotate between sites

Key Positions:

• Art for aggressive control
• Water for information gathering
• Mid link for flexible rotations

Lotus

Attacking Strategies:

• Revival is effective when pushing through main or rubble
• Place healing fields near door controls during executes
• Use Dimension Drift to safely navigate the rotating doors

Defending Strategies:

• Hold aggressive angles near doors with revival backup
• Place healing fields on retake paths
• Use Dimension Drift to quickly adapt to door rotations

Key Positions:

• Rubble for aggressive control
• Main for sustained pressure
• Door controls for strategic advantage

Countering Clove: Know Your Enemy

Understanding how to counter Clove is essential whether you’re playing as them or against them:

Effective Counter Agents

1. Cypher/Chamber: Trapwires and alarms can detect Clove during Dimension Drift through subtle interactions
2. Fade: Haunt can track Clove after revival, making follow-up kills easier
3. KAY/O: Suppression prevents revival and healing abilities
4. Sova: Recon dart can reveal Clove’s position after revival
5. Killjoy: Turret can automatically target Clove after revival

Counter Strategies

1. Finish the Kill: When downing Clove, prepare for their revival and be ready to eliminate them again
2. Ability Timing: Use detection abilities after Clove’s revival animation begins
3. Space Denial: Use molly abilities (Brimstone, Viper, Phoenix) on Clove’s body to damage them upon revival
4. Ultimate Tracking: Listen for audio cues during Dimension Drift to track Clove’s movement
5. Healing Denial: Avoid fighting in Clove’s healing fields when possible

Anti-Clove Utility Usage

1. Molly Abilities: Place on downed Clove to damage upon revival
2. Flash Abilities: Time flashes for when Clove completes revival
3. Smoke Abilities: Smoke Clove’s body to obscure their vision upon revival
4. Stun Abilities: Use when Clove exits Dimension Drift
5. Information Abilities: Deploy after killing Clove to track their revival

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Clove

Even experienced players make these errors when first picking up Clove:

1. Predictable Revival Patterns: Don’t always immediately re-engage after revival
2. Healing Field Placement: Avoid placing healing in exposed positions
3. Dimension Drift Exits: Don’t exit in predictable or exposed locations
4. Ability Overreliance: Don’t become dependent on revival as a crutch
5. Isolated Plays: Despite self-sustainability, avoid taking fights without team support
6. Ultimate Timing: Don’t use Dimension Drift too early in rounds
7. Healing Priority: Avoid prioritizing teammate healing over your Duelist responsibilities
8. Revival Cooldown Tracking: Always be aware of whether your revival is available

Clove’s Place in the Meta

As of the current meta, Clove occupies an interesting position in Valorant’s agent hierarchy:

Competitive Viability

Clove has shown strong potential in competitive play due to:

• Unique revival mechanic that creates space through disruption
• Self-sustainability reducing reliance on team resources
• Ultimate that provides safe information gathering

However, Clove faces challenges in organized play where:

• Teams are prepared for the revival mechanic
• Coordinated utility can counter revival effectively
• The lack of traditional space-creating abilities (flashes, movement) can be limiting

Professional Play Insights

Early professional adoption of Clove has revealed:

• Higher success on attack than defense
• Strong pairing with aggressive Initiators
• Map-dependent viability with stronger performance on maps like Bind and Ascent
• Evolving strategies as teams adapt to the new agent

For more insights on how Clove is being used in professional play, check out our VCT 2025 coverage.

Rank-Based Effectiveness

Clove’s effectiveness varies across the ranked ladder:

• Iron-Silver: Extremely effective as opponents struggle to counter revival
• Gold-Platinum: Still strong but requires more thoughtful ability usage
• Diamond-Ascendant: Balanced effectiveness as players adapt to counter strategies
• Immortal-Radiant: Requires creative ability usage to maintain effectiveness against aware opponents

Developing Your Clove Mastery: Practice Routine

To truly master Clove, follow this structured practice routine:

Mechanical Warmup (15-20 minutes)

1. Deathmatch focusing on first-bullet accuracy
2. Practice range for tracking and flicking
3. Strafe shooting practice for post-revival situations

Ability Practice (15 minutes)

1. Custom game to practice healing field placements
2. Revival timing exercises in common engagement spots
3. Dimension Drift pathways and exit locations

VOD Review (20 minutes)

1. Review your own Clove gameplay focusing on revival effectiveness
2. Study professional Clove players
3. Identify patterns in your decision-making to improve

Focused Ranked Games (2-3 games)

1. Apply specific techniques with clear objectives
2. Track revival value (kills after revival, space created)
3. Experiment with different weapon pairings

For more detailed guides on improving your aim to complement your Clove gameplay, check out our Aimbot Valorant guide for legitimate aim improvement techniques.

Clove Cosmetics and Personalization

While gameplay should be your primary focus, personalizing your Clove experience can enhance enjoyment:

Weapon Skins

Choose skins that provide clean visual feedback for post-revival situations:

• Minimalist designs for clear sightlines
• Distinct sound cues to track shots during hectic situations
• Consider Kitty Valorant Skins for a playful contrast to Clove’s serious abilities

Agent Skins and Variants

As Riot continues to release agent cosmetics, watch for Clove variants that:

• Provide clear visual feedback during ability usage
• Match your preferred aesthetic
• Potentially offer subtle competitive advantages through clarity

Keep an eye on the Valorant Night Market for potential deals on Clove-compatible cosmetics.

Conclusion: Mastering Clove in Valorant

Clove represents an innovative addition to Valorant’s Duelist category, offering a unique approach to entry fragging through self-sustainability rather than traditional mobility or flash abilities. Their revival mechanic fundamentally changes engagement dynamics, creating space through disruption and forcing enemies to adapt to an agent who effectively has two lives in crucial situations.

To truly master Clove, focus on:

1. Unpredictable revival patterns to keep enemies guessing
2. Strategic healing field placement to maximize sustainability
3. Creative Dimension Drift usage for information and repositioning
4. Understanding map-specific strategies to optimize effectiveness
5. Adapting to counter-strategies as opponents become more familiar with Clove

Remember that Clove’s true strength lies not in the revival mechanic itself, but in how it changes enemy behavior and creates opportunities for your team. The psychological impact of facing an agent who can return from death creates hesitation and disruption that skilled players can exploit.

As you continue your journey with Clove, focus on constant adaptation. The meta will evolve as players develop counter-strategies, requiring you to continuously refine your approach. For more insights on adapting to changing metas, check out our guide on How to Use Tejo in Valorant.

With dedicated practice and strategic thinking, Clove can become one of your most effective agents, offering a unique blend of aggression and sustainability that few other Duelists can match. Good luck on the battlefield, and I’ll see you in the ranks!

– Jackober, Diamond 2 Valorant Player