Sunset in Valorant: Mastering the New Map’s Strategic Depths

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

Sunset: Valorant’s Los Angeles-Inspired Battleground

As a Diamond 2 player with over 1,000 hours in Valorant, I’ve seen the game evolve through numerous map additions, each bringing fresh strategic challenges to the tactical shooter landscape. When Riot Games unveiled Sunset, their Los Angeles-inspired map with a vibrant aesthetic and unique layout, I immediately recognized it would require dedicated study to master its intricacies.

Sunset represents Riot’s continued evolution in map design philosophy, blending the tactical depth Valorant is known for with visually distinct environments that provide clear callouts and memorable engagement points. Set in a colorful interpretation of Los Angeles with a Hispanic cultural influence, Sunset offers not just a fresh battlefield but a new canvas for strategic innovation.

In this expert guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about mastering Sunset – from its fundamental layout and key callouts to advanced strategies for both attacking and defending. I’ll cover agent selection recommendations, utility usage, economic approaches, and the evolving meta as players continue to explore this vibrant addition to the map pool. Whether you’re a newcomer who’s just created a Valorant account or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your approach to this map, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to elevate your gameplay on Sunset.

Sunset Map Overview and Layout

Sunset features a traditional three-lane design with two bomb sites, but introduces unique architectural elements and sightlines that create distinct strategic considerations.

Basic Layout Structure

Sunset follows a relatively straightforward layout:

1. A Site: Located on the eastern portion of the map, featuring multiple levels and an open plant area
2. B Site: Positioned on the western side, more enclosed with tighter angles and fewer entry points
3. Mid: A complex central area connecting both sites with multiple pathways and vertical elements

The map is notable for its vertical elements, with significant height variations throughout that create interesting engagement dynamics.

Key Areas and Callouts

A Site Area:

• A Main: Primary entrance to A site from attacker side
• A Lobby: Area just outside A Main
• Courtyard: Open area within A site with visibility to multiple angles
• Garden: Elevated position overlooking parts of A site
• Market: Connected area with visibility to site
• A Link: Pathway connecting A site to Mid

B Site Area:

• B Main: Primary entrance to B site from attacker side
• B Lobby: Area just outside B Main
• Records: Area within B site with cover elements
• B Back: Deeper portion of B site
• B Link: Pathway connecting B site to Mid

Mid Area:

• Mid Courtyard: Central open area
• Mid Market: Connected to Mid Courtyard
• Mid Top: Elevated position overlooking Mid
• Nest: Elevated position with visibility to multiple areas
• Palm: Area with distinctive palm tree visual marker

Other Key Areas:

• Attacker Spawn: Where attackers begin each round
• Defender Spawn: Where defenders begin each round

Unique Map Features

Sunset introduces several distinctive elements that influence gameplay:

1. Vertical Engagement Spaces: Multiple elevation changes create varied sightlines and engagement angles
2. Architectural Cover: Decorative elements provide unique cover positions not seen on other maps
3. Cultural Aesthetics: The Hispanic-influenced Los Angeles theme creates visually distinct areas for clear callouts
4. Lighting Dynamics: The sunset lighting creates specific visibility considerations in certain areas

These features combine to create a map that rewards positional awareness and creative angle usage.

Attacking Strategies on Sunset

Attacking on Sunset requires thoughtful approach selection and coordination. Here are comprehensive strategies for successful attacks.

A Site Execution Strategies

A Main Standard Execute:

1. Smoke Placement: Block Garden and Market sightlines
2. Flash Through Main: Use flashes to blind defenders watching the entrance
3. Take Courtyard Control: Establish presence in the open area
4. Plant Default: Plant in the common default position while teammates cover
5. Post-Plant Positions: Hold crossfires from Courtyard and A Main

A Site Split Push:

1. Send 1-2 Players Mid: Take Mid control and pressure from A Link
2. Main Group Delays: Hold A Main without fully committing
3. Coordinated Timing: Execute from both directions simultaneously
4. Utility Division: Split utility between both entry points
5. Plant Safe: Use the divided attention to secure a safe plant

A Site Fast Rush:

1. Preplace Utility: Have all utility ready for immediate use
2. Smoke and Go: Deploy smokes and immediately push through
3. Numbers Advantage: Overwhelm site with 4-5 players
4. Trade Effectively: Be prepared to trade kills if teammates fall
5. Quick Plant: Prioritize getting the spike down quickly

B Site Execution Strategies

B Standard Execute:

1. Clear B Lobby: Methodically clear close angles
2. Smoke B Back: Block defender vision from deeper positions
3. Flash Through Main: Blind defenders as you enter site
4. Take Records Control: Establish presence in this key area
5. Default Plant: Plant in the standard position

B Site Through Mid:

1. Take Mid Control: Secure Mid Courtyard and Mid Market
2. Pressure B Link: Use utility to push through the connector
3. Split Attention: Coordinate with players still in B Main
4. Utility Convergence: Focus utility from multiple angles
5. Crossfire Plant Cover: Set up crossfires to protect the planter

B Contact Play:

1. Quiet Approach: Move silently toward B without using utility
2. Wait for Rotations: Capitalize on defender rotations to A
3. Burst onto Site: Suddenly commit with coordinated utility
4. Quick Trades: Be positioned to immediately trade kills
5. Deep Post-Plant: Establish control of deeper areas post-plant

Mid Control Strategies

Mid control on Sunset is crucial for enabling flexible attacks:

1. Early Mid Presence: Establish presence in Mid Courtyard
2. Control Mid Market: Secure this position for rotation options
3. Hold Mid Top: Take this elevated position when possible
4. Utility Investment: Use utility to secure mid control safely
5. Information Gathering: Use mid control to gather defender setup information
6. Rotation Flexibility: Maintain the option to hit either site

Default Setups for Attacking

A strong default setup creates pressure and gathers information:

1. 1-3-1 Split: One player A Main, three Mid, one B Main
2. Map Control Focus: Focus on taking map control without committing
3. Information Gathering: Use utility to bait out defender utility
4. Adaptation Potential: Be ready to collapse on either site
5. Late-Round Execution: Use gathered information for informed late executes

For more insights on agent-specific attack strategies, check out guides like how to use Clove or how to use Tejo for detailed approaches with these agents.

Defending Strategies on Sunset

Defending Sunset effectively requires understanding optimal setups and rotation patterns.

A Site Defense Setups

Standard A Defense (2 Players):

1. Garden Position: One player holds elevated angle from Garden
2. Market Coverage: Second player watches from Market
3. Crossfire Establishment: Position to create crossfires
4. Utility Layering: Layer slows, alarms, and other utility
5. Retake Preparation: If overwhelmed, fall back to retake positions

A Site One-Player Hold:

1. Safe Positioning: Play from a position allowing retreat
2. Utility Delay: Focus on delaying with utility
3. Information Gathering: Prioritize gathering information over fighting
4. Call for Rotation: Communicate clearly for timely rotations
5. Fall Back Decision: Know when to give site and play for retake

A Site Aggressive Defense:

1. Push A Main: Take aggressive control with flash support
2. Gather Information: Identify attack strength and composition
3. Utility Disruption: Disrupt attack timing with well-placed utility
4. Fall Back Path: Have clear path to retreat if needed
5. Delay Focus: Focus on delaying rather than securing kills

B Site Defense Setups

Standard B Defense (2 Players):

1. Records Position: One player holds from Records
2. B Back Coverage: Second player watches from B Back
3. Crossfire Establishment: Create complementary angles
4. Utility Coverage: Cover B Main and B Link with utility
5. Retake Coordination: Plan retake positions if site is lost

B Site One-Player Hold:

1. Off-Angle Positioning: Hold unexpected angles
2. Utility Maximization: Use utility to create multiple threats
3. Information Priority: Focus on information over engagement
4. Clear Communication: Call enemy movements precisely
5. Delay Tactics: Use map geometry to delay pushes

B Site Aggressive Defense:

1. B Lobby Control: Contest B Lobby with utility support
2. Information Gathering: Identify attack composition
3. Utility Disruption: Break attack momentum with utility
4. Safe Retreat Path: Ensure you can fall back safely
5. Rotation Communication: Call for precise rotations based on information

Mid Control Defense

Controlling Mid is crucial for successful defense on Sunset:

1. Mid Courtyard Contest: Use utility to contest initial control
2. Mid Market Hold: Maintain presence in Mid Market when possible
3. Mid Top Utilization: Use this elevated position for information
4. Utility Investment: Commit utility to slow mid control
5. Rotation Facilitation: Use mid control to enable faster rotations
6. Information Gathering: Mid control provides crucial attack information

Rotation Strategies

Effective rotations are essential on Sunset:

1. Mid-Based Rotations: Use mid control to enable faster rotations
2. Timing Awareness: Understand timing for different rotation paths
3. Partial Rotations: Sometimes rotating one player is sufficient
4. Utility Usage: Use utility to cover rotations
5. Fake Rotation Sounds: Sometimes make rotation sounds without committing

For sentinel players looking to lock down sites, our guide on how to use Sage in Valorant offers valuable insights that apply well to Sunset’s defensive requirements.

Agent Selection for Sunset

Choosing the right agents for Sunset significantly impacts your success on the map.

Top Controllers for Sunset

Controllers are essential for managing Sunset’s sightlines:

1. Omen: Versatile smoke placement for the map’s varied elevations
2. Brimstone: Precise smoke deployment for executes
3. Astra: Global presence valuable for the map’s size
4. Viper: Strong for specific site executes and post-plant

Effective Duelists

Duelists who excel on Sunset include:

1. Jett: Vertical mobility synergizes with the map’s elevation changes
2. Raze: Satchel movement valuable for navigating the map
3. Reyna: Flash effectiveness in the map’s corridors
4. Phoenix: Curved flashes work well with the map’s architecture

Valuable Initiators

These initiators provide particular value on Sunset:

1. Sova: Recon abilities effective on the map’s open areas
2. Fade: Haunt covers significant portions of sites
3. KAY/O: Suppression particularly valuable for site executes
4. Skye: Information gathering and flash support

Sentinel Selection

Strong sentinels for Sunset include:

1. Killjoy: Setups effective for site control
2. Cypher: Tripwire placement options abundant
3. Chamber: Teleport valuable for repositioning
4. Sage: Wall creates powerful position denial

Recommended Team Compositions

Based on the map’s characteristics, these compositions work well:

Standard Composition:

• Controller: Omen
• Duelist: Jett
• Initiator: Sova
• Sentinel: Killjoy
• Flex: Second duelist or initiator

Aggressive Composition:

• Controller: Brimstone
• Duelist: Raze
• Duelist: Jett
• Initiator: KAY/O
• Sentinel: Chamber

Control-Focused Composition:

• Controller: Astra
• Duelist: Reyna
• Initiator: Fade
• Sentinel: Cypher
• Sentinel: Sage

For more detailed agent guides, explore our resources on agents like Clove and Tejo to understand their specific applications on Sunset.

Essential Utility Usage on Sunset

Understanding optimal utility placement is crucial for success on Sunset.

Smoke Placements

A Site Attack Smokes:

• Garden smoke: Blocks elevated position
• Market smoke: Cuts off defensive angle
• A Link smoke: Controls rotation potential

B Site Attack Smokes:

• B Back smoke: Blocks deeper defensive positions
• Records smoke: Controls central site area
• B Link smoke: Prevents crossfires from connector

Defensive Smokes:

• A Main smoke: Delays initial push
• Mid Courtyard smoke: Controls mid presence
• B Main smoke: Forces attackers into tighter spaces

Wall Placements (Sage/Viper)

Attacking Walls:

• A Site divider: Splits defender positions
• B Site entry: Creates safe plant opportunity
• Mid control: Secures elevated positions

Defending Walls:

• A Main block: Forces attackers through chokes
• B Main denial: Creates one-way situations
• Mid division: Controls rotation options

Information Gathering Utility

Attacking Information:

• Sova recon for A Site: Reveals Garden and Market
• Fade haunt for B Site: Covers multiple angles
• KAY/O knife for Mid: Reveals utility-dependent defenders

Defending Information:

• Cypher camera positions: Hidden spots with wide visibility
• Sova recon for push detection: Covers main entrances
• Fade prowlers for flank detection: Controls multiple pathways

Flashes and Blinds

The most effective flash points on Sunset include:

1. A Main entry: Flash through the entrance
2. B Main push: Pop flash around the corner
3. Mid Courtyard control: Flash over obstacles
4. A Link push: Flash from connector to site
5. Retake flashes: Coordinate for site reentry

Post-Plant and Retake Strategies

Mastering post-plant and retake scenarios is essential for success on Sunset.

A Site Post-Plant

Default Plant Post-Plant:

1. Courtyard Control: Maintain presence in the open area
2. Garden Denial: Use utility to prevent retakes from this elevated position
3. A Main Coverage: Watch the main entrance for retakes
4. A Link Control: Prevent flanks from mid
5. Crossfire Establishment: Set up complementary angles

Safe Plant Post-Plant:

1. Deep Control: Hold deeper positions on site
2. Utility Layering: Use damage utility on common defuse spots
3. Crossfire Positions: Hold from multiple angles
4. Information Utility: Deploy recon abilities to detect retake paths
5. Time Management: Play for time when advantageous

B Site Post-Plant

Default Plant Post-Plant:

1. Records Control: Maintain presence in this key area
2. B Back Denial: Use utility to prevent retakes from deeper positions
3. B Main Coverage: Watch for retakes through main
4. B Link Control: Prevent mid retakes
5. Elevated Position Usage: Use height advantages when available

Safe Plant Post-Plant:

1. Deeper Positions: Hold from B Back when possible
2. Utility for Common Defuse: Place damage utility on the spike
3. Information Gathering: Deploy recon abilities strategically
4. Time Management: Play the clock when in advantage
5. Crossfire Establishment: Coordinate positions with teammates

A Site Retake

Effective A site retakes follow these principles:

1. Garden Recapture: Retake the elevated position when possible
2. Market Approach: Use this path for unexpected angles
3. Utility Clearing: Use flashes and recon to clear common spots
4. Coordinated Push: Time utility and pushes together
5. Defuse Protection: Establish positions to protect the defuser

B Site Retake

B site retakes require these approaches:

1. Multi-Angle Approach: Retake from both B Main and B Link when possible
2. Records Clearing: Methodically clear this central position
3. Utility Sequence: Layer utility to clear positions systematically
4. Crossfire Breaking: Use utility to break post-plant crossfires
5. Defuse Coverage: Coordinate to protect the defuser

Economic Strategies for Sunset

Understanding map-specific economic approaches improves your consistency on Sunset.

Attack Economy

1. Mid Control Investment: Consider investing utility for mid control on eco rounds
2. B Site Eco Pushes: B site offers better eco push opportunities
3. Save Round Approaches: Use save rounds to gather information on defensive setups
4. Force Buy Timing: Consider forcing after winning pistol for momentum
5. Ultimate Economy: Certain ultimates like Viper’s or Killjoy’s offer high value on specific sites

Defense Economy

1. A Site Economy: One-player A holds can be effective on partial buys
2. Mid Investment Priority: Prioritize utility for mid control even on eco rounds
3. Retake Economy: Consider saving for retakes when significantly outgunned
4. Force Buy Strategies: Forcing with Judge can be effective in tight spaces
5. Ultimate Value Assessment: Certain ultimates offer exceptional defensive value

Operator Economy

The Operator has specific value on Sunset:

1. A Garden Operator: Strong position for defensive Operator
2. Mid Top Operator: Controls significant sightlines
3. B Back Operator: Can control B Main effectively
4. Attack Operator Positions: Limited but effective in post-plant

For players interested in maximizing their economic efficiency, tracking your Valorant Purchase History can help identify spending patterns and optimize your approach.

Sunset’s Evolving Meta

Since its introduction, Sunset’s meta has evolved as players discover optimal strategies.

Initial Meta Trends

When Sunset first entered the map pool:

1. A Site Preference: Teams favored A site executes
2. Defensive Aggression: Defenders took aggressive mid control
3. Operator Dominance: Certain Operator positions proved extremely powerful
4. Agent Selection Patterns: Controllers like Omen saw high pick rates

Current Meta Evolution

As players have adapted to the map:

1. Balanced Site Selection: More even distribution between A and B executes
2. Mid Priority: Increased focus on mid control from both sides
3. Utility Innovation: New utility setups for both attack and defense
4. Composition Refinement: More specialized team compositions

Professional Play Insights

Observing professional play on Sunset reveals:

1. Methodical Approaches: Pros favor structured mid control into site executes
2. Sentinel Value: Increased appreciation for sentinel utility
3. Post-Plant Mastery: Sophisticated post-plant setups
4. Retake Coordination: Highly coordinated retake strategies

For the latest on how professional teams like MIBR are approaching Sunset in competitive play, follow our coverage of the VCT 2025 season.

Improving Your Individual Performance on Sunset

Beyond team strategies, individual performance on Sunset can be enhanced through specific approaches.

Map-Specific Aim Training

Improve your aim for Sunset’s unique engagements:

1. Elevation Adjustment: Practice adjusting aim for different elevations
2. Common Angle Preparation: Train pre-aiming common positions
3. Flick Training: Develop flicks for clearing multiple angles
4. Spray Control: Practice recoil control for common engagement distances

For detailed aim improvement techniques, check out our Aimbot Valorant guide (focusing on legitimate training methods, not cheats).

Movement Optimization

Effective movement on Sunset involves:

1. Elevation Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between heights
2. Jump Spots: Learn key jump spots for unexpected angles
3. Silent Movement Paths: Identify paths for quiet rotations
4. Peek Techniques: Master different peek methods for various corners

Sound Cue Awareness

Sunset has unique audio considerations:

1. Elevation Sound Differences: Understand how sound travels between levels
2. Material-Based Sound Cues: Different surfaces create distinct sounds
3. Rotation Sound Timing: Learn the timing for rotation sounds
4. Fake Sound Usage: Use sound cues to create misdirection

Minimap Usage

Optimize your minimap usage for Sunset:

1. Ping Communication: Use precise pings for complex callouts
2. Minimap Awareness: Check minimap for teammate positioning
3. Enemy Tracking: Track spotted enemies on the minimap
4. Rotation Timing: Use minimap to time rotations perfectly

Communication and Callouts

Effective communication is crucial on a complex map like Sunset.

Essential Callouts

Master these critical callouts for clear communication:

1. Precise Location Callouts: Use specific terms like “Garden,” “Records,” etc.
2. Numbered Callouts: For ambiguous areas, use numbers (e.g., “B1,” “B2”)
3. Elevation Indicators: Specify “Top” or “Bottom” for multi-level areas
4. Enemy Utility Callouts: Call out significant enemy utility placement
5. Damage Information: Communicate damage dealt to enemies

Rotation Calls

Clear rotation communication includes:

1. Timing Calls: Indicate how quickly you can rotate
2. Path Selection: Communicate which route you’re taking
3. Support Requests: Call for utility support during rotations
4. Enemy Rotation Calls: Share information about enemy movements
5. Fake Rotation Coordination: Coordinate deliberate sound cues

Post-Plant Communication

Effective post-plant calls include:

1. Position Reporting: Share your post-plant position
2. Enemy Location Updates: Communicate spotted enemies
3. Utility Status: Report available utility for defuse denial
4. Time Awareness: Call out time remaining at key intervals
5. Defuse Sound Alerts: Call out when you hear defuse sounds

For players looking to improve their team communication, joining Valorant Discord communities can help you find teammates to practice with.

Adapting to Sunset on Different Platforms

With Valorant Console development underway and questions about Valorant crossplay emerging, it’s worth considering how Sunset might play differently across platforms.

Console Considerations

When Sunset becomes available on console:

1. Controller Aim Challenges: Certain angles may be more difficult with controller aim
2. Button Mapping Optimization: Create efficient layouts for utility usage
3. Visual Clarity: Adjust visual settings for optimal visibility
4. Communication Adaptation: Adapt to potentially different communication methods

Crossplay Implications

If crossplay becomes available:

1. Input Method Advantages: Understand which positions favor different input methods
2. Communication Integration: Adapt to cross-platform communication tools
3. Pace Differences: Adjust to potentially different pace of play
4. Utility Usage Variations: Recognize different utility usage patterns

The Aesthetic Experience of Sunset

Beyond gameplay, Sunset offers a unique aesthetic experience worth appreciating.

Visual Design Elements

Sunset’s distinctive visual elements include:

1. Hispanic Cultural Influences: Architectural and decorative elements
2. Los Angeles Inspiration: Recognizable LA aesthetics
3. Warm Color Palette: Sunset lighting creates a warm atmosphere
4. Distinctive Area Visuals: Each area has unique visual characteristics

Complementary Cosmetics

Enhance your aesthetic experience with:

1. Thematic Skin Selection: Choose skins that complement the map’s colors
2. Kitty Valorant Skins: These playful skins create an interesting contrast with Sunset’s atmosphere
3. Player Card Coordination: Select cards that match the map’s theme
4. Spray Placement: Use sprays that blend with the environment

Keep an eye on the Valorant Night Market for deals on skins that complement Sunset’s aesthetic.

Community Resources for Mastering Sunset

The Valorant community has developed numerous resources for improving on Sunset.

Community Guides and Videos

Valuable resources include:

1. Lineup Videos: YouTube tutorials for agent-specific utility lineups
2. Pro VOD Reviews: Analysis of professional play on Sunset
3. Reddit Strategy Threads: Community discussions on emerging tactics
4. Coaching Resources: Map-specific coaching content

Custom Game Practice

Utilize custom games for:

1. Utility Practice: Test utility lineups without pressure
2. Angle Familiarization: Learn common angles and counters
3. Timing Practice: Understand exact timing for rotations and pushes
4. Team Strategy Development: Practice executes with your team

Community Events

Participate in:

1. Map-Specific Tournaments: Competitions focusing on Sunset
2. Community Scrims: Organized practice matches
3. VOD Review Sessions: Group analysis of gameplay
4. Strategy Workshops: Collaborative strategy development

If you’re looking to change your identity to reflect your Sunset expertise, check out our guide on Valorant Name Change for information on updating your in-game identity.

Conclusion: Mastering the Sunset Experience

Sunset represents Riot Games’ continued evolution in map design, offering a vibrant, tactically rich environment that rewards both creativity and disciplined execution. As a Diamond 2 player who’s invested significant time in understanding this map, I’ve found that success on Sunset comes from balancing structured approaches with adaptive play.

The map’s unique layout, with its vertical elements and culturally inspired aesthetics, creates opportunities for innovative strategies that aren’t possible on other maps. Whether you’re holding an unexpected angle from Garden, executing a perfectly timed split through Mid, or clutching a post-plant from Records, Sunset rewards players who take the time to truly understand its nuances.

As the meta continues to evolve and players discover new approaches, staying updated and flexible will be key to maintaining an edge on this map. I encourage you to experiment with different agent compositions, utility setups, and strategic approaches to find what works best for your playstyle and team.

Remember that mastery comes through deliberate practice and analysis. Use custom games to learn lineups, review your gameplay to identify patterns, and stay connected with the community to learn from others’ discoveries. With dedication and the insights provided in this guide, you’ll be able to turn the vibrant streets of Sunset into your personal playground for tactical excellence.

I hope this comprehensive breakdown helps you navigate and dominate on Valorant’s Los Angeles-inspired battleground. Good luck, and I’ll see you on Sunset!

– Jackober, Diamond 2 Valorant Player