Does Icebox need a rework? Riot considering overhaul of the map

Riot Games might be planning another rework for its icy cold map, Icebox.

Valorant is packed with dusty maps that encourage long-range duels. Icebox is a major outlier in the map pool, but players aren’t big on bomb point B say it can be bland at times.

It seems that the developer is listening, and a rework is in the cards, streamer and caster Jakub “Lothar” Szygulski has revealed.

We had a short meeting with the VAL devs right now and some points are:
(I really hope i remember correctly)

1) No timeline for Replays/Demos yet
2) Icebox B site is being looked at
3) No upcoming Jett nerfs as of now
4) Mic bug is known and worked on

— DRX LotharHS (@LotharHS) September 3, 2021

Both casual and professional players have griped over the map’s vertical vantage points and a bomb point that limits creative play. The developer previously rolled in a bunch of tweaks to A site that significantly improved the design. While A site has many chokepoints that force the attacker to execute advanced strategies, B has a flat design that is a nuisance to play.

Professional players, including Tyson “TenZ” Ngo and Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom have previously voiced support for a rework for the B site to make it less tedious.

“I think B site on Icebox needs to be remade, maybe the map would actually be sick man,” ScreaM said.

There’s currently only one reliable way to get to the B site. Mid entry is highly challenging due to a wide container area where an Operator could easily lock things down. To contest these areas, attackers have only a few repetitive ways that make taking B control tiresome and difficult.

Getting site control is only the tip of the iceberg. It’s another challenge to plant the Spike on the bomb point that’s open from all angles. The same old strategies using Sage’s wall or Viper’s screen get countered in seconds. If you succeed in planting the Spike on B, post-positioning becomes a tall order due to the lack of hiding angles.

The A site is currently in a perfect state. Too many angles can sometimes be annoying, but it offers both sides an equal shot at winning. It’s evident that point B is in dire need of tweaks, and it seems like the developers agree.

While a rework might be in the pipeline, players shouldn’t expect it anytime soon. Riot Games like to give new acts some time to adjust before rolling out massive updates. Episode 3, Act 2 is set to release on September 6 with a brand new map Fracture and a battle pass.