Valorant Smoke Guide: Best Tips And Tricks

In Valorant, playing as a Controller, or “smokes,” is a vital yet underrated role. While it might not be as flashy as landing highlight-worthy headshots, a skilled smoker can significantly impact the outcome of a match. Smokes are essential for denying information, obstructing sightlines, and giving your team the upper hand in engagements.

When used effectively, smokes can block key vision points, cut off enemy sightlines, and force opponents to make uncomfortable decisions, like pushing through a blind spot or wasting precious time waiting for the smoke to dissipate. On the flip side, poorly placed smokes can expose your team to unexpected angles or even disrupt your team’s strategy.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about playing smokes properly in Valorant, from understanding their purpose to mastering placement techniques. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn or an experienced player aiming to refine your skills, these tips will help you become a reliable Controller for your team. Let’s dive in!

The Basics of Playing Smokes in Valorant

Mastering the role of a smoker in Valorant starts with understanding the flow of the game and using smokes to control the map. A good smoker can disrupt enemy strategies, create opportunities for their team, and force opponents to make risky decisions. Communication with your team and reading the enemy’s movements are key to making impactful plays.

Smokes are most effective when used to:

1. Block Common Angles

Identify the spots enemies frequently use to peek early in the round. Placing smokes on these angles prevents the enemy from gaining early picks and denies valuable information about your team’s positioning and strategy.

2. Support Your Teammates

Be aware of where your teammates are and use your smokes to give them an edge. For example, block off one entry point so they can focus their attention elsewhere, minimizing the number of angles they need to cover.

3. Deny Critical Information

Use smokes strategically to blind areas that could reveal your team’s plans or allow the enemy to take potshots. On attack, smoke off areas that expose your push. On defense, smoke spots where the enemy might scout or prepare to execute.

4. Control Spike Locations

The position of the spike is critical to your smoke placement. On attack, use smokes to safely execute onto a site and block off dangerous angles. On defense, smoke entry points to force the attackers to blindly walk into your team’s setup, making it harder for them to plant the spike.

The Impact of Smokes on Opponents

Smokes inherently create uncertainty for your opponents. They force enemies to either delay their actions or risk pushing through blind, which usually puts them at a disadvantage. Use this to your team’s benefit by narrowing the angles your team needs to watch and creating choke points that are harder for the enemy to push through.

By keeping these core principles in mind, you’ll be better equipped to adapt your smoke placements based on the evolving game state. Smokes don’t just block vision—they dictate the pace and direction of the match.

How To Play Smokes On Offense

On offense, smokes play a critical role in shaping the flow of a round, creating opportunities for your team while disrupting the defenders. At the start of a round, use smokes to block off key angles where defenders might hold aggressive positions, ensuring safer movement for your team. If the team is split or contesting mid, prioritize smoking mid or areas near the spike carrier to keep the push secure. As your team approaches the site, shift your focus to smokes that block sightlines from common defensive positions like Heaven, CT spawn, or high-ground spots. This denies defenders clear visibility and forces them to reposition or blindly push through the smoke, giving your team the upper hand. During the spike plant, smokes can cover heavily watched areas and suppress defender strongholds, enabling your team to secure the site without unnecessary casualties. After planting, use smokes to block key entry points for the retake, forcing defenders to waste time or take risks. Additionally, smokes can safeguard your teammates in post-plant positions, denying flanking opportunities or dangerous peeks. The key to playing smokes effectively on offense is timing and adaptability—reading the situation and placing smokes that deny critical information while supporting your team’s momentum.

How To Play Smokes On Defense

On defense, smokes are primarily used to delay and disrupt the attackers while funneling them into areas where your team has the advantage. At the beginning of the round, place smokes strategically to block key entry points or sightlines, making it harder for the attackers to gather intel or push effectively. Avoid overusing smokes too early—reserve them until you have a clearer idea of where the enemy is committing. Placing smokes in mid or other contested areas can force the attackers to waste time or take a riskier approach. As the round progresses, use smokes to support your team’s rotations by covering dangerous sightlines, making it safer to reposition or reinforce the site under attack. Smokes on-site can also buy time for teammates to rotate and set up a stronger defense. Additionally, consider using smokes creatively by hiding inside them to surprise enemies, though this tactic requires caution as smokes don’t block bullets and can make you vulnerable to spray fire. Conversely, spraying through your own smokes can catch overconfident attackers off guard, especially if they try to use the cover for themselves. Effective defensive smoking relies on patience, timing, and a reactive approach to the evolving situation, ensuring you maximize their impact in slowing down and disrupting the enemy team.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of playing smokes in Valorant is essential for controlling the flow of matches and giving your team a competitive edge. Smokes are more than just visual obstructions—they are tools for denying information, forcing opponents into unfavorable situations, and providing your teammates with opportunities to succeed. Whether you’re on offense or defense, understanding how to time and place your smokes effectively can change the tide of battle. By practicing patience, learning from each game, and communicating with your team, you’ll become a crucial part of any lineup. Remember, a well-placed smoke can be the difference between victory and defeat.