The best Icebox smokes: Attack and defense setups

Updated on May 9, 12:10 p.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy.

Icebox is a map that has seen some changes since its original release, especially around B main and mid.

But what are the best Icebox smokes on both attack and defense and the best controller to pick?

On Icebox, there are a lot of long stretches and huge areas that need to be covered if you want to attack a site or put up a strong defense.

We’ve compiled a list of the top Icebox smokes locations for both attackers and defenders on Icebox, so let’s dive into it.

The best Valorant smoke controller agents for Icebox

While both Harbor and Viper do give you the coverage you need through their High Tide and Toxic Screen abilities respectively, Viper provides the edge, since her ultimate also can prove to make or break rounds on this map. 

While teams do pick up other agents like Omen or Brimstone on occasion, these are usually combined with a Viper.

Combined with her Poison Cloud and Snake Bite mollies, Viper provides both post-plant utility and denial tactics, along with a nice debuff to players who pass through her smokes.

Viper has been a favorite on this map since its introduction and should continue to be the controller of choice on Icebox for the above reasons. Viper’s Icebox smokes are effective on both attack and defense as you will see below.

Best Icebox smokes for Attackers

A site push

If your team is looking to attack and take control of the A site, place down your wall as shown. Take care to aim upwards while placing your wall to avoid truncating your smoke abruptly.

Aside from the wall, you can also throw your Poison Orb down to cover common Operator angles as shown.

As you push up, be careful to check for aggressively pushed-up defenders inside A nest and on A pipes.

A site attacking ultimate

One of the main reasons Viper is the controller of choice on Icebox, aside from her walls is also her ultimate — Viper’s Pit.

This ultimate covers most of the site depending on how you place it, and can be useful in preventing site takes or denying retakes.

You can adapt the position of this ultimate depending on where you plant but the above one lets you position yourself on-site and play on top of the 410 box.

B site push

Icebox saw major changes come in on B main.

The closer angles have been widened and the angle is more visible from Yellow for the defenders. However, the attacking Icebox smokes mainly need a Viper wall for pushing the site.

This wall serves the purpose of blocking vision from not just Snowman but also the top of B site.

B site attacking ultimate

Viper’s ultimate can be an incredibly powerful tool in controlling the site and maintaining that control. Enemies who walk into the ult steadily see their health decay down to one HP.

While this is regained after your opponent gets out of the ultimate, you and your teammates will find it easier to net kills within it.

Mid control

Another popular execute is through mid, usually under the tube. Even with the Icebox changes, this execute remains a popular choice.

Done either as a pure mid-to-B attack or a mid and B main split, mid control can prove to be valuable on Icebox.

Both of the above Icebox smokes are useful for attackers, depending on whether you would like to simply take the B site or contest the control of tube as well.

Best Icebox smokes for defenders

Defense Icebox smokes can be vital in delaying the opponent team from their goal of taking control of a site. Viper in particular, in conjunction with her Snake bite, excels at this. They can also be used in retakes.

A site

The standard Viper wall for defense on A site goes directly over the 410 box. The wall is useful not just in the beginning of the round but also for retakes.

A site one way

A more pre-emptive smoke that can be useful to take early engagements is a one way.

A good one way for A site is to put your Poison Orb on top of Pipes. You can play more off angles, or even camp inside your own Orb with a shotgun for some sneaky plays.

A site defensive ultimate

We’ve talked about the effectiveness of a Viper ultimate and how it can often be a win condition for a round. A great place to use it early-round on A site is on top of pipes.

Take the zipline to the point shown, ult, and you will be able to anchor the site.

B site

The classic Viper wall for defense on the B site cuts off visibility toward Snowman and the site. Similar to the wall on A, the wall is useful for retakes.

B site one way

Analogous to the A one way, there is a similar defensive Poison Orb available on the B site.

This goes on top of the box on B green towards B main. You can see the position of the one way below. Both of these Icebox smokes used in tandem can make pushing onto site very difficult.

B site defensive ultimate

The defensive ultimate for the B site covers B main completely. With the ultimate covering both lanes of B main, it makes taking the site for the attacking enemies so much harder.

These Viper Icebox smokes, whether you’re on attack or defense, will have to be carefully cycled since Viper’s fuel levels drain and recharge.

Keep an eye on your reservoirs throughout the game. Also, combine her abilities with the rest of the team, such as recon darts and mollies from agents like Killjoy.

Take over the new Icebox in your ranked battles.

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