As Valorant's first Omega Earth location, the Pearl map comes with plenty of intricasies that need to be learned and mastered.

With Valorant Episode 5: Dimension finally showing a means to travel to the Omega Earth dimension, fans are treated to not just a publicly-celebrated Omega VALORANT Protocol but also its first Omega Earth location: the Pearl Map. Boasting one of the largest map areas in the game, the Pearl Map offers equal levels of intensity with its multiple chokepoints and rather open battlefields. As such, Valorant players have to reassess their combat approach when fighting on this larger map.

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However, just because the Pearl Map seems complicated doesn’t mean it’s impossible to study. In fact, just a few guidelines and an in-depth understanding of an Agent’s lineup can enable players to dominate any aspect of the Pearl Map quite easily. However, just how should players approach this new location?

Added to Valorant as of the June 2022 patch, the Pearl Map is a unique nighttime setting with a rather expansive area. Located in Omega Earth’s version of Lisbon, Portugal, this map is canonically an underwater city. Aside from the rather imposing central monument of a person holding a large smoking globe, the rest of Pearl is comprised of houses and structures of European architecture, like that of a crowded city street.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Pearl is how it’s the first post-release map in Valorant to not have any dynamic mechanics or special rulesets that change the flow of battle. However, this “ordinary” nature of the Pearl Map makes it all the more flexible, giving players a blank slate to make into their personal battleground. Here are other notable components:

Perhaps the most attacker-friendly position in the Pearl Map, the A-Site side of the map is rather notable for its straightforward appearance. Extremely prominent on the A-Site side are areas such as the rather decorative A-Restaurant, the open but tight corner of A-Main, and the multiple openings of A-Dugout, A-Flowers, and A-Link, perfect for Valorant's full-auto weapons.

Of all the areas in the Pearl Map, it’s the A-Site side that is the most “direct” in terms of its approach. Outside a Mid-Area approach, going through A-Restaurant and A-Main is the most straightforward way of getting to the A-Site, making assaults and defenders extremely apparent. Here are some notable elements:

Due to the straightforward nature of the A-Site, it’s expected for defenders to anticipate attackers to come from either A-Main or A-Art. As such, players on the offense are encouraged to either overwhelm the Site with a direct assault with Valorant Duelists like Jett or do a rush-plant with an Initiator like Fade on the flank to disrupt the defense. Here are some things to pay attention to:

Again, due to the straightforward nature of A-Site, it helps to consider flank defense as part of the protection methods in this area. Aside from anticipating an assault from A-Main, a mid-based approach might happen due to the relative “safety” of A-Site compared to the open area of B-Main on B-Site side. Here are things to consider:

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One of the most interesting parts of the Pearl Map is its Mid-Section, primarily because there are not just one but rather two “middle” areas available for players to traverse. There’s the Mid Plaza for the attackers and their flanking, and Mid Connector for defenders and their rotation. Understanding the quick ways of traversing these areas or even smoking them with the likes of Brimstone can make quick work of traveling the large map.

Given the rather “large” Mid-Section of the Pearl Map, it helps to strategically understand the quickest ways to reach certain points in the map, especially when rotating from one site to the next. Here are some callouts to consider:

One of the highlights of Valorant's Pearl Map is how advantageous it could get for attackers, particularly for its flanking-friendly Mid-Section. After all, accessing Mid Plaza alone is more than enough to dictate whether an original Site assault is possible or if there’s a need for a quick flank. Here are things to take note:

While the Pearl Map is heavily attacker-friendly, it doesn’t mean the defense is impossible here. Due to the straightforward nature of Sites in the area, it’s also relatively easy to rotate to Sites should the Spike be planted in either location. Here are things to take note:

Contrary to the more open A-Site is the more complicated B-Site, a rather narrower option for attackers to assault and defend on the get-go. Notable in the B-Site is the stretch of the B-Main that includes the B-Ramp and the B-Screen, already inviting intense firefights. Not only that, but the traversable second-floor tunnels of B-Tower and B-Tunnel add a unique level of verticality to matches.

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Players who tour around Pearl would immediately identify that the ideal strategy in B-Site is to secure either its open areas or vertical points. Compared to the more direct A-Site side, players can approach B-Site side in a multitude of ways depending on their priorities. Notable areas include:

At first glance, attackers would look at B-Site as a nightmare to assault due to the existence of B-Main, prompting a rather obvious mid-based approach. However, players could use this predictability to their advantage if they know the kind of assault they want to pull off. Here are things to consider:

While the B-Site seems immediately disadvantageous for the direct assault, some attackers would still dare breach the B-Main proper for a straightforward shootout. This is a likely diversion tactic for mid-area flanks, which means defenders should anticipate these things when defending B-Site:

Unlike other maps in Valorant, the Pearl Map features quite a lot of nooks and crannies that complement its rather large floor area. As such, Agents that are capable of maximizing corners are extremely recommended here, instead of Agents that work with larger spaces. Here are ideal Agents that may work well with the Pearl Map:

Valorant Episode 5: Dimension was released on June 22, 2022, and the game can be played on PC.

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Rhenn is a Manila-based content writer with a love for all things geek and pop culture, and science and technology. He has a BA Journalism degree, and has since then pursued making content about geek culture. Rhenn used to write for a couple of geek and gaming publications, and also served as editor-in-chief for Philippines-based What's A Geek!. He constantly plays video games but also takes the time to try out older titles. If he's not playing video games, he's probably playing TTRPGs.