Valorant: How to master Clove in 2024
Clove is Valorant's latest Controller and they can be a lot of fun to play as. They are a near-perfect fit for Omen mains who are used to a certain range when it comes to smoking-off areas. Playing as Clove also provides players with some much-needed flexibility. Their unique Pick-Me-Up ability allows self-healing, setting them apart as the only Controller with this feature. Everyone loves a little health boost, making this Agent a valuable addition to any team.
Furthermore, Clove is a rather helpful Controller in Valorant, and maximizing their potential means working well with smoke timings, pushing out fearlessly at times, and finding the room for solo plays. This guide will explain how you can try to master Clove.
All abilities of Clove in Valorant
Clove is a Controller, which means providing smokes is their responsibility. Much like Omen and Brimstone, this Agent too is bound by space. Make sure you are in a good position to provide the smoke on time. Playing as Clove on larger maps can always be difficult. However, this guide will shed some light on their abilities.
Ruse (E)- Signature ability
Since they are a Controller, their main or signature ability is the Ruse, a smoke that lasts for about 13.5 seconds. Uniquely, Clove's smokes regenerate, ensuring it never runs out. They can also use the Ruse in a limited area after dying.
Pick-Me-Up- 200 credits
After killing or damaging an opponent, Clove can absorb their life force and gain a temporary speed and health boost much like Reyna's Devour.
Meddle (Q)- 250 credits
Equip an orb that can be launched over a certain distance. Once it times out it erupts, causing any enemies hit by the explosion to decay by up to 90 HP maximum.
Not Dead Yet- 8 ultimate orbs
Finally, their ultimate is called Not Dead Yet. Clove can come back to life after being shot down. However, they must gain an assist or a kill within 12 seconds to stay alive.
How to master Clove in Valorant?
To master Clove in Valorant, understand the difference between pushing and holding. This is one of the most versatile Controllers in the game. You can play defensively without the ultimate or the (C) ability.
However, as soon as you have them, you can go out and hunt your opponents down.
Ruse mastery
The Ruse is a regenerating smoke, which means Clove can keep providing cover for as long as they desire. In fact, they can also smoke off areas after dying in the game. Observing the map almost constantly is key while playing on any Controller. Look at Clove's position on Ascent in the image.
They are situated in the Mid area in Pizza from where both A and B Site main entrances can be smoked. Position yourself well on the map to maximize your smoking potential as Clove.
Pick-Me-Up mastery
With Pick-Me-Up, Pistol rounds, and opponent's low-buy rounds can be dominated. Don't hesitate to push forward with your Duelists when you have this ability. Remember, save the healing for when you have taken a significant chunk of damage as this is when you will need it most.
Unlike Reyna's Devour, Clove's Pick-Me-Up times out and cannot be brought back in the same round. Hence, try to take as many fights as possible if your team has committed to staying on the site of choice.
Your health is your greatest advantage and pistol rounds can be won with ease with the extra health boost. Play with a Reyna or an Iso to frustrate your Valorant opponents even more.
Meddle mastery
The Meddle can go over a certain distance before erupting. It may erupt mid-air so try to launch it in a manner that it stays close to the ground. Throw it towards the back of the site, in chokepoints such as B Halls in Bind or A Backsite in Haven. When entering a site, always try to pre-fire it as your teammates move in, making it easier for them to secure a frag in Valorant.
During defensive rounds, try and launch it towards Orbs and pair it up with Shock Bolts or other damaging utility to get instant drops on the enemy.
Not Dead Yet mastery
Finally, another tool that can help you play aggressively with Clove is the Not Dead Yet. With this ability, you can go ahead of your Initiators or Duelists to act as an intel-gathering entity in the least. If you get defeated, you can quickly come back and continue your quest.
Make sure you have at least one or two allies pushing right behind so that you have cover as you return to safety to continue pushing. It's a second chance at life so use it as soon as possible to take initial frags without losing a member of your team. That member is yourself.
You can also release a Ruse on the map to ensure you have cover to return to after being eliminated.
Where to pick Clove in Valorant?
Clove makes for a brilliant Controller on most maps in Valorant. However, for larger maps like Lotus, Haven, and Abyss, you may require a secondary smoker namely Omen, Viper, or even Harbor.
On maps like Ascent, Bind, and perhaps even Icebox, Clove can work as a solo Controller. Use them in a manner where you alternate between aggressive and defensive strategies. Prioritize collecting orbs to activate the ultimate that may as well get you a free round.