One Way Smoke: What is a One-Way Smoke in Valorant?

A one-way smoke is a strategically placed smoke ability that allows the player who deployed it to see through or over the smoke while obscuring the vision of opponents on the other side. This creates a scenario where the player with the one-way smoke can see enemies’ feet or heads, giving them a significant tactical advantage and even a one-shot opportunity.

How Do You Set Up a One-Way Smoke?

Setting up a one-way smoke involves careful positioning. The smoke needs to be placed on ledges, boxes, or slight inclines to create a gap at the bottom or top, allowing visibility from one side while blocking it from the other. Here are a few agent-specific examples:

• Omen: Omen’s Dark Cover^[1] is highly versatile for one-way smokes. Players can place it on top of ledges or boxes to create a view gap at the bottom.
• Viper: Viper’s Poison Cloud can be deployed on elevated surfaces, such as ledges or the top of crates, creating a one-way effect.
• Brimstone: While Brimstone's Sky Smokes^[2] are less flexible, they can still be used effectively in certain map locations.
• Astra: Astra’s stars can be placed on walls or objects, allowing her to create one-way smokes with her Nebula ability.

What Are the Advantages of Using One-Way Smokes?

One-way smokes offer several strategic advantages:

1. Control and Denial: They allow defenders to hold angles and control key areas of the map more effectively. Attackers pushing through a one-way smoke are at a significant disadvantage, especially in chokepoints.
2. Information Gathering: Players can gather information about enemy movements without exposing themselves to danger.
3. Pressure and Delays: One-way smokes can delay enemy pushes and force opponents to waste time and resources clearing the smoke or taking alternative routes.

Where Can You Use One-Way Smokes Effectively?

Here are a few examples of effective one-way smoke placements:

• Bind (A Site): An Omen one-way smoke on the A Short box allows defenders to see the feet of attackers pushing through A Short while remaining hidden.
• Split (B Site): A Viper one-way smoke on the ledge near B Heaven can obscure attackers’ vision while giving defenders a clear line of sight.
• Haven (C Long): An Omen one-way smoke on the boxes near C Long provides defenders with a view of attackers' legs, giving early warnings of a push.

Mastering the use of one-way smokes in Valorant can give players a significant edge in gameplay. By practicing and understanding the best placements and timings, players can control key areas, gather critical information, and make more informed decisions during matches. Incorporating one-way smokes into your strategy is a step towards improving your overall performance and securing victories in Valorant.

References

1. [1] "Dark Cover". valorant.fandom.com. Retrieved August 03, 2024
2. [2] "Sky Smoke". valorant.fandom.com. Retrieved August 03, 2024