Icebox changes drastically in Patch 4.04

An actively present map in professional VALORANT, Icebox is receiving a large amount of impactful changes that will affect almost all areas of the map in Patch 4.04. From the width of B Green to the head peek in A Pipes, both the defending and the attacking sides of the map will have to get used to these changes.

Icebox changes: B Site

B Green – Doorway from Attacker spawn building near Green lane moved to the first cubby.

This change is to give attackers a new way to approach B Green instead of having to enter from two similar positions.

B Green –Green lane slightly widened.

This change is to make moving through this space more comfortable.

B Green – Pocket in Green lane near Yellow extended.

This change is to make angles toward B Site and Snowman more clear and readable.

B Yellow – Yellow container adjusted and new stack of crates added.

As players have settled into Icebox, Riot has noticed a lot of rounds revolve around anchoring down behind yellow during post plant situations. This change should allow Yellow to retain some power while adding more value to holding space on the actual site.

B Site – Lower container removed and geometry adjusted into a cubby facing Green and the doorway on the upper container widened and it’s position adjusted.

This should allow players to better isolate fights around the site and make utility usable more meaningful.

B Site – Outer wall on B site and crane structure brought in toward the site.

Narrowing the site allows for more controllers to comfortably use their utility without having to worry about gaps.

Back B – Building in Back B closed off.

Riot wants to “encourage attackers to push further and hold more space.” Closing off this building should allow players to better anchor themselves in Snowman. It should also better highlight using B Fence to cut off rotations.

B Site – Plant zone on B site adjusted.

This change is to encourage more spike plant diversity while retaining some safer defaults to work with. You can now also plant on the bridge from kitchen to upper container as well.

Icebox changes: Mid

Kitchen – Back wall in Kitchen adjusted.

This change should help moving through this space feel more comfortable and allow players to more easily clear this space.

Mid –  Crates added.

This change is to block line of sight from under tube to danger.

Mid –Boiler ramp geo simplified and slightly narrowed.

Smokes will now fully cover Boiler and players should find head peaks from ramp more predictable.

A Site

A Site – Cover on back A site adjusted.

This change should give Defenders a little extra space to anchor on.

A Pipes – Head peek on attacker side pipes removed.

Where Attackers can peek from on A Site can feel overwhelming. This change should allow Defenders to better isolate where threats can come from.

A Doorway – Doorway into A lowered.

This change is to prevent foot shot on players on top of screens.

These changes on Icebox will affect how players and pros see this map and formulate strategies for it. The newly revamped B site will be fun to watch as professionals figure the best places to make plays and execute plants, as well as the touches on Mid and A site.