Let's begin by acknowledging the temporary departure of Split from Valorant’s Competitive and Unrated queues in Episode 5 Act I, as per Riot's recent announcement. While we'll miss Split, it's essential to explore the newcomer, Pearl, a promising map that shares commonalities with Split, Ascent, and Haven, where Mid Control is the linchpin for both attackers and defenders.

Pearl stands out thanks to (1) its unique holes in the walls and (2) its innovative mid-design that sets it apart from most maps. Instead of a singular open area, Pearl consists of numerous smaller corridors connecting the spawns and sites. Smokes and damage utility take center stage in the battle for mid-control on Pearl.

The Layout

Due to Pearl's intricate layout with tight hallways, it closely resembles Split and shares many agent metas with it. High mobility agents like Raze and Jett thrive here, thanks to Pearl's distinctive feature: holes and windows in the walls that enable creative plays.

Sites

A Site: A-Site on Pearl predominantly favors defenders when played strategically. They have multiple paths for retaking the site, making it challenging for attackers to maintain control. Defenders should prioritize early picks, maintaining a passive stance until they regroup for retakes. Attackers face a disadvantage in retake scenarios, so planting for A Long and controlling it is their best approach, focusing on post-plant lineups and preventing the plant.

B-Site: B-Main offers a long, open area that demands long-range weapons, particularly the Operator, for defenders to hold the site effectively and secure early picks. B-Ramp provides opportunities for attackers to counterplay, both in attack and defense post-plant. In post-plant situations, attackers can choose between keeping most of their team on-site to control entry points or planting for B-Main/B-Ramp, relinquishing site control and denying the plant from a distance. Professional play may unveil which strategy prevails.

Ultimate Orbs

Pearl features two Ultimate orbs, with locations favoring attackers more than defenders. Unlike the previous map, Fracture, Pearl's layout offers unique opportunities for both sides to contest these orbs.

Recommended Team Comp

While flexibility in agent choice is essential, here's a suggested Pearl team composition to get you started:

1. Omen: Omen can provide smoke cover from a distance, perfect for Pearl's tight corridors. His Paranoia is excellent for this map.
2. Jett: Jett excels at exploiting the holes in the walls and is a top choice for open areas, which are Operator territories.
3. Sage: Tracking footsteps with Sage's kit is advantageous, given the map's numerous links and corridors. Her Ultimate can be effective in hitting multiple targets on both sites.
4. Raze: Raze's explosive kit is invaluable for map control, especially on Mid. Utilizing the holes in the wall for crafty Ultimates is a strategic advantage.
5. KAY/O: KAY/O brings utility and close-quarters combat capabilities with his knife and Ultimate. His C ability is versatile across the map, thanks to Pearl's outdoor layout and open skybox.

Honorable Mentions: Chamber, Astra, Breach, Skye, and other agents also have their unique merits on Pearl.

Thanks for reading our updated Pearl Map Guide! For more VALORANT insights, including tips on "Prices," "Gboosting," and navigating the various "Maps," explore our other VALORANT map guides. Dive into the action, master Pearl, and stay ahead of the game!"