Clove, the mysterious and stealthy agent, is known for her ability to manipulate her surroundings and deceive enemies with calculated plays. With her unique utility, Clove provides an intriguing mix of intelligence-gathering, distraction tactics, and support for aggressive pushes. Mastering Clove requires a balance of map knowledge, timing, and strategic use of her abilities.
How to Play Clove in Valorant
This article will walk you through the fundamentals of Clove’s abilities, how to master her in competitive play, tips and tricks to enhance your game, and how to bring out her maximum potential.
Clove’s Abilities Overview
Clove is all about control and trickery. Her abilities are designed to mislead and outplay enemies by using clever positioning and utility. Here’s a breakdown of her kit:
1. Veil of Shadows (C)
- Description: Clove throws a smoke bomb that expands into a large, opaque mist, blocking the enemy’s vision for a short period. Enemies inside the smoke are temporarily disoriented, hearing distorted sounds and footsteps.
- Best Use: This ability is perfect for controlling choke points, faking pushes, and disrupting enemy sightlines. Use it to delay enemy advances or cover your team’s movement while attacking a site.
2. Spectral Echo (Q)
- Description: Clove deploys a holographic clone of herself that runs forward in a straight line. When shot at, the clone explodes in a flash of light, temporarily blinding nearby enemies.
- Best Use: This ability can be used to fake out enemies, draw their attention, or force them into disadvantageous engagements. The flash effect is great for setting up your team for a push or creating an opportunity for a duel.
3. Illusory Step (E)
- Description: Clove teleports to a targeted location within a short radius after a brief delay. The teleport is silent, and Clove leaves a hologram in her original position that mimics her movement for a few seconds.
- Best Use: Illusory Step is a great tool for repositioning or escaping sticky situations. Use it to flank enemies, dodge incoming fire, or create confusion by leaving your hologram to mislead opponents.
4. Mind Trap (Ultimate – X)
- Description: Clove activates a large field that distorts the enemy’s perception. Anyone caught in the field experiences hallucinations, making it difficult to distinguish real players from clones. The ultimate also reduces sound, making it harder for enemies to hear footsteps or gunfire.
- Best Use: This ultimate is perfect for executing site takes or defending a bomb plant. It creates chaos, forcing enemies to second-guess their decisions and making it easier for your team to capitalize on their confusion.
Mastering Clove: Tips and Tricks
Mastering Clove means learning how to manipulate enemy vision and decision-making with precise use of her abilities. Here are some essential tips to help you dominate with Clove:
1. Maximize the Effectiveness of Veil of Shadows
Veil of Shadows is Clove’s primary tool for controlling space. It’s not just a smoke screen but a powerful way to disorient and mislead opponents.
- Use it for Delays: On defense, deploy Veil of Shadows at choke points to slow down enemy advances. The disorientation effect can force enemies to hesitate, giving your team more time to rotate.
- Fake Pushes: On offense, throw Veil of Shadows toward one bomb site to fake a push while your team prepares to hit another site. The smoke’s visual and audio distortion makes it difficult for enemies to gauge what’s happening inside the cloud.
2. Use Spectral Echo for Mind Games
Spectral Echo’s hologram ability is perfect for creating mind games with the enemy team. Sending the clone ahead can bait out utility or gunfire from distracted enemies, setting them up for failure.
- Bait Out Utility: Use Spectral Echo to draw out the enemy’s smokes, flashes, or grenades. Once they’ve wasted their abilities on your clone, your team will have a better chance of pushing without resistance.
- Flank Deterrent: If you’re expecting a flank, send Spectral Echo toward common flank paths. If the enemy falls for it and shoots the clone, they’ll be blinded, giving your team the upper hand.
3. Master the Art of Repositioning with Illusory Step
Illusory Step is one of Clove’s most versatile abilities. It can be used offensively to outflank opponents or defensively to escape.
- Aggressive Flanking: Use Illusory Step to teleport to aggressive positions that the enemy doesn’t expect. After teleporting, engage from an unpredictable angle, leaving your hologram behind to cause confusion.
- Escaping Danger: If you’re caught in a bad spot, use Illusory Step to quickly reposition behind cover. The silent nature of the teleport makes it difficult for enemies to track your movement.
4. Maximize Mind Trap’s Chaos Potential
Clove’s ultimate, Mind Trap, is a powerful ability that can completely disrupt the enemy’s ability to make clear decisions. When activated, enemies caught in the area experience hallucinations and reduced sound, making it harder for them to react to real threats.
- Site Execute Tool: Use Mind Trap when attacking a bomb site to throw defenders into disarray. While they’re confused by hallucinations and sounds, your team can push in and take control of the site.
- Defensive Plays: If the enemy team is executing a push, pop Mind Trap in a key area to slow them down and force them into mistakes. The reduced sound and confusion will give your team time to rotate or hold the site more effectively.
How to Play Clove: Map-Specific Strategies
Clove’s abilities can be tailored to fit different maps. Knowing how to adjust your strategies based on the map you’re playing on is crucial to mastering her kit.
1. Bind
Bind’s teleporters and tight choke points make it an excellent map for Clove’s Veil of Shadows and Spectral Echo. Use Veil of Shadows to block off long sightlines and force enemies into close-quarters engagements where they’re more likely to be disoriented. Illusory Step is great for teleporting into unexpected spots to surprise enemies holding angles.
2. Haven
With three bomb sites, Haven provides plenty of opportunities for Clove to confuse and disorient defenders. Use Veil of Shadows to block off key sightlines, such as Garage or A Long. Spectral Echo can be used to bait out utility from defenders holding on-site, allowing your team to push more safely.
3. Ascent
Ascent’s open mid-section and tight bomb sites offer a mix of long-range and close-range engagements. Use Clove’s Veil of Shadows to control Mid and deny enemy vision. Illusory Step can be particularly useful on this map for flanking through Mid or rotating between sites unnoticed.
Advanced Clove Tactics
Once you’re comfortable with Clove’s abilities, it’s time to dive into more advanced strategies.
1. Fake Teleport with Illusory Step
When using Illusory Step, try leaving your hologram in a position that suggests you’re holding an angle. The enemy may engage your hologram, thinking it’s the real you, allowing you to capitalize on their mistake by engaging from a new position.
2. Use Mind Trap in High-Traffic Areas
Mind Trap is best used in areas where enemies are forced to fight. Deploy it at common entry points or bomb sites, where enemies are likely to be clustered. The hallucinations and sound distortion make it incredibly difficult for the enemy team to coordinate their push, giving your team a massive advantage.
3. Combine Abilities for Maximum Effect
Clove’s abilities shine when combined. Use Veil of Shadows and Spectral Echo together to create a wall of confusion. Deploy Veil of Shadows in a choke point, then send Spectral Echo through it. If the enemy shoots the clone, they’ll be blinded inside the smoke, allowing your team to push or hold the position with minimal risk.
Clove Voiceline: “You won’t see me coming, but you’ll know when I’ve been here.”
Clove’s playstyle revolves around subtle manipulation and confusion. Her voiceline reflects this deceptive, calculated nature. She thrives in the shadows, leaving her enemies in a state of uncertainty. Mastering Clove means mastering the art of control and deception.
FAQ
1. How do I play Clove in Valorant?
Playing Clove requires a strategic mindset focused on misdirection and controlling the battlefield. Use her abilities to block sightlines, confuse enemies, and set up plays for your team.
2. What are Clove’s abilities?
Clove’s abilities include Veil of Shadows (smoke that disorients enemies), Spectral Echo (a hologram that blinds enemies), Illusory Step (silent teleport with a decoy), and Mind Trap (an ultimate that creates hallucinations and reduces sound for enemies).
3. How do I use Clove’s Illusory Step effectively?
Use Illusory Step to quickly reposition or escape dangerous situations. It’s also great for flanking or creating confusion by leaving a decoy hologram behind.
4. What is Clove’s role in a team composition?
Clove excels in a support role, creating space for her teammates, blocking sightlines, and disorienting enemies to set up successful pushes or holds. She can also play an entry role by using her abilities to confuse defenders and open up bomb sites.
5. How do I counter Clove in Valorant?
To counter Clove, pay attention to her decoys and avoid wasting utility on her clones. Use abilities that reveal or clear smoke to prevent her from using Veil of Shadows effectively.
Final Words
Clove is a master of deception and control, making her an excellent choice for players who enjoy outsmarting their opponents. To truly master Clove, focus on using her abilities strategically to create confusion, mislead enemies, and provide crucial support to your team. With practice, you’ll be able to take full advantage of her unique toolkit and become a stealthy force on the battlefield.