What Is Flanking in Valorant?

by  Ievgen Dubravin

Attention, Valorant tacticians and stealth enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a maneuver that can turn the tide of battle in an instant: flanking. If you’ve ever dreamed of being the hero who sneaks behind enemy lines to secure that clutch round win, you’re in the right place. Let’s unpack this crucial tactic and see how it can elevate your gameplay!

What Does Flanking Mean In Valorant?

Flanking in Valorant is a tactical maneuver where a player or team attacks the enemy from the side or rear, rather than engaging them head-on. It’s like being the sneaky character in a heist movie who takes the back entrance while everyone else is focused on the front door.

Key aspects of flanking:

• Approaching enemies from unexpected angles
• Bypassing main defensive positions
• Potentially catching opponents off-guard
• Creating confusion and dividing enemy attention

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Is Flanking Good Or Bad?

Like many tactics in Valorant, flanking has its pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Surprise Factor: Can catch enemies unprepared
2. Positional Advantage: Often provides better angles for engagement
3. Information Gathering: Allows insight into enemy positions
4. Psychological Impact: Can create panic and disrupt enemy coordination
5. Round-Winning Potential: Well-executed flanks can secure crucial rounds

Cons:

1. Risk of Isolation: Flankers can be cut off from team support
2. Predictability: Frequent flanking can become anticipated
3. Resource Drain: Requires time and often utility to execute safely
4. Team Imbalance: Leaves the rest of the team potentially undermanned
5. Counterflank Vulnerability: Exposes flankers to enemy flanking attempts

The effectiveness of flanking often depends on timing, map awareness, and team coordination.

How To Use The Term “Flank” Correctly?

Using “flank” correctly in comms can significantly improve your team’s coordination:

1. Calling a Flank: “I’m flanking through mid.” “Omen flanking from CT, watch out!”
2. Requesting Flank Watch: “Can someone watch our flank?” “Cypher, can you trap the flank?”
3. Reporting Enemy Flanks: “They’re flanking from B main!” “Jett might be on a flank, check your six.”
4. Coordinating Team Flanks: “Let’s do a split flank, two mid and one sewers.” “I’ll flank when you guys push site.”
5. Post-Round Analysis: “That flank won us the round, nice job!” “We need to watch our flanks better next time.”

NOTE:

Remember, clear and concise communication about flanks can make the difference between a successful play and a costly mistake.

Other Related Terms

When discussing flanking in Valorant, you might encounter these related terms:

1. Lurking: Staying behind enemy lines to gather information or set up delayed flanks.
2. Rotation: The movement of players between different areas of the map, often in response to or anticipation of flanks.
3. Crossfire: A setup where teammates cover different angles, often used to counter flanks.
4. Split Push: A strategy involving simultaneous attacks from multiple directions, which can include flanking.
5. Map Control: Dominating key areas of the map to limit enemy movement and facilitate flanks.
6. Timing: The crucial aspect of executing a flank at the most opportune moment for maximum impact.

There you have it, flanking fanatics and tactical masterminds! You’re now well-versed in the art of the flank in Valorant. Remember, a well-executed flank can be the difference between defeat and a highlight-reel victory. But like any powerful tool, it should be used wisely and not overused. So the next time you’re in a match, consider your flanking opportunities, communicate clearly with your team, and maybe you’ll be the one to pull off that game-changing play. Now get out there, watch those angles, and may your flanks be as sneaky as Yoru’s footsteps!