Riot Games has officially announced that Pearl and Split will rejoin VALORANT’s active map pool on October 14, 2025, as part of the V25 Act 6 update. This rotation will see Ascent and Lotus exit the active pool. The decision was confirmed via the game’s official channels, ensuring players and teams have ample notice to prepare for the new competitive landscape.
What’s Changing
Here’s what the VALORANT map pool will look like starting October 14, 2025:
- Abyss
- Bind
- Corrode
- Haven
- Sunset
- Pearl
- Split
What This Really Means
Pearl and Split are making a big comeback after being temporarily benched, returning some veteran favorites to the mix. Meanwhile, the departure of Ascent and Lotus—both staples in recent months—means teams and ranked warriors will need to adapt quickly.
Riot also mentioned that the Game Changers Championship will be the first major event played on this updated map pool, so expect high-level matches to showcase new strategies and playstyles right out of the gate.
This rotation follows the August 19 update, which saw Abyss reintroduced and Icebox removed. For anyone following VCT Champions 2025, that event is using the current (pre-October) map pool.
Why Map Rotations Matter
VALORANT’s map rotation system keeps the meta fresh, ensures no single map dominates the pro or ranked scene for too long, and gives players a reason to revisit older maps with new eyes. For pros, it means resetting team strategies; for casuals, it brings back maps that might have been gathering dust in their map vetoes.
Pearl and Split’s return signals Riot’s willingness to cycle maps in and out, keeping both flexibility and nostalgia in the mix. Ascent and Lotus fans shouldn’t panic—they’ll almost certainly return down the line, as the map pool refresh is an ongoing process.
Quick Takeaways
- Pearl and Split are back—Abyss, Bind, Corrode, Haven, Sunset, Pearl, Split will be the new active map pool starting October 14, 2025.
- Ascent and Lotus rotate out and will not be available in ranked or VCT until future rotations.
- Game Changers Championship will debut the new map pool at the pro level.
- Expect the unexpected—competitive and ranked play will see new metas emerge as players re-familiarize themselves with Pearl and Split.
VALORANT’s map rotation is never just a cosmetic change—it resets strategies, shakes up tier lists, and breathes new life into the game. October’s update is a perfect excuse to brush up on those Pearl and Split callouts.