The second act of Episode 8 is in full swing, and the Valorant community is abuzz with anticipation for the newest agent to join the roster, Clove, following their official reveal at Masters Madrid! Clove is set to be an aggressive Controller with the ability to self-revive.
The last Controller, Harbor, joined the fray way back in Episode 5 in 2022. Now, the community eagerly awaits details about Clove, the upcoming butterfly-themed smoker, and how they'll spice up the meta. Without further ado, here's a breakdown of everything we know about Clove.
Clove release date
It has been confirmed by Riot that Clove will be released during Episode 8 Act 2, on 26 March 2024, breaking the usual pattern of agents releasing alongside new Episodes or Acts. Clove was officially revealed during a stream at the Masters Madrid Grand Finals on 24 March 2024.
As the first Agent of the year and the 6th Controller in the game, Agent 25 will expand Valorant's roster to 25 Agents, following the arrivals of Gekko (Initiator), Deadlock (Sentinel), and Iso (Duelist) in 2023.
Clove role and abilities
Valorant hasn't welcomed a new Controller Agent since Harbor arrived in late 2022. Enter Clove, who bridges this year-long gap and offers players another avenue for the strategic control of sightlines and engagement zones.
What sets Clove apart from other Controllers is their capability to make aggressive plays. Dubbed a Controller that “plays like a Duelist,” Clove's kit revolves around taking the fight to their opponents:
- Ruse (E): EQUIP to view the battlefield. FIRE to set the locations where Clove’s clouds will settle. ALT FIRE to confirm, launching clouds that block vision in the chosen areas
- Clove can use this ability after death
- Meddle (Q): EQUIP a fragment of immortality essence. FIRE to throw the fragment, which erupts after a short delay and temporarily decays all targets caught inside
- Pick-me-up (C): INSTANTLY absorb the life force of a fallen enemy that Clove damaged or killed, gaining haste and temporary health
- Not Dead Yet (X / ULT): After dying, ACTIVATE to resurrect. Once resurrected, Clove must earn a kill or damaging assist within a set time or they will die
According to Agent Gameplay Designer Dan Hardison, optimal Clove gameplay is centred around taking risks and “playing with fire”. To neutralise enemy utility and remove them from the round, trading your life can be advantageous. Unlike other Controllers, Clove's raw execution power might be lower, but their post-death contributions encourage a more aggressive playstyle.
In some situations, running into danger and trading kills is the ideal play to make, as long as your death is traded by an ally. To truly master Clove, you must not “cower from your opponents”, but instead, be prepared to sacrifice yourself for the “greater good”.
With the growing popularity of double-Controller team compositions, we can anticipate that Clove's addition will open the doors to more strategic depth and creative plays.
Where is Clove from?
Clove is from Scotland! Riot's dedication to cultural authenticity shines through in its agents. According to Senior Narrative Writer Ryan Clements and Narrative Writer Antoinette Chable, the Narrative team conducted preliminary research into Scotland and its culture to find a touchpoint that aligned with their overall creative goals for the character and kit. This process involved exploring music, art, and literature.
The team even went a step further, casting and recording in-person in Edinburgh. This firsthand experience with the city and its culture further enriched Clove's development.
Clove character design
Riot Games officially revealed Clove's full-body character design during Masters Madrid 2024.
The image above offers a first look at Clove. Their outfit is a lively mix of textures and colours, featuring a cropped pink jacket, a backpack, and eye-catching yellow boots. A black tattoo choker and a butterfly earring on their left ear add a touch of personality.
This departure from Valorant's typical dark and gritty style, with its lighter purples and pinks, has resonated with players who craved a more "girly" representation in the game. Clove appears to be the embodiment of what the community has been hoping for!
That was everything we know so far about the upcoming agent in Valorant. We will update this article with more information as it becomes available, so stay tuned!
If you’re interested in learning more about Valorant, feel free to check out what Episode 8 Act 2 has to offer in our comprehensive guide, detailing its release date, updates to Premier, and more!
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