Clove

Overview

Clove is a Controller agent in VALORANT, released in March 2024, designed to facilitate aggressive map control and provide utility even after being eliminated. Their kit enables players to push into contested areas, secure entry points, and sustain themselves through engagements. Clove's primary role is to block line of sight with their Ruse ability, similar to other Controllers, but with a unique twist: these smokes can be deployed post-death, maintaining pressure and enabling team plays even when Clove is no longer alive VALORANT's official Clove agent page. This post-death utility distinguishes Clove from other Controllers like Omen or Brimstone, who must be alive to deploy their smokes.

The agent's Meddle ability is a decay projectile that temporarily reduces enemy health, making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. This ability can be used to clear angles, flush out opponents, or weaken enemies before an engagement. It complements an aggressive playstyle by creating opportunities for Clove or their teammates to secure eliminations. For instance, a well-placed Meddle can force an enemy out of cover, allowing an entry fragger to peek and secure a kill TheSpike.gg's Clove strategy guide.

Clove's signature ability, Pick-Me-Up, provides temporary health and haste upon securing an assist or kill. This self-sustain mechanism is central to Clove's aggressive potential, allowing them to take duels, heal up, and re-engage without immediately needing external healing or disengaging. This ability rewards proactive play and can turn multi-kill situations in Clove's favor. The combination of self-healing and movement speed boost enables Clove to reposition quickly or push an advantage after winning a duel Liquipedia's Clove agent overview.

The ultimate ability, Not Dead Yet, allows Clove to self-revive after being killed, provided they secure a kill or assist within a short timeframe after reviving. This ultimate ability further reinforces Clove's aggressive and impactful post-death presence. It can be used to clutch rounds, secure crucial eliminations, or provide an unexpected re-entry into a fight, catching opponents off guard. The strategic timing of Not Dead Yet is crucial, as failing to secure a kill or assist results in Clove's permanent elimination for the round.

Clove is best suited for players who prefer an active Controller role, initiating engagements and supporting pushes rather than playing passively from the backline. Their kit thrives in coordinated team environments where their utility can be leveraged to create entry opportunities and maintain map control through aggressive plays. The ability to smoke post-death provides unique strategic depth, allowing teams to continue executing plans even if Clove is eliminated early in a round. This makes Clove a viable pick on maps that favor fast-paced executes and require constant line-of-sight manipulation Dexerto's Clove ability breakdown.

Key features

• Ruse (E): Clove can deploy two line-of-sight blocking smokes on the map. Uniquely, these smokes can be deployed even after Clove has been eliminated, providing continued utility and map control.
• Meddle (Q): Clove throws a fragment that, after a short delay, decays all enemies caught within its radius, temporarily reducing their health. This ability is effective for clearing corners or weakening enemies before engagements.
• Pick-Me-Up (C): Upon securing a kill or assist, Clove instantly absorbs the life force of their target, gaining temporary health and a burst of movement speed. This promotes aggressive plays and self-sustain.
• Not Dead Yet (X - Ultimate): After being eliminated, Clove can activate their ultimate to self-revive. To remain alive, Clove must secure a kill or assist within a short time window after reviving.
• Aggressive Controller Play: Clove's kit is designed to support and reward proactive, entry-focused gameplay, allowing them to initiate fights and sustain themselves.
• Post-Death Utility: The ability to deploy Ruse smokes and potentially self-revive after being eliminated provides unique strategic options and maintains Clove's impact throughout a round.

Pricing

VALORANT agents, including Clove, are available through in-game progression or direct purchase. Players can unlock agents by accumulating Kingdom Credits through gameplay, completing agent contracts, or by purchasing them with VALORANT Points (VP).

For current pricing details on VALORANT Points, refer to the official VALORANT in-game store VALORANT's official maps page (for general game information).

Common integrations

As an in-game agent within VALORANT, Clove's 'integrations' refer to how their abilities interact with other agents' kits and map elements. There are no external software integrations for game agents.

• Entry Fraggers (e.g., Jett, Raze): Clove's Ruse smokes can be used to block critical angles for entry fraggers, allowing them to push onto a site more safely. Meddle can also soften enemies for easier kills.
• Initiators (e.g., Sova, Fade): Clove can coordinate Ruse smokes with Initiator utility to blind or reveal enemies, creating opportunities for pushes or retakes. For example, a Sova Recon Bolt followed by Clove smokes can isolate targets.
• Sentinels (e.g., Cypher, Killjoy): Clove's aggressive playstyle can draw attention, allowing Sentinels to set up defensive utility effectively. Post-death smokes can also cover Sentinel setups during retakes.
• Map Geometry: Clove's Ruse ability interacts directly with map geometry to block lines of sight, influencing pathing and engagement zones. Understanding map layouts is critical for effective smoke placement.
• Economy System: The cost of Clove's abilities (Meddle, Pick-Me-Up, and ultimate) integrates into VALORANT's round-based economy, requiring players to manage credits for utility purchases.

Alternatives

Other Controller agents in VALORANT offer different approaches to map control and utility usage:

• Omen: A Controller known for his global smokes (Dark Cover) and teleportation abilities (Shrouded Step, From the Shadows), offering high mobility and flanking potential Omen's Fandom Wiki page.
• Brimstone: A more static Controller with long-duration smokes (Sky Smoke) deployed via a tactical map, and an incendiary grenade (Incendiary) for area denial.
• Viper: Specializes in toxic utility, including a large smoke screen (Toxic Screen) and a poison orb (Poison Cloud), excelling at cutting off large areas and denying entry.
• Astra: Utilizes a celestial form to place stars that can be activated into smokes, pulls, or concussive blasts, providing global utility and strategic flexibility.

Getting started

To begin playing Clove in VALORANT, players must first unlock the agent. This can be done through in-game progression by earning Kingdom Credits or by purchasing Clove directly with VALORANT Points. Once unlocked, Clove can be selected from the agent selection screen at the start of a match. Practicing Clove's abilities in the Range or unrated matches is recommended to understand their mechanics and optimal deployment.

A basic strategy for Clove involves using Ruse to block common angles for entry or defense, Meddle to clear corners or weaken enemies, and Pick-Me-Up to sustain through aggressive plays. The ultimate, Not Dead Yet, should be conserved for crucial moments where a revive can turn the tide of a round. Coordination with teammates is key to maximizing Clove's impact.

// Example of a basic Clove ability sequence in a hypothetical scenario
// This is not executable code, but a conceptual representation.

// Scenario: Pushing onto A-site on Ascent

// 1. Pre-round: Discuss with entry fragger (e.g., Jett) where to smoke.

// 2. Execute push:
// Clove uses Ruse (E) to smoke off 'Heaven' and 'Tree' on A-site.
// bind E "use_ability_slot_1" // Conceptual keybind
// call Ruse(map_location_heaven, map_location_tree)

// Jett dashes onto site, Clove follows.

// 3. Mid-fight:
// Clove spots an enemy behind 'Generator'.
// Clove uses Meddle (Q) to decay the enemy.
// bind Q "use_ability_slot_2" // Conceptual keybind
// call Meddle(enemy_location_generator)

// Clove or teammate secures the kill.

// 4. Post-kill:
// Clove gets an assist/kill, Pick-Me-Up (C) activates, granting temporary health and haste.
// bind C "use_ability_slot_3" // Conceptual keybind
// (Pick-Me-Up is passive after kill/assist)

// 5. If Clove dies during the push:
// Clove uses Not Dead Yet (X) to self-revive, targeting a nearby enemy for a kill/assist.
// bind X "use_ultimate_ability" // Conceptual keybind
// call NotDeadYet()
// (Must secure a kill/assist quickly to stay alive)

Experimenting with different smoke placements and Meddle timings will enhance a player's proficiency with Clove. Understanding the flow of rounds and anticipating enemy movements are crucial for effective utility usage.