VALORANT Astra Smokes on Haven - Best Smokes and Strategies
This will be the only guide you need on the best smokes for Astra on the map Haven.
Astra is a versatile agent with a unique set of abilities that make her a valuable addition to any team. Haven is one of the most complex maps in the game, with multiple levels and angles to control.
In this article, we will explore Astra's abilities and highlight the best smokes for each key location on Haven. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the knowledge to effectively control Haven and dominate your opponents with Astra. Get ready to take your gameplay to the next level!
Setups - Attack
The attacking side is rather needy when it comes to you as an Astra player or controller in general. With 3 sites on the field, many angles to look out for and cover and so much more to take into account before you initiate a good execute. Here are the best Astra smokes & setups for attacking on Haven:
Smoking A heaven and CT is a must before even trying to enter the site. There are many angles on A and you would need to be sure that this is the site you’re executing so you can smoke and isolate the fights on site.
Pro tip: With Astra, always use your stun on the attacking side. Why you use it instead of your pull or instead of both of them is because your gravity well holds an important place in any post plant scenario. With astra you’re allowed to use your abilities from anywhere on the map, giving you a huge advantage in that aspect too.
For an alternative way to push A there is not much but changing where you use your stun depends on how you read the enemies. If your enemies usually hide in close corners then this is a good stun to perform, if not stick to the backsite or under heaven more common ones.
Executing B is one of the hardest sites to execute but that is all made a lot easier with a good astra setup. Due to how small the space is your stun plays a perfect role placed on a close corner or backsite, with 2 smokes on both links you’re set to at least get the plant done.
But if you’re not willing to settle with the pressure of having less map control; simply take more space towards A link like so. A general rule when you’re executing B is that you always should aim to take A link and not C link.
Attacking C is rather simple, smoke both Garage and CT then stun backsite or platform to prevent enemies from peeking.
If you are planning a split attack where you have some of your teammates on garage, there’s no point smoking that from site anymore. There, you should use your smoke on garage window so they can cross easily and possible stun platform if you know enemies will be in that position.
Setups - Defense
Astra can very much be filling a Sentinel’s role on defense by locking down a site. By no means is she as good as killjoy or cypher for example, but with her pull she is given a unique ability that can effectively stop the enemy’s momentum when entering through her smokes. Here are the best defensive setups for Astra on Haven:
Normally, you shouldn’t cast all of your utility at once. But these setups are for when you are sure enemies are going to execute the site whether it be by a hunch or information you have gathered through the round.
Place your smokes on short and long and combine those with pull on long and a stun on short.
Another way to play around A is to smoke deeply into lobby and take complete control of it. This often requires a teammate for it to be a reasonable play (not too risky) then place 2 stars one instantly for smoke and one for a gravity well in case enemies decided to pressure you.
To defend B, place a smoke just like so and a pull right in front of it. Don’t hesitate to trigger the pull on the slightest as B is smalls and 2 steps in enemies can rush you.
To take over Mid you can simply smoke Window and pull around where the barrier drops, potentially spam it if you think you can find value and stun grass for your teammates to push. This isn’t a 1 man push so make sure you play with your team doing this setup!
The classic deep smoke on C long that gives you more control over the C site.
In case enemies play too quick or easily take control of C long even if you smoke it this is a perfect smoke and pull setup. However this is for C, as you can look out for Garage by possible smoking it it too or assigning a player over there.
A More proper example of how to deal with split attacks if you’re on C.
Setups - Ultimates
Unique to Astra and not any other controller is her ultimate that is a gigantic wall crossing the entire map blocking both sounds and bullets. And since it’s an ability that needs to be used properly, here’s how you can implement it in-game:
A perfect example of how you should Ult A if you’re executing it with astra. You can still use your stuns as normal and save your smokes for late round re-smoking. Make sure you don’t create any spots against you when you use the ultimate such as the drop boxes on heave, you want to have those visible to you.
For ulting B it’s all about prioritizing a post plant scenario. So ult it where you can get into site, with very little control plant the spike and get back in the position.
For C, just ult as shown and stun back site. Optionally you can smoke in front of CT to avoid having anyone even so slightly peek out of your wall.
