Valorant Pro Tips: Mastering Agent Clove, the Immortal Controller

The battlefield is a canvas, and with the arrival of Agent Clove in Valorant's Update 8.05, players gained a new, aggressive brush to paint their victories. This Scottish Controller, often dubbed the 'Reyna of Controllers,' commands the essence of immortality, allowing them to cheat death, assist from beyond the grave, and disrupt the enemy's plans with a uniquely selfish yet powerful kit. While their tools might seem straightforward, mastering Clove requires shedding the passive playstyle of traditional Controllers like Brimstone and embracing a front-line mentality. For those ready to cause some immortal trouble, here are the key strategies to turn Clove from a novelty into a nightmare for the opposition.

Clove's entire design philosophy is a paradox for the Controller role—a walking contradiction as jarring as a librarian leading a mosh pit. Unlike Omen, who smokes from the shadows, or Brimstone, who plans from the back, Clove's abilities demand action. Their signature trait is self-sustain through aggression. The core of this playstyle revolves around Pick-Me-Up (Basic 1), an ability that transforms a successful trade into a temporary advantage. Think of it as a Controller's version of a sugar rush—it's a burst of temporary health and speed that lets you take a risky peek, win a duel, and scamper back to safety before the enemy team can collapse on you. The key is to use this not just for healing, but primarily for the haste effect to reposition aggressively after a pick.

Ruse (Signature), Clove's smoke, further enables this forward push. It's not a set-and-forget tool for passive site holds. With a 30-second cooldown per charge and the ability to deploy it even after death, Ruse encourages dynamic, mid-round smoking. You can cut off an angle for your team's entry, then have another smoke ready for post-plant or a retake. Its spherical form also allows for creative one-way smokes, similar to Omen, turning a standard cover tool into an offensive information-gathering device. Deploying smokes early in the round to start the cooldown timer is crucial, ensuring you have utility available for critical moments, even if you're the first to fall.

The crown jewel of Clove's kit is Not Dead Yet (Ultimate), an ability that redefines risk assessment. When killed, you have a brief window to activate it, entering a 2-second invincible, Dismiss-like state to reposition. You then have 12 seconds to secure a kill or assist to resurrect fully. This isn't just a second life; it's a psychological landmine you plant upon death. Enemies will be paranoid, checking every corner for your ghostly return. Smart players can use this to their advantage by canceling the ultimate early, faking a reposition, and letting their very-much-alive teammates clean up distracted foes. On defense, it can single-handedly stall a site take. On attack, a post-plant Clove ult can run down the defuse timer, forcing enemies to hunt you instead of focusing on the spike.

Now, let's break down how to synergize Clove's entire toolkit for maximum impact:

Meddle: The Expensive Game-Changer

At 250 credits, Meddle (Basic 2) is the most costly basic ability in the game, and for good reason. It applies a devastating 90 HP Decay to enemies caught in its blast. This isn't just damage; it's a debuff that makes enemies as fragile as tissue paper in a rainstorm. Its best uses are:

• Pistol & Eco Rounds: A well-placed Meddle can decay enemies to 10 HP, making them one-shot to almost any weapon.

• Combo with Molly: Pair Meddle with a teammate's molly (like Brimstone's or KAY/O's) to maximize effective damage and zone control.

• Flushing Out Rats: Throw it into common camping spots (Ascent A Main cubby, Bind Hookah) to force enemies into the open.

⚔️ Weapon Synergy: Guardian & Outlaw

Clove's playstyle pairs beautifully with certain weapons that reward precision and aggression.

🔄 Evolving Your Smoke Strategy

Your smoking strategy with Clove should never be static. Start by smoking off the main choke point for your team's execute. As the enemy adapts, you must too. Use your second smoke to cut off their common adjustment positions. Communicate with your duelists and initiators—ask where they want to enter, and use your Ruse to cover that angle. Remember, you can also use Meddle on the inside of your own smokes. This creates a deadly zone that punishes enemies who try to push through or hide within your visual cover.

☠️ The Post-Death Playbook

Dying as Clove is often just the beginning. Your Ruse charges continue to tick down, and you can still place smokes around your corpse as long as a teammate is alive. This makes you a persistent threat. On post-plant defense, smoke the spike from the grave. On retake, smoke the common plant spot or an enemy flank route. Your lingering presence can secure rounds your team had no business winning.

Mental Warfare and Final Tips

Playing Clove is as much about psychology as it is about mechanics. Your ultimate creates hesitation. Your post-death smokes create uncertainty. Your aggressive peaks with Pick-Me-Up create pressure. Embrace the chaos. Don't be afraid to take first contact; your kit is built to survive it or come back from it. However, balance is key. You're not a true duelist. Your value lies in creating space and opportunities for your team through controlled aggression and undying utility.

In 2025's meta, Clove remains a unique and potent pick for players who want the strategic impact of a Controller with the thrilling playmaking potential of a duelist. Master these tips, and you'll have opponents seeing ghosts long after they've sent you to the grave. 😉