In casual queues Valorant just throws you onto a map, but competitive matches never work that way. Before a serious game, the two teams go through a map veto — a pick & ban process that decides which maps get played. It is one of the most important strategic moments of a match, and once you understand it you will watch pro play completely differently. Here is how it works, and how to run one yourself.
What is the map veto?
The map veto is the drafting phase for maps. Instead of a random map, the two teams take turns banning maps they do not want and picking the ones they do, until the match maps are locked in. It happens before the game even starts, in a lobby or on a dedicated tool.
It exists because maps in Valorant are not balanced for every team. A roster built around Breeze plays very differently from one that lives on Split, so letting teams shape the map list is a core part of competitive integrity.
The map pool (and why it changes)
At any given time, only part of Valorant’s maps are in the active competitive pool — usually around seven. Riot rotates maps in and out every so often to keep the game fresh and stop teams from over-mastering a fixed set.
Because the pool rotates, always check which maps are currently active before you plan a veto. A map that was banned every game last split might not even be in the pool now.
How the veto sequence works
The exact order depends on the format and the organizer, but the common patterns are:
- Best of 1 — the two teams alternate bans until a single map is left. That last map is played, and a knife round or a set rule decides sides.
- Best of 3 — each team bans one map, then each team picks one map to play, then two more bans leave a decider map. The team that did not pick a given map usually chooses which side to start on.
- Best of 5 — a longer version of the same idea, with more picks so most of the pool gets played.
The veto is strategy, not a formality
A good veto wins games before anyone shoots. Teams ban the maps they are weakest on and the ones the enemy is known to dominate, then steer the match toward their comfort picks. Scouting the opponent’s map stats is half the battle.
Side selection matters too: some maps heavily favour attack or defence, so choosing the right starting side off a map pick can be worth several rounds.
How to run your own map veto
You do not need a tournament to use a proper veto — it is great for scrims, in-house matches, or just settling on a map fairly with a five-stack. You can do it manually, but a dedicated tool keeps it clean and fast.
We use Proban for it — a free draft tool (no account, no install) with a Valorant map draft, alternating bans across the pool, timers, and a shareable link so both captains veto in real time. It even has a stream-ready overlay if you are casting your own in-house event.
Quick reference
The veto in a nutshell:
- Competitive matches ban and pick maps instead of playing a random one.
- Only the active pool (about seven maps) is in play — it rotates, so check it.
- Ban your weak maps and the enemy’s best; pick your comfort maps.
- Bo1 alternates bans to one map; Bo3 mixes bans and picks with a decider.
- Run your own with a tool like Proban for scrims and in-house games.