As a dedicated Sova main, I've learned that in the high-tech world of Valorant, sometimes the most elegant solution is also the oldest: a well-placed arrow. While other Agents rely on futuristic gadgets or mystical powers, I prove time and again that a bow and a sharp mind are all you need to turn the tide of battle. My Recon Bolt isn't just a piece of utility; it's the closest thing to legal wallhacks, granting my team the priceless gift of information. In the right hands, it's the ultimate initiator tool, but its potential is a double-edged sword. With thousands of possible lineups, how does one avoid getting lost in the complexity and focus on what truly wins rounds? The key, I've found, lies in mastering a core set of reliable, game-changing darts that don't require a PhD in geometry to execute mid-round. Let me share the essential lineups that form the backbone of my playbook in 2026.

🎯 Attacking Lineups: Piercing the Defense

When leading the assault, my primary goal is to strip the defenders of their greatest asset: hidden angles. A blind push is a recipe for disaster, so I use my arrows to light the path.

C Site Assault (Primary)

Pushing onto C Site can feel like walking into a firing squad. The long, narrow corridor of C Long funnels us into a kill zone, vulnerable to Operators and crossfires. My first dart solves this. Soon after the round starts, I stand in the corner near the Attacker Spawn wall. I place my crosshair at the left edge of a specific rock formation, charge for one bar, and fire.

This arrow arcs perfectly to reveal every common defender position on the site—Heaven, Default, the boxes—giving my team the green light to execute. Predictability is the enemy, though. Relying on the same lineup every round is a sure way to have my dart shot out of the air.

C Site Assault (Alternative)

For variety, I have a secondary option. I move to the opposite corner of the Attacker Spawn wall. Here, I aim my crosshair into a small, specific gap in the architecture, charge the shot for two bars, and let it fly.

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This dart lands deeper, revealing most of the site and the back corners, ensuring no defender can hide from our advance. Having these two options keeps the enemy guessing.

A Site Assault (Primary)

A Site presents a different challenge with its high walls and multiple entry points. After my team clears A Short or Long with other utility, I save my dart for the site itself. I position myself in the left corner of the wall bordering A Long's entrance. My target is the very tip of a distant roof. A one-bar charge sends the arrow soaring.

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It uses the verticality to its advantage, scanning over the tall walls and revealing defenders tucked away in sneaky spots, clearing the path for the plant.

A Site Assault (Alternative & Advanced)

For a more flexible approach on A, I use a lineup from the small pocket near A Long. I first jump onto a pile of bricks to gain height. Aiming at the deep edge of the roof, I charge to three bars. Here's where skill expression comes in:

• Shallow Scan: I fire the arrow as is. It reveals the front of the site and Short pocket.

• Deep Scan: I jump right before firing. This adds extra momentum, landing the arrow farther into the site for maximum intel.

This control over depth is what separates a good Sova from a great one.

B Site Assault

B Site is tricky. Its geometry offers many hiding spots. My strategy is a powerful one-two punch. First, I secure the Attacker-side Window in Mid. I drop down behind the wooden crate and aim slightly above a specific metal crate. With a max charge and one added bounce, I fire.

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The arrow lands high, scanning the entire front half of B Site, eliminating any chance of a shotgun ambush. I immediately follow this with my Owl Drone to sweep the back areas, guaranteeing full site knowledge for my team.

🛡️ Defensive & Retake Lineups: The Art of the Comeback

On defense, my role shifts. I'm no longer just an initiator; I'm an information gatekeeper and a key player in retakes.

C Site Defense (Aggressive)

If I'm feeling aggressive or need early info, I use a dart to clear C Long immediately. The beauty of defending C is that my ultimate, Hunter's Fury, covers the entire length of that corridor. I stand on the box at the default Spike plant spot. Aiming at a white tile on a distant wall, I use a max charge with one bounce.

If that dart reveals a crowd rushing Long, I don't hesitate—I unleash my ultimate down the corridor before they can even reach the site, turning their push into a costly mistake.

C Site Retake

Sometimes, holding a site against a full execute is suicide. The wiser play is to give up the site, save my utility, and retake with my team. For retaking C, I have a precise lineup. I stand in the corner of the right wall near the C Link to B. Precision is key here: I align the upper-right tip of the Recon Bolt's charge bar with the second tip of a specific roof.

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A one-bar charge sends it to a perfect perch, revealing the entire site and every attacker holding it, making our retake coordinated and deadly.

A Site Retake

I find early defensive darts on A less effective. Attackers can easily destroy them from the safety of A Lobby. Therefore, I save my utility for the retake. My retake dart for A is a thing of beauty, mirroring an attacker's lineup but from a defensive angle. I position myself in the left corner near B Site's entrance. I aim just above the edge of a roof that overhangs the A Site, charge to maximum, and fire.

As the arrow scans across the site, it creates chaos among the attackers, exposing all their positions and giving my team the perfect blueprint for the retake.

🧠 The Sova Mindset: Beyond the Lineups

Mastering these lineups is just the beginning. The true art of playing Sova lies in the decision-making.

• Adaptation: Never be predictable. Rotate between your primary and alternative lineups. Sometimes, a simple, unexpected dart is more valuable than a complex one.

• Utility Synergy: My Recon Bolt is part of a kit. Use it with the Owl Drone for full clears, or follow a successful dart with a Shock Bolt to finish a tagged enemy.

• Information is Everything: A dart that reveals nothing is still information—it tells your team an area is clear. Communicate every ping.

In 2026, the meta evolves, but the fundamental value of information never changes. As Sova, I am the eyes of my team. These darts are my vocabulary, and with them, I can narrate the enemy's movements before they even make them. So, fellow archers, practice these essentials, understand the mindset, and remember: in a world of radianite and robots, a simple arrow and a sharp mind can still reign supreme. 🏹