Molly / Molotov:

A molly, short for molotov, is an area-denial ability that creates a damaging zone on the ground for a short time. In VALORANT, mollys are used to delay pushes, clear corners, and force opponents out of cover or off planted spikes.

They matter because they can control space without direct line-of-sight, punish grouped enemies, and buy time during retakes or post-plant situations. Different agents have their own molly-style abilities, but the term generally refers to any throwable or placeable damage-over-time zone.