The Top VALORANT Teams of 2023
In 2023, VALORANT has seen significant changes with the introduction of a franchised league and several new teams competing at the highest level of esports. The off-season leading up to the start of the regular season has provided exciting storylines and the emergence of super-teams. Let’s take a look at the top five VALORANT teams of 2023, starting with the LOCK//IN tournament and extending into the regular season.
As major tournaments come to a close, this list will be updated accordingly. However, at the time of writing this article in April 2023, these teams are considered the top five in the VALORANT scene. The league has already concluded its opening LAN tournament, and teams from around the world are actively competing to qualify for Masters Tokyo.
Here is a rundown of the best five starting rosters for VCT 2023:
5. Cloud9
Cloud9 has surprised everyone by rising to the top of the Americas League, despite roster changes between the LOCK//IN tournament and the regular season. While they fell just short to another team on this list, DRX, in a close 2-1 match, Cloud9 showcased moments of brilliance during the LOCK//IN tournament. Despite losing star player Jaccob “yay” Whiteaker and former captain Anthony “vanity” Malaspina, Cloud9 bounced back with new pickups, Jake “jakee” Anderson and Dylan “runi” Cade, who have seamlessly integrated into the team’s success. With an impressive record, they are currently the leading North American organization, with their only loss coming against the LOCK//IN finalists, LOUD.
Despite the unexpected changes, Cloud9 continues to perform well and solidify their position as one of the favorites in the region.
4. NAVI
The former FunPlus Phoenix team, now representing Ukrainian organization NAVI, has managed to maintain their dominance in the VALORANT scene. With four-fifths of their original roster from FPX and the addition of Mehmet “cNed” İpek as a key free agent pickup, NAVI showcased their strength during the LOCK//IN tournament. Though they suffered a defeat against the eventual champions, Fnatic, NAVI displayed exceptional performance in sweeping their opponents in the single-elimination format. In the regular season, they have started strongly and currently sit just below Fnatic in the standings. Known for their deep understanding of the game and their international presence, NAVI is undoubtedly one of the top four VALORANT teams.
3. LOUD
LOUD has experienced a slight drop since their impressive performance in the LOCK//IN tournament, but this can be attributed to roster changes rather than underperformance. Following their championship win, LOUD made some adjustments, transferring two of their players to regional rivals Sentinels. Despite this, LOUD maintained their momentum and secured a spot in the LOCK//IN finals after an impressive run. They narrowly lost the series with a thrilling five-map contest, finishing with a score of 3-2. In the regular season, LOUD has remained undefeated but faced unexpected challenges along the way. However, their drop to the third spot is due to the continuous improvement of the team that nearly beat them in the LOCK//IN semi-finals.
2. DRX
DRX has overcome their reputation as a dominant regional team that struggled internationally. Their breakthrough came in 2022 when they finished third at Champions, and they have continued to build on that success in 2023. At the LOCK//IN tournament, DRX reached the semi-finals, showcasing their improvement and determination. However, what truly sets them apart is their outstanding performance in regional matches. Having not lost a single map in their four matches against tough opponents like Paper Rex and ZETA DIVISION, DRX currently holds a 10-1 map record. Even after transitioning to the more challenging Pacific competitive region, DRX has maintained their title as an exceptional regional team. It remains to be seen if they can sustain their position, but for now, they rightfully hold the second spot.
1. Fnatic
Fnatic stands as the best VALORANT team in 2023 thus far. Their remarkable comeback in a single map during the LOCK//IN tournament secured them their first international title in VALORANT. The team has carried their exceptional form into the EMEA region regular season and remains a dominant force. Despite the absence of key player Emir “Alfajer” Beder at the start of the season, their sixth man Maks “kamyk” Rychlewski has exceeded all expectations. Fnatic currently holds a near-perfect record in their region, with 5-0 series wins and only one lost map. They have rightfully earned the title of the best VALORANT team for the start of the year, and it’s up to them to maintain that status.
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