VALORANT is preparing for an exciting year of competition with the upcoming VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT). Teams will compete in regional qualifiers for a chance to become the best team in the world. With new signings and rebuilt rosters, there’s a lot to watch out for.
Here are the top North American storylines heading into the VCT.
1. It’s anybody’s game
Last year, the top four teams in North America–100 Thieves, Sentinels, TSM, and Envy–have consistently performed well. However, each team has had its share of victories and losses in different tournaments. The competition is fierce, and with various variables like new agents, maps, and metas, predicting the top four spots becomes even more challenging.
2. A cloudy future for Cloud9
Cloud9 Blue has undergone significant changes in its roster, with the departure of IGL Josh “shinobi” Abastado and the loss of talented player TenZ, who left to focus on content creation. The team struggled last year and failed to qualify for the First Strike main event. It remains to be seen how they will fare in the upcoming Champions Tour.
3. The rise of NRG and Luminosity
Teams like NRG and Luminosity have shown potential and could be this year’s dark horses. NRG’s recent performance in the NSG Winter Championship, where they beat Sentinels, and Luminosity’s victory over top teams like NRG and Sentinels are indicators of their capabilities. They are teams to watch out for in the upcoming tournaments.
The first VCT Open Qualifier in North America starts on January 27.
VALORANT, esports, VALORANT Champions Tour, VCT, North American teams, competition, Cloud9, NRG, Luminosity