no skill gap CONFIRMED

it feels like every map is close now, i think every team at this level of competition has reached the peak skill and at this point it is just mostly random

back in the day u would see blowouts between good teams and bad teams but it seems u cant really improve beyond a certain point anymore and every game is close

at Copenhagen:
OpTic vs Guild (11-13, 14-16)
LOUD vs KRU (10-13, 13-9, 10-13)
FPX vs XIA (14-12, 9-13, 13-10)
Guild vs KRU (12-14)

only blowout was DRX vs NTH

plus every grand final seems random and too close
OpTic vs LOUD (13-9, 14-12, 15-13)
Gambit vs Acend ended 3-2 with lots of close maps
Gambit vs Envy (15-13, 13-11, 13-9)
Sentinels vs Fnatic (14-12, 16-14, 13-11)

i just want a lot more blowouts so i can see there is a clear skill gap, cuz it just seems like every match between two decent teams ends somewhere between 13-9 to overtime

SEN blew the entire tournament out, didnt drop a map

Yea. Most games r close except when a shitmea team is playing.
Then the shitmea team just gets destroyed.

Mr. Mattgg2015, have you ever considered that it may be because teams are becoming more even in skill? Or maybe because sometimes people have a bad day?

as i said going into M1, there is no such thing as a minor region because every region is competitive and has several international level teams
(except for maybe korea, but DRX is still a top 5-10 itw consistently) Its good for the scene to have such a small international gap because it means anyone can win, thats why "upsets" happen all the time

moatz [#3]

Yea. Most games r close except when a shitmea team is playing.
Then the shitmea team just gets destroyed.

or hide for 1:15 and wait for the major region players to fall asleep while they hold for pushes

MerkFreeks [#5]

as i said going into M1, there is no such thing as a minor region because every region is competitive and has several international level teams
(except for maybe korea, but DRX is still a top 5-10 itw consistently) Its good for the scene to have such a small international gap because it means anyone can win, thats why "upsets" happen all the time

Agreed, all regions can compete except for shitmea

MerkFreeks [#5]

as i said going into M1, there is no such thing as a minor region because every region is competitive and has several international level teams
(except for maybe korea, but DRX is still a top 5-10 itw consistently) Its good for the scene to have such a small international gap because it means anyone can win, thats why "upsets" happen all the time

cant wait for korea to win :D

1wnb [#4]

Mr. Mattgg2015, have you ever considered that it may be because teams are becoming more even in skill? Or maybe because sometimes people have a bad day?

yes everyone is even in skill thats why its close, that is the problem. The skill cap should be a lot higher so you can clearly see reallly good teams and meh teams, i just want some juicy blowouts

like when i watch CS and i see a team like Movistar Riders beat G2 and Vitality, i can clearly see that this team is very skilled. But watching this game KRU beating LOUD and Guild, they dont do anything that skilled to me it just looks like they are even in terms of skill and very minor things just went in their favor and they won

Gambit vs. Acend ended 2-3

babysasuke [#7]

Agreed, all regions can compete except for shitmea

nah emea can compete too, fnatic are a top 3 itw.
FPX when full roster is pretty good
guild is just emea xset
they've still technically won as many masters + champs as NA. (the only 2 regions to do so)

I understand why you're saying that given the toxicity of some of the emea supremacist trolls but you're just as bad bro

MerkFreeks [#9]

nah emea can compete too, fnatic are a top 3 itw.
FPX when full roster is pretty good
guild is just emea xset
they've still technically won as many masters + champs as NA. (the only 2 regions to do so)

I understand why you're saying that given the toxicity of some of the emea supremacist trolls but you're just as bad bro

FNC are wildly overhyped

Ive seen enough of Boaster to know that if they really wanted to compete internationally, there would have been someone better to swap him out with

daeg [#6]

cant wait for korea to win :D

DRX eventually will break through and win a masters im sure, honestly I wanna see them PRX, LOUD, or any of the other non emea/na teams win a masters or champs

MerkFreeks [#5]

as i said going into M1, there is no such thing as a minor region because every region is competitive and has several international level teams
(except for maybe korea, but DRX is still a top 5-10 itw consistently) Its good for the scene to have such a small international gap because it means anyone can win, thats why "upsets" happen all the time

there should be minor regions, every other game has them and valorant doesnt not because the population of players are equal across regions but because its random

It's just that everyone knows how to play the game now.

If you want skill gap maybe Fnatic has it now. Or Loud in a really good day.

babysasuke [#12]

FNC are wildly overhyped

Ive seen enough of Boaster to know that if they really wanted to compete internationally, there would have been someone better to swap him out with

fnatic have atleast been consistent in making every international except Berlin

fnc rn isn't overhyped, they won emea for a reason, and emea is probably one of the two most competitive regions domestically. I can see them at bare minimum finishing top 6 at copenhagen.

mattgg2015 [#11]

there should be minor regions, every other game has them and valorant doesnt not because the population of players are equal across regions but because its random

the only regions that would be considered minor rn are OCE, SA, China, and MENA

mattgg2015 [#7]

yes everyone is even in skill thats why its close, that is the problem. The skill cap should be a lot higher so you can clearly see reallly good teams and meh teams, i just want some juicy blowouts

like when i watch CS and i see a team like Movistar Riders beat G2 and Vitality, i can clearly see that this team is very skilled. But watching this game KRU beating LOUD and Guild, they dont do anything that skilled to me it just looks like they are even in terms of skill and very minor things just went in their favor and they won

Stopped reading at "when I watch cs"

Mca [#12]

It's just that everyone knows how to play the game now.

If you want skill gap maybe Fnatic has it now. Or Loud in a really good day.

It's just that everyone knows how to play the game now

I agree, i just think there is a limit to where u cant get better than that. in CS people are always discovering new things and the skill cap is insanely high, but in valorant it seems most top teams have done all they really can do and they cant get much better than this

how does no blowouts = impossible to improve ?

the grand finals thing is even more confusing because logically those are the two best teams in the tournament and thus should have very close maps.

babysasuke [#7]

Agreed, all regions can compete except for shitmea

True! Only a t3 region would lose against EMEA right?

lilcheese [#18]

True! Only a t3 region would lose against EMEA right?

a t3 region wouldnt even have a slot in master
0/8 bait

babysasuke [#6]

or hide for 1:15 and wait for the major region players to fall asleep while they hold for pushes

Yea they rat in corners bc they know they'll get aim diffed by na players.

Everyone in group A deserved a better chance to get to playoffs, these games are all 50-50

MerkFreeks [#5]

as i said going into M1, there is no such thing as a minor region because every region is competitive and has several international level teams
(except for maybe korea, but DRX is still a top 5-10 itw consistently) Its good for the scene to have such a small international gap because it means anyone can win, thats why "upsets" happen all the time

'except korea' when every team that's not the 1st seed from a minor region has done nothing

sheahhhh [#2]

SEN blew the entire tournament out, didnt drop a map

Close maps though, just fortunate they can close them out

lol its the top 12 teams in the world what do you expect, especially when there's so many ways and style to play valorant. These games are gonna be close and its 10 times more exciting like that. Also of course there's skill gap when you have one team regions that dominate like Loud with brazil, DRX with korea, and PRX with APAC

moatz [#20]

Yea they rat in corners bc they know they'll get aim diffed by na players.

Literally the trash regions play rat corners. Like xerxia in garage or kru in garden today

Ullyr [#24]

lol its the top 12 teams in the world what do you expect, especially when there's so many ways and style to play valorant. These games are gonna be close and its 10 times more exciting like that. Also of course there's skill gap when you have one team regions that dominate like Loud with brazil, DRX with korea, and PRX with APAC

not the top 12 teams in the world, u cant say NTH or XIA are top 12. The real top 12 would prolly be like 4-5 each of EU and NA with maybe PRX and DRX

There will be more blowouts once some teams are more comfortable on stage

jimjam789 [#22]

'except korea' when every team that's not the 1st seed from a minor region has done nothing

Korea has only ever sent 1 other team other than DRX to a masters, and that team doesnt exist anymore. Thats not a diss on korea at all. I'm just saying compared to every other region to this point. Korea is the only one who hasnt sent multiple teams to more than 1 international event.
LATAM until Copenhagen was in that same boat.

sheahhhh [#2]

SEN blew the entire tournament out, didnt drop a map

literally every single map against fnatic in the final had a 2 round margin

mattgg2015 [#26]

not the top 12 teams in the world, u cant say NTH or XIA are top 12. The real top 12 would prolly be like 4-5 each of EU and NA with maybe PRX and DRX

then there's clearly a skill gap, I don't understand what you're arguing for. Valorant as an esports manage to capture interests in nearly every region. Its one of the shooters that can be truly competitive with every region. Whereas in other games , there's dead region or no esports scene at all to grow. Blow out games are so boring, legit don't want to watch a couple of teams just steam roll competition over and over. Its just not fun.

mattgg2015 [#16]

It's just that everyone knows how to play the game now

I agree, i just think there is a limit to where u cant get better than that. in CS people are always discovering new things and the skill cap is insanely high, but in valorant it seems most top teams have done all they really can do and they cant get much better than this

I doubt that. Is just that everyone is playing the game in a similar manner. For me there is things that create a huge gap between teams, but it's hard for teams to do it properly yet.

Like Icebox B site way of playing perfectly.

another 12-11, this is a coinflip simulator

https://twitter.com/bramzFPS/status/1546613201218969606 another example too

yeah, the games are very unpredictable now

MerkFreeks [#28]

Korea has only ever sent 1 other team other than DRX to a masters, and that team doesnt exist anymore. Thats not a diss on korea at all. I'm just saying compared to every other region to this point. Korea is the only one who hasnt sent multiple teams to more than 1 international event.
LATAM until Copenhagen was in that same boat.

you realise thats due to the fact that kr literally only has 1 slot right. u think 2nd seeds from other minor regions are beating domestic drx? and kr has sent 3 teams, latam has sent 2, jp has sent 3. the only minor region that has sent more is br and thats simply due to the fact of the amount of slots they get.

MerkFreeks [#19]

a t3 region wouldnt even have a slot in master
0/8 bait

how come na have slots???

mattgg2015 [#7]

yes everyone is even in skill thats why its close, that is the problem. The skill cap should be a lot higher so you can clearly see reallly good teams and meh teams, i just want some juicy blowouts

like when i watch CS and i see a team like Movistar Riders beat G2 and Vitality, i can clearly see that this team is very skilled. But watching this game KRU beating LOUD and Guild, they dont do anything that skilled to me it just looks like they are even in terms of skill and very minor things just went in their favor and they won

valid point ngl.

low skill ceiling

mattgg2015 [#26]

not the top 12 teams in the world, u cant say NTH or XIA are top 12. The real top 12 would prolly be like 4-5 each of EU and NA with maybe PRX and DRX

ratio + XIA beat optic twice

jimjam789 [#35]

you realise thats due to the fact that kr literally only has 1 slot right. u think 2nd seeds from other minor regions are beating domestic drx? and kr has sent 3 teams, latam has sent 2, jp has sent 3. the only minor region that has sent more is br and thats simply due to the fact of the amount of slots they get.

Kr has sent 2 teams, vs == drx

mattgg2015 [#33]

https://twitter.com/bramzFPS/status/1546613201218969606 another example too

Meanwhile CS awp kills all 5 people and drop 40 kills every pro match so who cars

MerkFreeks [#28]

Korea has only ever sent 1 other team other than DRX to a masters, and that team doesnt exist anymore. Thats not a diss on korea at all. I'm just saying compared to every other region to this point. Korea is the only one who hasnt sent multiple teams to more than 1 international event.
LATAM until Copenhagen was in that same boat.

KR has sent 3 teams, NUTURN, F4Q and DRX/VS

babysasuke [#7]

Agreed, all regions can compete except for shitmea

https://www.vlr.gg/112282/optic-gaming-vs-guild-esports-valorant-champions-tour-stage-2-masters-copenhagen-opening-a
https://www.vlr.gg/51291/team-liquid-vs-cloud9-valorant-champions-qf
https://www.vlr.gg/51274/team-liquid-vs-sentinels-valorant-champions-winners-b
https://www.vlr.gg/51268/acend-vs-envy-valorant-champions-winners-a
https://www.vlr.gg/51283/fnatic-vs-cloud9-blue-valorant-champions-opening-d/?game=all&tab=overview
https://www.vlr.gg/34979/envy-vs-gambit-esports-valorant-champions-tour-stage-3-masters-berlin-gf
https://www.vlr.gg/35942/g2-esports-vs-sentinels-valorant-champions-tour-stage-3-masters-berlin-group-d/?game=all&tab=overview
https://www.vlr.gg/19085/version1-vs-fnatic-valorant-champions-tour-stage-2-masters-reykjavik-main-event-lr3

“eMeA cAnT cOmPeTe lMaO 🤓🤓”

unknown_trash [#40]

Kr has sent 2 teams, vs == drx

f4q, nuturn, drx

stopped reading at matt

jimjam789 [#35]

you realise thats due to the fact that kr literally only has 1 slot right. u think 2nd seeds from other minor regions are beating domestic drx? and kr has sent 3 teams, latam has sent 2, jp has sent 3. the only minor region that has sent more is br and thats simply due to the fact of the amount of slots they get.

Yeah I know Korea has 1 slot, and i dont think anyone was gonna be beating DRX. I knew they sent f4q and nuturn. But as stated in #17, i dont consider KR, BR, or LATAM minor regions. And yeah I know the fact that we only see DRX is the fact that they get the only slot KR has. Thats moreso a format problem than anything, my point was only being that thus far nobody has challenged DRX for that no 1 spot. Whereas every other region regardless of spots has had numerous teams be that 1 seed. Not to say they arent competitive because hell, we could easily see a 2nd korean team at champs via east asia lcq.

I think u were just misunderstanding what i meant by mentioning korea

US flag, but i totally agree. 1 year ago fpx vs xerxia wouldve been 2-0 fpx 13-7 13-5, now its 2-1 and fkn ot s , love this shit

babysasuke [#6]

or hide for 1:15 and wait for the major region players to fall asleep while they hold for pushes

rare, but good one Lsasuke lol

mattgg2015 [#7]

yes everyone is even in skill thats why its close, that is the problem. The skill cap should be a lot higher so you can clearly see reallly good teams and meh teams, i just want some juicy blowouts

like when i watch CS and i see a team like Movistar Riders beat G2 and Vitality, i can clearly see that this team is very skilled. But watching this game KRU beating LOUD and Guild, they dont do anything that skilled to me it just looks like they are even in terms of skill and very minor things just went in their favor and they won

are you fkn dumb? in what world would a viewer enjoy a one sided game especially when his fav team is not playing. the skill gap is close and makes the tournament so so good. it means now the good team has to maintain consistency as they'll get no easy games

he's a baiter dont mind arguing with Lsasuke

babysasuke [#6]

or hide for 1:15 and wait for the major region players to fall asleep while they hold for pushes

its actually so big brained they bore the enemy to death so they done need to outaim them

MerkFreeks [#9]

nah emea can compete too, fnatic are a top 3 itw.
FPX when full roster is pretty good
guild is just emea xset
they've still technically won as many masters + champs as NA. (the only 2 regions to do so)

I understand why you're saying that given the toxicity of some of the emea supremacist trolls but you're just as bad bro

No shot you are complaining about EMEA trolls while replying to babysasuke 💀💀

I think close games are more enjoyable than blowouts.

PigeX [#53]

I think close games are more enjoyable than blowouts.

im a blowout fan, i just love seeing a team getting owned 13-3 i need that in my life

6vine [#52]

No shot you are complaining about EMEA trolls while replying to babysasuke 💀💀

Isnt these replies me literally disagreeing with him, im fully aware he isnt any better. Never claimed otherwise

mattgg2015 [#7]

yes everyone is even in skill thats why its close, that is the problem. The skill cap should be a lot higher so you can clearly see reallly good teams and meh teams, i just want some juicy blowouts

like when i watch CS and i see a team like Movistar Riders beat G2 and Vitality, i can clearly see that this team is very skilled. But watching this game KRU beating LOUD and Guild, they dont do anything that skilled to me it just looks like they are even in terms of skill and very minor things just went in their favor and they won

based

Blowouts are boring. Close, unpredictable matches are much more fun and makes for an interesting tournament not knowing who will actually be champ.

mattgg2015 [#54]

im a blowout fan, i just love seeing a team getting owned 13-3 i need that in my life

That's.... not competition. The scene would eventually die if that were to be the case