Riot unveil Masters 3 format

#1

nyari

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four team groups with only one team going to playoffs each? that's... interesting, for sure.

edit: for clarification, by interesting, I mean wow this format is absolutely scuffed.

EDIT 2: LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOO

#133

arnav

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get this to 69

#134

peteval

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got it

#178

SENBobstar

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Bro we bringing the stupid Nerd Street Gamers playoff bracket to Berlin. Smh riot plz fix

#160

phoenixmb7

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sen simp

#162

Faqz

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Downfragged to keep it at 69

#168

nyari

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doing what must be done, I salute you

#175

PrTsty

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ggwp

#170

BlackChicken

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i did it

#137

number_1_bjor_fan

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NEW FORMAT POG

#143

var1ance

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POGGERS

#145

peteval

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LETS GOOOO

#171

array

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group will host a GSL format, where the top two teams advance into the playoffs.

#2

wetPaneer

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What is this format? Its so bad.

#6

LazyNorn

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bad? again?

#14

wetPaneer

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From the groups 2 teams should qualify, then playoffs would have been more exciting to watch.

#25

LazyNorn

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maybe because the time is too tight? because, if it took too long, there might not be any preparations for the next Tournament, the last chance qualifiers. If the team fails at Masters 3 Berlin, they have to make preparations for the last chance qualifiers in October. well, that's just my opinion.

#33

nitr00

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agree . the last chance qualifier is so important

#48

CuteGuy

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True, it's gonna be hard to qualify for champions by winnings this masters. Time is crucial and even if the teams did good in this masters some wouldn't still have enough points to qualify for champs they still need huge preperation for lcq.

#73

HeatVW

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It's the exact same number of matches if they take 2 per group vs 1 per group

#89

leleuu

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no

#102

sLeePy1

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If they took took 2 per group, there would be quarterfinals. That means, 4 more matches

#118

PrTsty

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But not doing the group finals

#174

latex

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Really depends on whether you wanna see a single elim quarterfinals.

If anything, masters should've followed the SEA playoffs format. 4 groups of 4, round robin groups (where each team plays the other for a 2 map series), top two from each group advance to double elimination playoffs.

The group stage can be easily wrapped off in 6 days (cuz each series is a bo2), and the double elim playoffs in another 6 (like masters 2). A moderate extension from the current format, but much better IMO.

#76

MadnessMedia

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It would only take 1-3 more game days for 2 teams from each group to play in a playoffs bracket, which is very little and wouldn’t affect preparations for LCQ very much. Also, teams that are eliminated before the final few games fly out as soon as they can, so extending the playoffs by a few days would only effect a handful of teams. Weird reasoning, I think it’s more likely that Riot only has the venue for those ten days.

#83

GWAZ

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nah i think this is better format
10 days
6 teams in playoffs

https://www.vlr.gg/33929/this-is-how-berlin-format-should-be

#3

LazyNorn

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LETS GOOOOOOO!!!! Is it still without crowds? like Master 2 Iceland?

#13

eutalyx

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unknown.

#4

b3rnie

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Sheeeeeeeeeeeesh

#5

schlong

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nah this format wack af

#7

Asphyxia

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Wait I read this quickly and I thought it was just GSL groups with probably double elim or single elim playoffs. But only one team going off to playoffs from each group. ehhhh?

#8

asapgranny

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Need more teams in the playoffs so people can follow their favourite teams

#9

Nbs

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xD

#10

GetsystheGr8

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Garbage single Elim bracket and group stage with 1 leaving???? Are they stupid????

#38

HaSanity

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not sinlge elim

#64

Andreyoliveira77

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It will be single elimination for the 4 teams qualified.

#72

Napoleann

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Bro chill with calling them stupid, have some class.

Anyway, yeah they're dumb as hell.

#11

Sheatyy

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this format is genuinely bad. why not do 4 groups round robin and take the top 2 from each group into an 8 team double elim bracket?

#22

PotatoCh1ps

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it will make tourney too longggggggggg

#28

Sheatyy

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League worlds is like a month long.... its not like RIOT is on a time crunch here?

#46

mAko

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I think they are. LCQ is in october.

#55

the_alex_andre

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Masters Berlin is not Valorant's World Cup. The Champions will take place in November and will last for three weeks, maybe they will do the format you mentioned.

#120

unknown_trash

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But there's only 10 teams in champions

#124

Snapshot

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are you on crack, 16 teams qualify for champions

#127

ShiningTyGuy

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How does one get such bad information?

#57

LastWhisper

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they are, cause LCQ is is literally like within a month after berlin starts

#75

HeatVW

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8-team single elim is the same # of matches as playing out the group decider matches

#26

LazyNorn

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maybe because the time is too tight? because, if it took too long, there might not be any preparations for the next Tournament, the last chance qualifiers. If the team fails at Masters 3 Berlin, they have to make preparations for the last chance qualifiers in October. well, that's just my opinion.

#12

HectooZ

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So how would it work can 2 NA teams be together in the same group or would it be picked randomly.
Like a draw

#16

eutalyx

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seeding pools are unknown. you can probably assume no, though.

#15

kindereggmodel

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I PREDICTED GROUP FORMAT...

#91

TinglyPiano

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duh???

and I predicted the sun will rise from the east tomorow

#17

HectooZ

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Why can they make it like the counter strikes bracket where two teams leave group play and play in the play in

#18

jblancard

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i hate it

#19

carriedcarry

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Dogshit format i hope riot will change their minds

#139

anteee

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değiştirdiler de olay neydi anlatsana ve neden kimse beğenmedi şimdi neye değiştirildi

#20

HectooZ

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100% should be two teams

#30

nyari

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my exact thoughts. so used to group stages having winners + deciders with teams going 2-0 getting top seed in bracket while 2-1 teams get lower seed. this is so weird.

#21

ranker11

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3 NA 1 EU ezpz

#29

hekzy

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Well Acend will be in a group with EnVy so not really.

#32

yanir

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Acend isn't even confirmed EMEA number 1 seed yet

#37

ranker11

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yay> cned

#69

anuma108

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If Acend gets seed 1, probably gonna have no NA teams in the same group

#156

hekzy

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Oh true

#135

unchained66x

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that aged like milk

#157

hekzy

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Not over yet

#23

sexyfuck

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What atleast 2 teams should qualify from each group. wtf is this. 4 team single elim sounds so boring. too little chances for anything interesting to happen

#24

Glycoroldas

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So seeding is kind of useless again?

nvm, looks like seeding is yuuuuge

#27

HectooZ

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The format is soo ass. Two teams should qualify to play in the play more chances for other teams which would be really good.

#31

plebwong

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single elimination playoff is actually horrible wtf

#34

bambamskrrt

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should be 2 team from each group

#35

LouBag

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Dropped the ball

Fumbled the bag

Me: first real international lan with 16 teams. Riot can’t possible fuck this up worse than Iceland!

Riot: Hold my beer

#42

LouBag

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We will have so few teams playing against each other. The most teams someone will play is 6 of the 16. What is this dog shit.

1 team qualified from groups? What if the 2nd best team in the tournament is in a group with the best team? They don’t even get to the playoffs?

I honestly think this is the worst tournament format I have ever seen. Are they trying to kill their game? Did valve pay them off?

Ruined my day.

#49

LouBag

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Also this sets up a very realistic chance of an all EU or all (basically) NA playoffs which would be HORRIBLE for the scene.

Dog shit

#66

Itachi_9898

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man I hope riot take some consideration and make it like 2 teams out of each group

#36

atmajitxD

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single elimination bracket XDDDDDD

#39

hekzy

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Yeah this is kinda bad. If you're gonna have single elim in playoffs might as well make it 8 teams.

#41

hekzy

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To people who will say it takes too long, it doesn't. The fact that only 1 team can go through a group means that you have to play an extra match the "group grand final". So with this tactic you may be adding another 4 bo5s but you are also removing 4 bo3s. This means that you just add an approximate 8 maps WHICH SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT LONG RIOT.

#40

Navegazz

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why not group stages, like in LOL, than top 2 teams of each group play.

#43

ArgieGR8ArgieB8ArgieM8

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Group of death and massive amount of complaints incoming. It is what it is.

#44

Siempre_Happy

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we are gonna see very few encounters between our favorites teams bc the format is so small and fast :(

#45

mrpluto23

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Groups should've been like this :(
https://liquipedia.net/counterstrike/Intel_Extreme_Masters/Season_XVI/Cologne

#47

sowe_wone

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I know that riot didn't had much time at Berlin so they made this format, but I really hope that they make a better format at champoins

#50

LouBag

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Anyone who thought seeding matches didn’t matter probably feel dumb as a box a rocks right now.

#51

ArgieGR8ArgieB8ArgieM8

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Tip for the graphic designer: In the image showing the groups, only one side of the final match should be highlighted as white so it's easier to interpret how many will qualify.

As of now it looks like it's two teams per group qualifying and in the next slide the bracket split implies there's 7 matches instead of 7 teams... Suddenly it changes from matches to teams in the second graphic.

Very confusing. Yes, I know the annotator says one team from each group, but people will screenshot it.

#52

Frandons

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What if Sentinels win? Who goes to Champions then?

#53

plebwong

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another team from NA will secure a slot in Champions

#104

anshul

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how is that fair though? Shouldn't it just be second place or smth?

#123

eMdeee

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Na has 2 Champions spots based on circuit points. SEN has mathematically qualified in one of those slots, with 100T and NV fighting over the last spot. If they win masters, then they take up that qual spot, and 100T and NV take the circuit point spots for Champions.

#54

GetsystheGr8

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The second place team

#111

PrTsty

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Wrong

#56

cloud9bluefan

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Wish it was 2 teams from each group

#58

zenv

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will the group stage be LAN?

#68

yungbasel

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Yes. It's all LAN

#59

fenad27139

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I don't like this.
One qualified per group and then single elimination.

#60

turkey

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i like that they are doing a double elim group stage. i hate that only 1 can go through each group

#61

RRoadRRunneRR

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Sounds strange

#62

Mbappe

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I just don't like the forced different regions in a group instead of looking at quality/seeding of the teams. You can lose 3 possible tourney winners with this while a technically weaker group can advance

#63

LouBag

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You only need to beat 2-3 out of 16 teams to get 4th hahahaha

#65

Itachi_9898

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WTH that should be 2 teams out of each brackets why is there only 1 team its frikin sad if some deserving team miss this bc of this format

#67

QuentinTaranpivo

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Groups have lower brackets, so calm down guys, every team will have 2nd chance.

#70

Fat_Lard

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Why even do a group stage when you could just do a 16 team double elimination bracket? If a team gets an easy group then they already make it to semis? I know there's a time concern but a 16 team double elimination bracket wouldn't take longer than an entire group stage. Group stages are always less exciting then the actual bracket play so why not just make the entire thing a double elim bracket? I also hope they make it so that the groups should be like Group 1: NA, EMEA +2, Group 2: NA, EMEA +2, Group 3: NA, EMEA +2, Group 4: KR, EMEA +2. If VS is in a group with a NA and EMEA team than this will be even worse formatting. Let's hope they make the best groups they can.

#142

User011098

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Or make a double elimination 2 groups of 8 teams

#71

pewpew

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so 9 teams will never play with each other. I wonder if there is a better format than this.

#74

yungbasel

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On one hand the format is dire. On the other hand, this isn't supposed to be the grand international tournament we all want ( I presume that's champions). This is essentially another qualification step.

Let's hope for a better, less convoluted format for next year.

#77

ChowChow

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That group stage is so strange.
And how the seeded teams work?

#78

abulmal

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```If only one will be qualified from each group, where's the point of double elimination in group stage? What's the point of upper bracket or lower bracket?

#80

hellaeleganceyeah

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so that you dont get knocked out if you just have a bad day.

#95

redlotus

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Except if u have a bad day at the group final you get knocked out while winning 2 matches and only losing 1 making it not double elim anyway

#155

hellaeleganceyeah

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lol you cant lose in grand finals in any double elim bracket and still have a chance to win. thats why the grand final, its do or die when you get there.

#158

redlotus

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I said group finals not grands

#161

hellaeleganceyeah

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group finals are the "grand finals" for the group. not anymore in the new format cause they changed it but it was.

#79

hellaeleganceyeah

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noooo. this give so much space for an upset. an sea team could easily fluke to the final 4 teams. just make it normal group stage riot. also single elim top 4 matches. what the fuck.

#81

2jz

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dumb format riot sucks

#82

bow___

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i have simple thing to repair this.
just delete last groups' matches and instead of this, make quarterfinals.

its so simple...

#84

yungbasel

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"or, in the case of a Sentinels victory, their region - in Valorant Champions, the end of year LAN tournament rumored to be held in Los Angeles."

Someone help me with this, I am a little confused. I understand that because of circuit points, Sen are already guaranteed a spot in champions, and if they win Berlin, that creates another spot for an NA team for champions.

But isn't this the case for all regions anyway?

For example if vS won Berlin, they automatically go to champions. But that also means another team from circuit points plus a team from LCQ gets a spot right?

The article makes it sound like this only applies to Sen, am I missing something?

#85

Fire737

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If Sen wins berlin 2 teams I.e envy and 100t both auto qualify to champions
Unlike other regions where only 1 team auto qualifies through circuit points

#99

yungbasel

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I get that, but how is it any different if an EMEA team wins?

Yes, it won't be auto qualification for 2 teams because of points standing. But still

Berlin winner
Emea circuit X2
Emea LCQ

This is the same as NA if Sen wins:
Berlin winner (Sen)
Na circuit X2
Na LCQ.

Correct me if I'm wrong, just confused by them singling out Sen in this situation. I've heard others do it too, can't see what I'm missing haha.

#113

PrTsty

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Ye ur right

#114

ShiningTyGuy

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its not people just have no brains and couldnt figure out what would happen with the circuit point slots in NA, since Sen already qualed to champions through circuit points. Obvi if Sen wins Berlin, the next two teams with the highest circuit points (100t and NV) would take the circuit point slots. For some reason theres people who couldnt figure that out. Whatever region wins berlin gets an extra slot an champions

#166

yungbasel

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Gotcha!

#86

SuckUrMumBruv

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my brain isnt big enough

#93

TinglyPiano

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then Valorant is perfect for u then KEKW

#87

FADED

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dogshit format

#88

Adruvi17

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have a good group >>>> be a good team (totally unfair)

#90

eaSin

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Only 4 teams in the playoffs. Nice format lul

#92

cnfpsworstfps

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worst format

#94

jkaz

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worst format ever 9days and still not the time for having quarter instead of only the first qualifying

#96

Ryuzaki

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I'm not watching the matches if they keep this format.

#97

pokedyo3

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riot quarters for playoffs plsss

#98

ZEMTAH

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What on earth was the thought process here? This is a garbage format.

You have so many existing formats to copy and you create this monstrosity where the 2nd best team can go out if they hit the 1st best in their group.

And not having double elim on the last game when you are only letting one through?

God I hope Riot fixes this, let the top two teams in their group through.

#100

JustEnjoying

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TWO TEAMS OUT OF EACH GROUP PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Thank you :)

#101

Excalibur5

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I mean this format would have been much better, taken from CS:GO lan :)

#103

KiwisAreAwesome

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yeah the way their format is right now there are 6 games for every group and 3 games for the top four teams (24 + 3 games)
what many people want is two teams coming out of each group which means 5 games for each group and seven games for the top 8 playoffs (20 + 7 games)
the second option being preferred by many is actually the same amount of games so maybe riot should you know CHOOSE THE SECOND OPTION LMAO

also a double elim bracket for the potential top 8 would extend the dates of masters berlin which they cant change but what they can change is the first option to the second lol

#109

kobs_0

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I'd upvote this 80 times if I could. I still much rather the format of maybe a round robin since Riot are getting too acclimated to this double elimination bracket style, it gets old. They need to try different formats at some point, I suppose Berlin isn't the place to do it, however.

#117

ShiningTyGuy

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Very, very well said

#126

tinted

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well said indeed

#140

User011098

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Look at sea stage3 16 teams total they finish it only within 8 days with double elim. Riot should use SEA BRACKET SYSTEM

#106

User011098

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They should just use SEA group stage where 4 teams each group 16 teams total bo2..... 2 teams each group make it to playoff double elim make it 2 stream to make it short. To satisfy some nerd in comment section...

#110

kobs_0

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This would be very nice, but Riot are not fond of 2 streams during S-tier events, as shown with all of LCS.

#107

Cladderly

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I feel like a straight 16 team double elimination bracket would just be way better. It would be a few extra games (30 matches total) but it is still totally possible to get it done in 10 days while minimizing the amount of games a team would have to play each day.

I also agree with what others have suggested - 2 teams from each group and then a 8 team single elimination playoffs. This is also much better than the current format.

I really hope they revise this is some way because I'm really not a fan of the current format.

#112

kobs_0

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Then seeding would mean nothing from regions. I mean, it currently doesn't really mean that much anyway, other than the likes of SEN avoiding Acend until Semi finals should they both win their groups.

#108

DONTONO

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Sen and G2 will be in the same group

#115

kobs_0

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Most likely.
SEN, G2, Havan Liberty (BR1), SEA seed #2
100T, EU #3, F4Q, Crazy Raccoon
NV, EU #2, BR2, VS
Acend, SEA #1, LATAM, Zeta Division

Some seeds like the LATAM, BR2, SEA #2 & JP #2 seeds could obviously be swapped around to have more "even" strength across groups, but I see something like this making the most sense.

#116

vasswood

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Why not 2 from each group???? Riot ffs

#119

V0sotros

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Anyone know how the seeding for the final playoff will be determined? I’m assuming it will be by win deficits

#130

kobs_0

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probably pre determined
Group A vs Group C winner
Group B vs Group D winner

#121

Undercover

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oh well

#122

Hact

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there's so much potential to have a lot of amazing games because of the teams at berlin, I was thinking that Berlin could even be better than Champions because these are all the best teams of each regions, almost no upsets. Then Riot came in and gave us this shit format :(

#125

EyeZick

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Easy fix, if they don’t do it, going to ruin the event

#128

Brensek

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IMO this format is intentional since it is a free ticket to champion if teams win this. There are also some tourneys left like last chance which require these teams to prepare. As I said, the higher the prize, the harder the tourney is and the slimmer chance to fail.

#129

warry

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rip no swiss format :(

#131

kobs_0

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I think too many games. Typically teams with 3 wins move on in 16-team swiss...
Rounds 1-3 = 24 matches
Round 4 = 6 matches
Round 5 = 3 matches

8 teams move on = 7 matches single elim

40 matches is way too many for 9 days with only 1 stream. Maybe they do it for Champions if they want to use 2 streams

#132

asunasBWCinmymouth

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too bad asuna has to send 3 teams home before the real deal even kicks off

#136

unchained66x

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multimillionaire company btw

#138

User011098

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Just use SEA format 16 teams 4per group play for bo2 they did it 4 days 6 games per daym. Then do a nornal double elim on playoff lat 8 teams

#141

tennisfan

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They changed the format so now it's an 8-team single elimination bracket

#147

User011098

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They put their video on private i think they are changing it.. why not use sea bracket format

#144

L0M4H

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As much as we hated on the format, I want us to show riot that we really appreciate them listening to us.

#146

Scottyboi30

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would've rathered 2 from each group and have 8 but the time slot has to fit, just means some teams we wont see play each other. Sentinels will have G2 most likely a japan and sea/latam team in their group. Then No.1 emea seed will have no NA team, F4Q, SEA team and 2nd brazil seed

#148

User011098

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Imagine the team undefeated on group got eliminated at the start of quarter finals
Thers no 2nd chance for them sad hahahahah btw thanks riot for listening on your community

#149

CuteGuy

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Wtf riot actually listen and change the playoffs format o.o? Wow gotta admit even if sometimes they shit on tech difficulties/pause they actually reconsider their game's community. Cool for a game company👏.

#150

krrmZ

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l like more the idea that the format of Berlin will be the same as the playoffs

#151

ClawZ

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Well they always listen to us

#152

SamTheGreat47

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W rito

#153

drafteus

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Riot > valve

#154

iMyw

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Love how riot care about their games man

#159

vinnyyy

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w riot changed to 2 teams per group

#163

TheMythbust3r

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All da homies love Riot

#164

starscream

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Format change details;
https://twitter.com/ValorantEsports/status/1428878325498318850

#165

Drago9t

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Cant wait just fuqing start <3

#167

yungbasel

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Riot overlords. Good on 'em

#169

raka_gg

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Thank you Riot

#172

Shanty

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Thank you Riot

#173

Thomaslee

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Thanks riot best

#176

Pamarthe

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Kinda wish it was double elim top 8 but what do I know?

#177

swaglord69

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there aren't enough days for that