This’ll be a big thread, so here goes! Enjoy :) I’ll update this as more knowledge comes to light
Korea has recently shaped up to be big in its roster changes, so here is a list of what we currently know
Here are the current orgs known to play next year
Vision Strikers
ESports Connected
Damwon Kia
World Game Star
TNL Esports
GoNGo Prince
F4Q
Rio Company(?)
Lunatic-hai
Spear Gaming
Alpha Six Gaming
Warriors Esports
KGA Esports
Maru Gaming
(LCK Org, unknown)
SGA Esports(?)
Talon(?)
Sandbox(?)
Element Mystic(?)
Ghibli(?)
Vision Strikers:
k1Ng is currently out on loan to ESportsConnected: an ex-LCK org that recently looked to join Valorant. This means Lakia is now on the starting roster, and Rb may likely up the Sentinel role. However, there is also a big announcement coming out on the 7th regarding Vision Strikers. Truthfully, theres not much I can publicly say (its likely a team core change) but if what’s rumored is true, its big
Rumored final roster, as of now
- Stax
- MaKo
- Rb
- BuZz
- Lakia
- k1Ng (Inactive, loan)
- termi, glow, ARGENCY (coach)
ESports Connected
The new org on the scene gaining traction. Laid out big bucks for their roster, as can be seen with their players. With their announcement of Zunba, this leaves one slot as their fifth. Initially, 10X and Hermes would be on the roster, however looked less likely as more announcements came out. Hermes outdid both Chibab (ex-DWG) and Lawrence (ex-GNG) in trials, and held up against Hyeoni in officials. However from yesterday, Hyeoni seemed to outperform Hermes and trials and will likely join. Zunba said their fifth was an Overwatch player on stream today, so this might mean either: Bunny, Munchkin, or Hyeoni (ex-OW ladder). Team looks solid, and was a good choice to play with Zunba until his service in June
Update: Fifth confirmed to be Bazzi, relates to Zunba saying their fifth is a OW player
Final Roster: - GodDead
- Moothie
- Zunba
- k1Ng/10X (After k1ng loan ends?)
- Bazzi
- Peri, Jaemin (coach)
Damwon Kia
The team was looking to rebuild in September following Berlin, however got the call that they would play in APAC LCQ, giving them little time to prepare. Big changes were recently revealed, with Secret (IGL) being dropped, and Eugene also likely to be dropped too in place of Esperanza. He initially wanted to play with Locomotive, however he’s been signed to a new org too alongside Persia (ex-TBP, VVS). Jeong Hi currently unknown, but will also likely stay. Secret replacement unknown, but it seems as if they’re currently trialing out a player from Zunba’s recent leak of Esperanza in a 6 man party with t3xture
Munchkin could also be a possibility due to being an IGL
Update: Munchkin set to re-sign with CR. Esperanza and hyeoni joined the roster, Eugene announcement likely soon
Rumored final roster: - t3xture
- iNTRO
- Jeong Hi
- Esperanza
- hyeoni
- Eraser, Calmly, solo (coach)
World Game Star
This is a team that looked to be under the radar following their underperformances in Stage 3. Newgen, Xpp, and has1ra14 were all dropped, and replaced with 3 new players: ClarK, Halbae, and GODLIKE. Considering the team almost beat VS in Stage 2, and with their previous iteration: definitely a team to watch out for next year. Finished Top 4 in ShotVal to TNL, who would eventually go out to win the event. This was before the Godlike signing, so its likely these results may reflect better in the first split. Not sure if iRdy will stay, as he’s looked less consistent lately, but we’ll probably see soon. HANN is a scary player, and with him finally getting more support from the team around him, WGS may do numbers next year
Final Roster: - HANN
- Sylvan
- Halbae
- ClarK
- iRdy
- GODLIKE
- Cruise (coach)
TNL Esports
After releasing Hate, eKo, and fAwn, they picked up SeliG and JinboongE. SeliG was also released, and TNL is now looking for a fifth to replace him. Future looks decent for TNL, if they fix their finances. TNL is apparently down a lot when it came to finances, and do not look like they’re in a good shape as a business. May even leave the scene soon if it’s not fixed soon enough
Update: JinboongE staying on TNL. SeliG replacement has been found. TNL looking to stay in Valorant for now
Rumored final roster: - Meteor
- TS
- exy
- JinboongE
- (?)
- bail (coach)
NUTURN
As a contrast to TNL, Nuturn is receiving new life with their recent investment of 640,000 USD by Korean venture capital. They’re looking to rejoin Korea in 2022 with an all new roster, however no one knows as of yet who’s on their list of players.
New update: NUTURN likely not returning to Valorant, but rather other esports (Rumors going around with LCK)
Rio Company
News came out about Locomotive, he’s been signed as coach and scout for Rio Company’s returning roster. Persia will also likely join if him and Loco are a package deal
Maybe other Rio agency/former roster players can join, such as Seoldam and Astell? No new rumors yet, but there is also a chance Loco is just coaching the agency players
Rumored roster: - Persia
- (?)
- Locomotive (coach)
GoNGo Prince
After disbanding after Stage 3, Prince are looking to return as well with a new roster. They found a new coach and are looking to make a new, budget roster. No leads as of yet on a roster
Update: Void (amateur?) has likely been signed to GNG
Warriors Esports
PUBGM based and NRL-owned, signed BE INFAMOUS clan
Final Roster: - Fr0g
- Esper
- Rella
- k1sa
- Luffy77
F4Q
Things get interesting here, as FiveK rumor has, has received a sponsor and may play again next year. With Zunba and Esperanza likely signed, Efina likely still is looking to keep streaming. Doenmo has been signed to an org, maybe the same as FiveK’s? Unknown as of yet, but in January we’ll likely receive new info on where FiveK, Doenmo, Efina, and Bunny end up
Rumored roster: - FiveK
- guNkorea(?)
- Doenmo(?)
- (?)
- (?)
SPEAR GAMING
After their top 8 finish in ShotVal, they ended their trials for their ShotVal roster and are currently trialing new players. No leads as of yet
Rumored roster: - Sk9na
- (?)
Sandbox
As of recent update, Sandbox does not look like they’ll join the scene just yet. They’ll wait for more development before joining
Talon Esports
Talon wanted to join as far back as September or earlier, but would still wait out. Recent update had that Talon might join Korea, but is still looking towards Japan and SEA instead as it seems more promising. No lead on to what will be the region they go to
New LCK org
Likely won’t be HLE, Kwangdong (Afreeca), or DRX. Sandbox out of the picture, Damwon already has a team. Either KT Rolster, RedForce, or Brion
INS4NE
New amateur team that recently beat SEA Playoff representative Oasis Gaming 2-0 in a ZOWIE Cup tournament. They've found a new small sponsor, will compete in VCT 2022
Players
Locomotive, Persia signed to “well known org.” Only lead we have on the two (now likely Rio Company)