From my unbiased perspective:

1. Thai

Random TALON thread at 3 am! LFG!!!

Players never the issue. A good coach was needed to deploy discipline and a proper system which Frost has arguably done quite well. Crws has become a confident and critical caller always expecting the best from himself and the team. The other option is Crws moves to the coach/stage coach while Frost remains as HC but perhaps outside the game or when the full Thai roster plays he sits on the side adding input but Crws does the comms for timeouts. I still think Crws can play at the top level and is absolutely valuable as an IGL so I don't want him to retire.

Full Thai roster probably will happen if TALON still cannot find form but unfortunately that probably means Frost will leave as well.

Bro just loves Koreans.

Normal when IGLing.

Taking Crws off IGL will be a disaster. Ban has been consistently underwhelming to me and he wasn't even on the IGL role (though Frost plans to make him IGL while Crws moves to the bench/AC). I don't mind Governor, keep him on duelist entry while letting Primmie flex. Only issue is picking up another Thai talent while speaking English is odd but not impossible.

They are definitely a scrim team who crumble under pressure but if their results are as good as they say, they honestly don't need a roster change, just more practice with Primmie.

The Boys

Honestly, FROST likely wants to keep the current roster but sScary seems like such a good talent to pick up for TALON. That being said, Jitboys has been so good on smokes but he definitely is flexible to revert back to the sentinel role. If Frost got a Thai assistant coach that would be great. I think ban has good leadership and lessens the burden on Crws but if the coach wasn't Frost he'd be getting dropped for sure.

If Crws does indeed step back from IGL/player (rumoured in his streams directly after elimination at champs) to AC and ban takes over IGL then sScary could move back to controller, Jitboys Sentinel and Ban flex (but sometimes ban's util really makes me question reality).

FS chokes when it matters, I called it. As a Thai, of course I wanted FS to win but BOOM and SPG just looked better, end of.

Doubly gutted since I believe BLEED is an org that trusts Thai talent and would've been looking to pick up some Thai players.

Vocal minority. They trash talk every region no worries. Just braindead kids who type 'cringe' at everything unironically.

Here's where you're wrong buddy. Give both slots to Thailand, FS about to roll this tourney.

FS looks drilled and not nervous at all but they were playing against an orgless, coachless team so it's hard to judge how they'll adapt to better teams (I know FS has a high ceiling, but they can be very inconsistent with the likes of JohnOlsen, PTC and Foxz who all have high highs but also incredibly low lows). SPG was shaky at the start but they clawed their way back into a pretty convincing win. I am curious about BOOM since Indonesians are generally very strong shooters. Overall, it's too early to say until we've seen all the teams play a series at least.

goat

Ay nah bruh. Do your thing ~ I listen to มะลิ on the regular dw no need to get sensitive.

Aint no way BRUH.

YENTED ~ Great R&B/Soul band from Thailand that I vibe with.
If you don't mind listening to a foreign language.

YENTED - วิภาวดี 6:00 pm (Vibhavadi)

Come out from under the table.

FS deserve it but I'm quite gutted as a MiTH fan and them losing out for the 2nd year in a row after a seemingly good season.

Shit makes me feel bloated but nice from time to time. Getting shitfaced on Soju however, is a different story.

Obviously Primmie is an unknown quantity in the pro scene especially at Tier 1 but he is gifted mechanically there's no doubting that. Thai fans have long known about Primmie but he hasn't even played in a professional Thai org since he never fully committed to being pro and would rather just join the open qualifiers with friends.

Personally, I'm more on pushing Jitboys to replace Aaron and I've always been a big fan of Jitboys even before he was franchised. I love Mindfreak but I do wonder what PRX would be like if they had a different controller who is perhaps less hot and cold and more consistent like Jitboys has been for TALON. These aren't baseless hypotheses, I do firmly believe these could be upgrades. Again, I love JJ so I might swap him out for Something if I was being more realistic.

Nah, Something is goated and there's no telling if it would be a definite upgrade or not, but mechanically Primmie is literally INSANE and you cannot deny that. You forget something was also an unpolished gem that was just terrorising the JP scene but has learned and matured so much on PRX.

I believe Primmie has a much more flexible agent pool than the likes of Jinggg or Something so I think either of those could be interchangable. I do feel like Jinggg struggles a lot more in a raze-less meta so I'm not opposed to keeping Something and putting Primmie in place of Jinggg.

Primmie trialed but said he wasn't a fan of Coach Frost's coaching style at the time. I guess they managed to butter him up and persuade him (and likely, he's finished his studies his parents wanted him to commit to first) and now has more freedom to play. I'm sure he was offered to play on PRX and some other franchised teams but his English is still not too strong so he would prefer to play on a "Thai" team. Crws is a perfect leader and translator to bridge the gap and Jitboys is a long time friend since they were on the Thai org FW Esports before (and perhaps even before then that I'm unaware of).

Hypothetical PRX Roster.

Primmie (Duelist/Flex)
Forsaken (Flex)
Davai (Initiator)
Jinggg (Duelist)
Jitboys (Controller)

I just think these two kids on TALON are so damn insane mechanically and they would slot so well on PRX. Jitboy's English has improved so much since he joined TALON and his comms level is now perfectly acceptable for PRX English.

I think Yay just needs to pack it up and leave tbh. Grind it out in T2 NA again if he starts feeling it ~ find likeminded yet passionate individuals. I think there was definitely a cultural gap between the BLEED players and Yay and despite their best efforts and it just didn't work out. Perhaps he could try out in EU since their playstyle maybe more suited to him. I just think that what Yay has is mechanics but that isn't what APAC is lacking ~ there's so many mechanically gifted players that just need mentorship to become full-fledged pros who can read the game properly.

I wholeheartedly believe they need to find a new coach and analyst. As much as I respect LEGIJA, he has been with this org a long time but they still rely too much on mechanics (Yet, with this current roster, they do lack the mechanically gifted players that can singlehandedly win games) to win games even when it was the BLEED core that made it from Ascension. One thing is certain, this will not be the roster next year ~ I don't know who they will drop but obviously things need to change. Is it the language barriers? I definitely think there is issues with that but it shouldn't be that detrimental since all the players at least speak VALORANT terms fluently.

I think they need to find a proper and confident IGL (Heck, if you're gonna use an import slot, get one from EU or NA). New coaches; pick up Warbirds and keep LEGIJA as an assistant if you really wish. You have superstars like sScary and solid and veteran players like Zest on your roster yet this team still feels so incoherent. I like Deryeon but I feel like he is not yet ready for the top tier level of play. Having both Crazyguy and Zest will not work since they play conflicting roles but wholeheartedly I feel like CRAZYGUY has looked very shaky on agents that are not Sova. If BLEED does indeed want to represent the Singapore banner, then they'll have to look for players in MY/SG.

In my eyes, keep the core of Zest and sScary ~ both are calm players with similar mindsets and personalities and then find suitable substitutes. Either sScary or Zest can Co-IGL and help with macros but I again think it would be beneficial to find a designated and experienced caller (look for imports?). There are lots of prospective duelists in APAC so this role really shouldn't be a problem to fill ~ heck, drop the bag on Primmie and find a good coach that can mold him into an absolute beast with both mechanics + brain (Look at Jitboys from TALON, incredibly mechnically gifted yet with proper coaching and discipline, he is now by far the best player on TALON). If you want a vibe merchant that also frags, get garnetS ~ bro can play every duelist to a high level and is incredibly fearless and aggressive.

I know I'm turning BLEED into a Thai org and I am incredibly biased (mainly because I don't know all too much about other APAC regions) so feel free to recommend some insane prospects in T2 APAC. I think BLEED needs more firepower rn as a whole. I mean, BLEED honing in the Thai fanbase wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing ~ lot's of fans of VALORANT here and looking for a team to support aside from TALON.

COACH: Warbirds

Controller: sScary (TH) ~ Bait King but I think will compromise with a team he fully trusts
Recon/Viper: Zest (KR) ~ Can IGL or at least Co-IGL
Duelist: GarnetS (TH) ~ Decent English, Hype/Vibe merchant, insane movement and aggression, young and open to learning ~ I think BLEED Is missing an explosive player like this.
Anchor/Sentinel: Primmie (TH) ~ Guy just has the most insane mechanics I've ever seen, just google Primmie Valorant gameplay and watch (Decided to pursue studies but I'm sure if BLEED drops the bag like they did for sScary, taking at least a 1 year break from competing wouldn't hurt.
Flex: Import IGL or find an experienced English speaking IGL. Heck ~ trial out a bunch of players instead of going off of namesake only. Otherwise, commit to having Zest IGL and work on his English ~ I think Warbirds will really complement a playstyle like this. Sign an insane flex player from an APAC region with good English.

I may be delusional... but I'm right half the time.

Anyone else watch the replay on SOOP and the sound delay is unreal. Is this a VOD exclusive thing or is the stream also lagging? I swear they've had this delay for weeks now and still haven't fixed it?

Chase money and play the game he loved initially? ~ Sounds like a great choice to me. He was always at OWL level but he was too young to compete due to the age restriction. What kid wouldn't go back to the game that they wanted to go pro in since the start and where he first made his name ~ SideShow and Bren were literally casting him when he was on Team Thailand in the Overwatch World Cup and saw how cracked he was. He played in OWL, won an event and then dipped; Shortly after OWL dissolves, I'd say he made a good decision. He's still on TALON, if he starts feeling ready to play again, they can just put him on the active roster again.

S1 TALON as a whole was a mess and the environment was a contributing factor to the downfall in all the players. Current TALON looks good and consistently improving with an international roster, Foxz and Sushiboys are killing it on FULL SENSE and strong contenders for APAC Ascension. Garnets is on NKT which is also a solid team in the Thai circuit. That team needed a reset and Patiphan as a pro player needed a long break to reset his mental and let his wrist heal.

He wrist injury was catching up to him and his mental wasn't good in VALORANT. He is now recovering his wrist and having fun on his streams, he could come back to the pro scene no doubt, he's still young and mechanically gifted, just perhaps not ready to re-enter Tier 1 level yet in terms of adapting to the meta and flexibility on agents.

That's what people were thinking last even and then 2 APAC teams got 2nd and 3rd.

Buy the TALON bundle.

The issue is Lenne is a recon specialist and has put countless hours into his lineups and timings and he does them well. He's honestly been playing much better but Surf is just an X factor and a vibe bringer.

I think Crws could definitely do well as a recon player and then putting Ban onto the Kayo role even with how insane Crws played on the last map. Put Surf on sentinel, bro is a great anchor whilst ban is great with supportive util.

They improved their aim and they won their map as predicted.

Delusional. PRX are shooting, TALON needs to get into the range ASAP cause we aint winning with this current aim.

Bro, you can dm me and I'll translate your message into comprehensible English.

He's basically saying if TALON wasn't the "Thai representative" and there was no obligation to pick up Thai players, Frost and co probably wouldn't have any Thai players on the roster (I think this is dumb as hell tbf since Thailand is one of the top sub-regions in APAC).

But basically, I think b0i said on stream a while ago that they wanted to go full Thai (or 4 Thai with b0i as the IGL) but when they were trialling, they felt that the ego and mentalities of the players were toxic and egotistical (b0i was also trialling as a player, and he said that one player didn't even know any lineups which should be the bare minimum if you're trialling for a T1 team).

I personally think Jemkin edges him out in that department.

Just saw a thread about Benkai (If he is indeed booted from GE). He was an IGL of PRX and although it's been a long time now, perhaps his experience in calling could aid the team. Another idea I had was Xeta, but he's retired now and I'm not sure if he has enlisted yet nor if he has the passion to play atm but I feel like he would slot in quite nicely and also serve as an interim translator for Zest + already lives in Korea.

Benkai (SG): Sentinel/IGL
sScary (TH): Controller
Zest (KR): Recon/Viper
garnetS (TH): Duelist
JayH(SG), retlA (SG), Xeta (IGL, KR)

Just some ideas.

BLEED GarnetS is the biggest possible shout. His English is decent as well and I've been pushing for this roster move all season. Governor is similar to garnetS and meshes well with ban. I believe garnetS already trialed for TALON but he didn't like Frost's attitude (I guess it was vice versa too).

Keep RUSS and LF and perhaps Benkai. Their macro game looks decent and RUSS has been shooting decently I can't lie.

Wait, the win today was with Estrella?, I thought xferro was IGL.

Honestly, I think that sScary and Crazyguy can squash the beef. Both are professionals, Crazyguy has been around a long time while sScary is very professional and results based and also they qualified to Tier 1 together for god sake. Perhaps under leadership from a new coach, things will look better. sScary has trialed the IGL role and failed, so if his pre-existing mindset was "I can do better" it has definitely been shattered now and perhaps he'd be more open to criticism and sharing ideas.

Again, we're outsiders, we don't know how deep the issues lie. Personally, I think while Crazyguy isn't an outstanding IGL, he is definitely a vibe booster and motivational and I like him personally. If the issues lies moreso with Yay, then I'm glad and from the few clips of his watch party it does seem that way a little more.

Again, if any Viet fans don't know, sScary has never explicitly shit talked or bad mouthed any of his teammates including Crazyguy and Egoist, he states matter-of-factly that there were internal issues of the team where an attempt was made to be fixed but it didn't work out.

Riza is decent but doesnt his roles conflict with Zest who is a new signing? I don't think they'd drop Zest unless he decides to leave on his own accord. I already posted on reddit but a roster I have in mind. Also, how is YesICan's English? I was decently impressed when I saw FANCY play in Ascension and YesICan was the IGL I think and he seemed to be putting up numbers too. Perhaps he's inexperienced but could be worth a try? I don't know if they'd manage to get any Thai IGLs who speak good English (Perhaps PTC could work, but he is doing well on FULLSENSE).

sScary: Controller
Zest: Recon/Viper
garnetS: Duelist
Egoist: Sentinel
Flex IGL (Could be imported).
Deryeon (6th man, double duelist if required)

Honestly, Jessi's IGLing seems solid and he seems to be shooting decently for the most part (we don't talk about that game)
NDG has been improving but he still looks unconfident a lot of the time and whiffs easy shots but his lurks on sunset were very good.

-BORKUM

Is something I'd start with and then perhaps a new youngster you can slowly phase in.

Don't disrespect the GOAT.

sScary scouted, crafted and molded Surf from the ranked ladder, the real fix for BLEED is to +Surf and re-unite the lad with his beloved brother or return sScary to TALON though JItboys is cooking too hard on this smokes role I can't lie (But he cooks on every role cause he's just the fucking best).

That will change once cloning exists and we can get a team of 5 forsaken's. World beaters, world dominators, world destroyers.

1. Forsak3n (Bro is just good at everything)
2. Aspas (Duelist GOAT)
3. Johnqt (IGL that can absolutely frag)

He's good. Might need an attitude check as with many young Thai players but I believe that if he is put on a team with experienced players cough cough TALON ~ insane things will happen.

Try this drink:

Water

Governor, Jitboys and Ban need to lock in and play their best game. Crws has to at least counter-strat and call good midrounds if they want to win. Surf, my boy looks lost half the time, but he's improving.

Overall, team has potential but biggest issues lie within communication and language barriers within the team.

But who actually cares about EMEA though?

TLN tops the group, I was being generous only considering them top 5, the reality is they are TOP 1. The loss they took against GEN.G and the close games they had were just for dramatic effect. I'll see you in the playoffs buddy.