https://x.com/anonimotum/status/2033636452685303926?s=20

It is still diabolical that they made VCT in the first place, since there were claims of payment issues prior to them promoting.
This is an enormous failure from riot.

I don't mind it, xross had so much impact but dambi defines the teams playstyle.

Currently the highest rated performances at an international event (min 150 rounds) is Tenz at Masters Reykjavík 2021 with a 1.35.
Right now, Marteen is averaging a 1.46 with 148 rounds played.

Here's the top 100 performances pre-santiago:
https://www.vlr.gg/625887/highest-rated-international-performances/#1

Both Furia and BBL could've held their heads high regardless of the result, having played two competitive series against top opposition.
Obviously it's disappointing not to continue but it's now just the question of building upon this experience and going forward in London.

Goldfish memory or bait?

Yeah i could see it happening.
All the games seem close / leaning towards the lower seed.

2023: Probably SAW just because we never got to see a Portuguese team reach those heights ever again.
2024: Apeks, it was the team I watched the most. Watching Kaajak was fun and they had some creative ideas with comps.

I kinda stopped being engaged with Tier 2 after that.
The whole scene just felt too disconnected with Tier 1 and the reward for getting promoted in EMEA felt so weak.
The ascended teams got ripped apart or fell at the first hurdle.
The good Tier 2 teams would steamroll through their domestic leagues for 6 months whilst waiting for ascension, it just felt meaningless.

If KPI 2024 were able to run it back for 2025, whats odds would you give them for winning ascension?

Using VLR's R 2.0 , over 150 rounds to be eligible.
- Not including Masters Shanghai 2024, as data wasn't accessible.
- Data from VLR, 2 dp.

1 TenZ | ICELAND 2021 | rating: 1.35
2 aspas | CHAMPS 2025 | rating: 1.33
3 yay | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.33
4 Alfajer | TOKYO 2023 | rating: 1.33
5 Shao | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.32
6 Leo | TOKYO 2023 | rating: 1.31
7 kiNgg | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.31
8 yay | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.3
9 Leo | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.3
10 MaKo | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.29
11 N4RRATE | MADRID 2024 | rating: 1.29
12 MaKo | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.28
13 Derke | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.28
14 Demon1 | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.26
15 nAts | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.26
16 Chronicle | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.26
17 TenZ | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.25
18 cNed | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.24
19 CHICHOO | BANGKOK 2025 | rating: 1.23
20 Leo | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.23
21 t3xture | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.23
22 trexx | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.23
23 Derke | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.22
24 Derke | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.22
25 Alfajer | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.22
26 Less | MADRID 2024 | rating: 1.22
27 Sayf | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.22
28 ScreaM | ICELAND 2021 | rating: 1.22
29 pANcada | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.21
30 trent | BANGKOK 2025 | rating: 1.21
31 Spring | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.21
32 Chronicle | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.21
33 tuyz | MADRID 2024 | rating: 1.21
34 nAts | BANGKOK 2025 | rating: 1.21
35 ScreaM | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.2
36 crashies | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.2
37 Shao | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.19
38 yay | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.19
39 Less | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.19
40 Chronicle | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.19
41 leaf | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.19
42 Chronicle | TOKYO 2023 | rating: 1.19
43 ShahZaM | ICELAND 2021 | rating: 1.19
44 yay | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.19
45 CHICHOO | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.18
46 Shao | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.18
47 keloqz | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.18
48 aspas | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.18
49 Derke | BANGKOK 2025 | rating: 1.18
50 Zyppan | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.18
51 keznit | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.18
52 crashies | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.18
53 Alfajer | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.17
54 RieNs | CHAMPS 2025 | rating: 1.17
55 zekken | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.17
56 trent | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.17
57 ScreaM | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.17
58 Meteor | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.17
59 Marved | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.16
60 yay | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.16
61 brawk | CHAMPS 2025 | rating: 1.16
62 Less | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.16
63 Cryocells | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.16
64 trexx | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.16
65 Leo | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.16
66 MrFaliN | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.16
67 nitr0 | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.16
68 ardiis | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.15
69 RieNs | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.15
70 aspas | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.15
71 kaajak | CHAMPS 2025 | rating: 1.15
72 SugarZ3ro | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.15
73 zekken | MADRID 2024 | rating: 1.15
74 ZmjjKK | TOKYO 2023 | rating: 1.15
75 cNed | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.15
76 nukkye | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.15
77 Rb | TOKYO 2023 | rating: 1.15
78 Lakia | ICELAND 2021 | rating: 1.15
79 leaf | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.15
80 Cloud | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.15
81 foxz | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.15
82 Less | CHAMPS 2023 | rating: 1.14
83 Smoggy | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.14
84 MaKo | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.14
85 aspas | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.14
86 SUYGETSU | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.14
87 sheydos | BERLIN 2021 | rating: 1.14
88 zeek | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.14
89 ShahZaM | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.14
90 L1NK | ICELAND 2021 | rating: 1.14
91 dispenser | CHAMPS 2021 | rating: 1.14
92 sScary | ICELAND 2022 | rating: 1.14
93 t3xture | CHAMPS 2024 | rating: 1.14
94 iZu | BANGKOK 2025 | rating: 1.13
95 Chronicle | TORONTO 2025 | rating: 1.13
96 Sacy | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.13
97 SUYGETSU | CHAMPS 2022 | rating: 1.13
98 s0m | TOKYO 2023 | rating: 1.13
99 Derke | LOCKIN 2023 | rating: 1.13
100 MaKo | COPENHAGEN 2022 | rating: 1.13

Compile all the VLR data/stats for each international event into spreadsheets/tables.
Use a data visualisation / query tool to calculate the values.
It's mostly just COUNT / SUM of values, so you could do it in excel.

16 International events so far:
-Assuming all qualified players play at Masters Santiago
-Data from VLR

Appearances at international events:
16:
15:
14:
13: d4v41, f0rsakeN
12: Boaster, BuZz
11: Jinggg, MaKo, Munchkin, stax
10: aspas, CHICHOO, crashies, Derke, mindfreak, nobody, Smoggy, ZmjjKK
9: Alfajer, Chronicle, Mazino, nAts, Rb, saadhak
8: FiNESSE, leaf, Less, Meteor, NagZ, Sacy, Victor, zekken
7: cNed, Crws, Jamppi, jawgemo, keznit, Klaus, something, soulcas, trent, valyn, Zellsis
6: bang, Boo, delz1k, Ethan, foxz, Haodong, JonahP, Lakia, Lysoar, Sayf, Sushiboys, TenZ, yay, Zest
5: AAAAY, ANGE1, ardiis, AtaKaptan, benjyfishy, Benkai, BerLIN, C0M, carpe, cauanzin, crow, johnqt, kiNgg, Laz, Leo, Life, Marved, Melser, MiniBoo, Mistic, MrFaliN, paTiTek, qRaxs, Redgar, RieNs, Sayaplayer, ScreaM, Shao, sScary, SUYGETSU, t3xture, trexx, Zyppan
4: Asuna, ban, Boostio, Cryocells, Dep, heat, iZu, kamo, Karon, Keiko, Knight, MAGNUM, Monyet, N4RRATE, Nivera, nukkye, pANcada, Quick, s0m, Shyy, starxo, SugarZ3ro, TENNN, tuyz, whzy, Wo0t, xeta, xffero
3: artzin, Autumn, AvovA, AYRIN, Bazzi, BcJ, BeYN, Biank, BONECOLD, Cloud, dapr, Demon1, dephh, doma, Enzo, Flashback, Foxy9, frz, happywei, hoody, k1Ng, Khalil, koldamenta, L1NK, mazin, Medusa, Mixwell, MOJJ, murizzz, nephh, neth, nizhaoTZH, nzr, qw1, Rarga, ShahZaM, sheydos, SicK, Surf, Tacolilla, vanity, xand, Yuicaw, zeek, zombs
2: ade, adverso, bnj, BORKUM, Brave, brawk, ceNder, coconut, cortezia, crazyguy, d3ffo, DaveeyS, Derrek, dgzin, DubsteP, eeiu, FengF, Fisker, Fit1nho, fl1pzjder, Flex1n, free1ng, gtn, heybay, HYUNMIN, icy, invy, Jemkin, JessieVash, JhoW, JitBoyS, kaajak, Kai, keloqz, Kicks, Kiles, Kushy, Levius, LuoK1ng, mada, marteen, mwzera, Nicc, NoMan, Patiphan, PatMen, penny, Reita, rhyme, rushia, russ, S1Mon, sh1n, skuba, stellar, Suggest, sutecas, takej, tex, Turko, v1xen, Verno, Viva, xenom, Xeppaa, xnfri, yetujey, Yosemite
1: 2ge, Akeman, allow, alym, Anthem, ara, Ash, AsLanM4shadoW, au1, axeddy, babybay, barce, BerserX, bezn1, bipo, BlackWiz, blaZek1ng, Bunny, bunt, cb, cgrs, crewen, dambi, deNaro, Derialy, Destrian, DH, dimasick, dispenser, effys, Efina, EJAY, eKo, Emman, Esperanza, f4ngeer, Famouz, fiveK, Flickless, fra, francis, gaabxx, garnetS, glyph, Governor, grubinho, H1ber, hfmi0dzjc9z7, Hiko, hiro, iamgrq, ivy, Izzy, jammyz, Jieni7, JohnOlsen, Jonn, JoXJo, Jremy, Juicy, jzz, k1ra, kamyk, koalanoob, krain, Kryptix, LAMMYSNAX, lar0k, liazzi, light, Lmemore, loita, lovers rock, makiba, Meddo, Midi, minny, mitch, MOLSI, monk, mta, Myssen, nerve, neT, Newzera, nitr0, ntk, pAura, peri, pleets, primmie, prozin, PTC, purp0, QutionerX, RgLMeister, rin, rion, rose, Rossy, runneR, SantaGolf, Secret, SEIDER, Seoldam, Serial, shiba, shion, Shion7, shr1mp, SiuFatBB, SkRossi, solo, SouhcNi, SpiritZ1, Spring, steel, SuperBusS, Sylvan, tomaszy, TS, TvirusLuke, Twisten, vo0kashu, wayne, westside, Will, Witz, Wolfen, wsleo, xccurate, xms, xross, YHchen, YuChEn, zepher, zunba

Most rounds played (might have some slight discrepancies):
3294: Crashies
3277: Boaster
2908: Mako
2886: F0rsaken, d4v41

Most Kills (might have some slight discrepancies):
2258: Buzz
2224: Aspas
2219: Derke
2210: Crashies
2150: f0rsaken

Player(s) who played at both Master Reykjavik 2021 and Santiago 2026
Munchkin.

Longest active international event streak:
6: Shanghai 2024, Champs 2024, Bangkok 2025, Toronto 2025, Champs 2025, Santiago 2026
Valyn, Trent, leaf

I agree, qualifications games should've been spread across different weeks.
The format was good though, none of these "seeding" final nonsense.

nAts is just timeless.

It's an issue with the esports community at large ngl.
Personality is shunned.

It's what happens when you give onur the keys.

Both Kaajak and alfajer can completely take over games, which was evident last year.
Alfajer in particular has had cold streaks, where he is still good just not elite.
I just believe that nrg have more players that could fill that star power void when required.

It has felt to me that fnatic's star power has weakened over the years.
Veqaj and crashies are good stable pieces, but if Kaajak and alfajer aren't performing I don't see that void being filled.

BBL/m8 i've liked, but experience plays a big factor internationally.
Which is what puts mibr and nrg above them.

RRQ, it's been pretty comfortable so far.
Their 2025 was great, just not internationally, which provides some evidence for their longevity.
Although it could all just be a repeat of 2025, hopefully not though.

Sen look worse because they play in americas, a lot of close losses.
If they were in EMEA they could probably flip those losses into wins and have time to improve and go deeper.
#UnfortunateTruth.

+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+
| RANKING | EMEA              | AMERICAS       | PACIFIC            |
+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+
| ELITE   |                   | MIBR, NRG      | RRQ                |
+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+
| GREAT   | M8, BBL, FNC, VIT | FURIA, G2      | NS, T1, PRX, DFM   |
+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+
| GOOD    | TH, TL, NAVI      | 100T, LEV, SEN | FS, DRX, GE        |
+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+
| MID     | GX, ULF, KC       | EG, C9         | GENG, ZETA, VARREL |
+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+
| BAD     | FUT, PCIFIC       | LOUD , NV      | TS                 |
+---------+-------------------+----------------+--------------------+

Rough opinion of each region's depth of quality.

+---------+------+----------+---------+
| Ranking | EMEA | AMERICAS | PACIFIC |
+---------+------+----------+---------+
| Elite   |    0 |        2 |       1 |
+---------+------+----------+---------+
| Great   |    4 |        2 |       4 |
+---------+------+----------+---------+
| Good    |    3 |        3 |       3 |
+---------+------+----------+---------+
| Mid     |    3 |        2 |       3 |
+---------+------+----------+---------+
| Bad     |    2 |        2 |       1 |
+---------+------+----------+---------+

1). Didn't include china, since I havent watched enough games to understand the region strength.
2). Didn't include KRU, not exactly fair to judge them based on a sub roster.

Great game. ggwp

Point 2 contradicts with 3 and 4.
What is the point in importing an IGL if they can't speak a language they are comfortable with?
If a head coach cannot actively hear and understand what is being said during the rounds, his value is also weakened.
You could probably still get some strategically advantage with having imported analyst / strat coach.

The VLR rating calculation already works like that.

https://x.com/mousesports/status/2001661981078544857?s=20

After 3 years in the scene, Mouz have announced their exit from valorant.
Most recently, they had won split 3 of VCL DACH qualfying for VCL EMEA Stage 3 with them finishing in a respectable 5-8th.

With the future of Fokus Valorant, a corner stone of the DACH scene, currently hanging in the balance, what DACH valorant will look like in 2026 is unknown.
https://x.com/FOKUSValorant/status/1981661976750354855?s=20

https://www.sheepesports.com/en/articles/sources-valorant-seven-set-to-join-pcific-for-vct-emea-2026-season/en

PCIFIC have been going on an interesting direction this off season.
Seven is probably one of the best flexs available.

Sure..?.. but for a player like Derrek there isn''t really an incentive to rush into a tier 2 team like this (Which is likely to be unsalaried).

Derrek: Too many initiator IGLs, hence why a player of eeiu's calibre can end up on furia.

Off season tournaments are often misleading.
Mainly due to differences in format, environment, motivation and most importantly the meta (Which often changes just before the season).

I believe most of your opinions should be formed outside of the offseason results although I can understand tweaking things slightly.

I've heard sheydos will be igling, which was surprising to me. Although the pickup makes a lot more sense now (especially with the engh link).
If avez and dos9 can perform at a strong level then I can definitely see KC push their way up.

I appreciate the high praise.

S:
A: TH, FNC, VIT
B: TL, GX, NAVI, BBL
C: KC
D: M8, FUT
Unranked: PCIFIC, ULF

--------------------------------------------
Fnatic: slight downgrade (it was impossible to replace a player of chronicles calibre that quickly). The success of this team will live and die by alfa's performances, at his best he's uncontainable.
Heretics: Comeback is a top duelist player, just need to see a bit more consistent and reliable output from the likes of Benjy/wo0t/boo. Riens is still the best initiator in the world.
Vitality: On paper its an incredible lineup, doesn't seem to have the issues prior "super team failures" had. (actually picked up an established structure from bbl). For now, I will be reserved.

Team Liquid: Might be the most interesting lineup. nAts has risen into a good leader and there is a lot of firepower around him. Purp0 didn't perform that well in GiantX but was always a monster in tier 2. Wayne is a fragger but he has big boots to fill.
GiantX: Lowkey, I think they might have peaked with this 5. But they'll still perform at a strong competitive level, just won't peak as high or as low.
NAVI: The firepower on this roster is still ridiculous, although the questions around the IGL still remain.
BBL: Arguably the best "actual" tier 2 team ever? They kinda felt untested last year, so i'm feeling a bit reserved of their standing.

KC: Really hard to place this team, it has shades of KC 2024 and that team was inconsistently great. Lewn is an underrated pickup, he is a proper space making duelist which could unlock sheydos and dos9. Maybe engh doeshas another trick up his sleeve?

M8: This feels like if GE built an EMEA roster. If they can get the ball rolling then they could achieve something. Minny off IGL is a good start.
FUT: The team has been trending down. They've missed the boat on the next big Turkish talents.

BBL Academy: Can't rank because they don't have a roster.
Unpaid Labour Force: Still waiting for them to decide on the s0pp/echo replacements but the core is really underrated.

thoughts?

If primmie or invy is available... it's an opportunity they can't miss.

Either way they were not getting paid.

I'd expect riot will blame the lack of a domestic TO as the reasoning for the shutdown.
It was ridiculous that riot let LPL organise the region for as long as they did.

The main question is what even goes on during these riot games background checks?
Delayed payments in another riot esports seems like very obvious grounds to deny entry to the league.

Cool to see TL get revenge for GCC 2023.
(aswell as Jelly getting revenge for GCC 2024)

Dodonut that is insane impact on the last round.

They've become a really nice casting partnership.

I think Mimi is a lot better suited to doing colour casting (the more analytical bits between rounds, which is what she is doing now)
She had done a bit of play by play casting in the past but some of the hype moments felt a bit too strenuous for her.

I've been enjoying Enders play by play work this event quite a lot.
And as a duo they are flowing off each others points well.

Currently:
Americas 4 slots.
EMEA 3 slots.
APAC 2 slots
CN 1 slot.

Riot doesnt prioritise meritocracy, rather they prefer diversity. This has always been the case, even before franchising. I don't think riot will change their philosophy.

Jamelinho is a great pick up as well.

It's incredibly corny, the whole putting valorant down to appease CS fans is so tiresome.
I know its all engagement bait but still, if you are arguing with random fans in the comments you're just digging yourself in a hole.

Although they aren't "burning bridges with riot" because riot barely care about the tier 2 organisations.
You can’t burn a bridge that was never there to begin with.

🚨⚠️🚨 This was a drill.

It's a bit of a shame, I think he could've played in tier 1 as a controller.

Is that the Barca roster finished then? It looks decent.
Fit1nho - Guardy - Stonezy - Kajuks - Globex?

We are in this weird predicament, where an org was promoted based on competitive merit and has had their entire roster poached.
I don't think (afaik) its actually against the rules to not retain a roster as the promoted team, as the rules are largely in the favour of the orgs rather than the players.

The main "issue" people are having lies with the affiliate relationship between PCIFIC and BBL.
When an affiliate team wins, or is otherwise promoted to the vct, the relationship between the team entity (VCT Partnered Org) and the affiliate team must be terminated.

What makes this interesting is the insistence of the PCIFIC players to stay together, either on PCIFIC on another partnered team.
Certain players like Lar0k and Loita were gaining interest with other VCT teams, but were there any other VCT teams (outside of BBL) that were willing to sign the entire PCIFIC roster?

If Riot deems this as a breach of the roster construction rules due to the failure to terminate the relationship between the orgs, could we see riot block the roster move?
Riot has blocked roster moves before such as Twisten to Guild and KennyS to OG (due to contractual reasons).
BBL could instead be fined, or we could see the repercussions during the new era of partnerships

Now what happens with PCIFIC?
Well if Riot deems them as a eligible guest team they will have to rebuild from scratch.
Awkwardly, with how bad the ascension format was for EMEA there is no distinctive 3rd best team as Mandatory and DNSTY never got to play against each other.
So in the instance that Riot do not deem Pcific as eligible its likely that riot would select a team based on another selection process.

This is all speculation and an incredible odd situation for riot to be in.

It's a farce and another example of the flaws of the ascension system.
There's not really a point of promoting a team based on competitive merit if they can be stripped of the merit like this.

That last round was so silly omg haha

If they wanted to go full Indo, they shouldn't have sold splash.

FUT
BBL (assuming they get a Turkish core)
ULF
PCIFIC (assuming they win tomorrow)
TH (Turkish core)

Spear 🙏
But he might not be obtainable since he just signed with ef.

Isn't he just a substitute at the moment?
But yeah I agree, the timing of the leak/report is pretty bad.
Although Nbs already had reports linking him to 100t already.