Pretty much from the beginning tbh. Although I didn't keep up during the offseason. I was pleasantly surprised to see Governor and Ban both on a franchise team when I checked each roster.

I like it when there are a bunch of different personalities in an esport. So I don't really dislike EG and their ego, especially as a team that came from the bottom up where they were mocked yet constantly proved everyone wrong. It would be fun to watch them be humbled, as long as the match is a banger.

Although I haven't really been following Valorant closely so I don't really know how much they talk, I've only seen snippets.

Ardiis (1) 1
Saadhak (3) 4
Crashies (3) 7
Suygetsu (3) 10
MaKo (5) 15

If I really wanted to I feel like I could probably make this a lot better, like maybe getting Boaster/Ange1 instead and improving other roles, but I'm alright with this.

I'm proud of you!! She sounds great and very kind. Hope your second date goes even better my friend.

I don't think I've seen people underestimate Liquid. we've been more focused on the alpha bracket tbh. But I think most people respect Liquid and are waiting to see what the roster can do.

Like Jett all the way back in the beginning lol.

It's not dogshit, although its defense ability is lacking. It can work well in certain maps and certain comps. But yeah it's been fun seeing new stuff.

I 100% agree. It's not a one team region anymore, that being said we need results too. Pacific is showing promise, and we're improving overall. I'm happy with that for now. Our time will come.

I remember Brazilian fans were clamoring for a tournament to be held in Brazil, saying they'd show us all what a real crowd looked like. What real passion looks like. Maybe the external factors people were talking about earlier is affecting it.

all good. We learn from our mistakes. In the end we came out on top. Time to get back in the kitchen.

he thinks he's on the team

it's sad, but we still have to prove we as a whole region can be consistently competitive on the world stage to earn that right.

Yeah, I'm not counting out PRX. I was just very disappointed because I thought a tournament like this is one where they would thrive, where unpredictability is a great strength and counterstratting is nigh impossible. But they got knocked out immediately.

good for Americas, bad for NA vs EMEA rivalry lol.

Yeah, that's true. But LOUD were the ones to ultimately win the whole thing. It doesn't mean Zeta are insane, just don't count them out yet.

Is it NA having three slots or Americas as a whole?

I know it's unlikely and I'm not counting out LOUD. I'm just saying what I want to see in the grand finals. Trust me, I'm a DRX fan, it's difficult to be delusional after their history.

Maybe. Talon, DRX, Gen. G. I'd still count Zeta though. They just got super unlucky having to face Loud twice in groups last champions.

I dunno, it's still early and LOUD are phoenixes. Plus there are monsters in the other bracket too. I hope so though. So far it's been one step at a time.

I know it's unlikely, but I really really want to see Foxy9 against TenZ. I know Foxy9 probably isn't ready and Sen haven't even made it through yet, but seeing Foxy9 play against his idol and possibly beat him would be an insane script.

damn, that's great. I'm super happy for him. I've always been rooting for him since 2021 with Vision Strikers. It made me sad when they parted ways, but he and DRX team still seem to be close/in good standing. I want to watch the match but I don't think I can bear seeing my Korean brethren lose so maybe after my heart has calmed down.

Agreed! DFM was sad but overall it's been great. Hopefully DFM pulls themselves to a respectable standing for xnfri's sake.

I'm assuming you mean K1ng from Gen. G. I don't think I got to watch that match fully, how well did K1ng do?

Yeah I really wanted to see NRG vs DRX too. It was one of the match ups I wanted the most. But both LOUD and NRG played their hearts out today, LOUD absolutely deserve to be here. Maybe another day it would've gone the other way but not today. The rivalry still goes strong.

yeah, the only thing I was surprised about was the lack of upsets considering how much more gimmicks can be effective because of the lack of vods and stuff. But there's still the other bracket so.

yeah I agree. I don't know a lot about what's going on aside the gameplay, so I'm just going off matches alone.

The thing about Mako is that he is so damn consistently good. Not only does he have super high highs, but the guy doesn't have low lows either. He is the new bar that controllers need to bypass in order to be considered the world's greatest.

External conditions aside, I've been loving Lock In. There are so many good teams and it's super fun to see them playing again. The return of old giants, the emergence of a phoenix in Loud, and the rise of the next generation. BBL, Gen. G, Talon, and other teams have exceeded expectations and have shown promise. Doubted players like S0m have had incredible debuts.

Yes, the format is brutal, and it sucks to see teams go out this way, but the goal of lock in was to showcase the new teams. And I think that that is going exceptionally well. Lock in, with that objective in mind alone, has been a success thus far.

GGs Talon, y'all are awesome and I love seeing Pacific rise. Loud vs NRG was nail biter, sucks to see NRG lose since I was rooting for s0m, but it was a super fun match so I can't really be sad. We got to see terrific valorant, and I'm excited for what's to come in the future, franchise and ascension.

What do you guys think?

what the hell is happening

I kind of agree with you. DRX is from a weaker region and they scrim weaker teams, but that doesn't mean they don't have a chance regardless of the changes they make. Nor is using regions an excuse for DRX's failure. They should be playing better. I don't fault them for losing against C9 but they shouldn't be playing that poorly. America is definitely looking dominant this tournament though. That's undeniable.

I really hope so but DRX has broken my spirit lmao. C9 are a good team, I don't fault them for losing to them, but I want to see good valorant out of them not whatever bullshit I saw last map.

You're right, but they have worked on being more flexible. After changing from Zest igl to Stax igl they became more adaptive and began incorporating rotations a lot more in their strats. It's not where they need to be, and Stax himself said it in Yinsu's interview (about the team as a whole not being where they need to be yet), but I know they won't stop working.

I'm not going to make any predictions on DRX. What happens will happen, I'm not going to get my hopes up but I will always root for them in the present, no matter what.

I feel your pain. It sucks seeing history repeat itself over and over again, and us as observers without a ton of information about what's going on inside only makes us more passionate yet frustrated. Games not over yet but DRX desperately need to learn how to deal with America's play styles.

DRX made a lot of mistakes, and don't get me wrong there were plenty of heroics. That being said C9 just straight up outplayed and out dueled DRX. They had a better game plan and that's obvious to see looking at the scoreline.

GG that was a good map from C9. They were just better and had a superior game plan. Worrying for DRX, but it's not a feeling us DRX fans are unused too. It's really exciting to see all these new teams coming into the event. Americas especially are looking super strong, with Loud, NRG, C9, and even EG. It makes me excited to see LEV play. I hope DRX bring it back, but if not I'd still be happy to see Yay finding success on a new team. Good luck to both teams next map, hopefully DRX put up a fight though, I want to see good valorant on both sides.

That was a super fun game. BBL did great and DRX got pushed but still looked impressive. Props to BBL, their future is bright and they did well. I’m not sure it should mean DRX are weaker than we thought but rather BBL are a lot better than people gave them credit for. GGs, massive respect to both teams.

yeah, and it's incredible that after all these years he's beginning to feel in his hand again, physical therapy or not. It's the Return of the King. Of course I don't want to place too much pressure on him but still it's hard not to be inspired, besides I'm sure if there's anyone pushing him the hardest, it's himself.

https://twitter.com/POISEDFPS/status/1615836006502080517?cxt=HHwWioC97a2SzewsAAAA

What a gigachad. It must have been immeasurably frustrating. I don't really have special words to say, but I can say that I know that if this didn't stop him, little else will. Much respect.

Agreed, all eyes are on them, fan or hater.

Zeta is good too, they were just super unlucky and were forced to play Loud twice in groups. Still that loss to Talon is concerning, but yeah I wouldn't be surprised if they do pretty well in the future.

Rough beginnings but I won't count them out yet. Xeta, Munchkin, and Sayaplayer are amazing. Carpe needs experience and game sense and the team needs to change roles and gain chemistry. But if not, they'll be at the bottom of the barrel, worse than ascension teams.

To be honest, I'm actually really looking forward to seeing GE play. Them and Detonation (because of Xnfri and I want to see Seoldam play like how he used to, as improbable as that may be) and Gen G. But yeah I'll definitely be keeping an eye on GE, as it'll be fun regardless of what happens.

yep, hopefully they learn from this because they really need it. I'm glad they got Carpe some real game experience though. I trust Autumn, but still this is a rough start lmao.

Yeah, I completely agree. Their aimed bailed them out a lot today but I feel like it should be Ban on a type of initiator role and Munchkin... well he can play anything but I feel like smokes may suit him better. Oh well...

lookin rough for APAC but at least we have DRX, PRX, and Zeta.

I know this match isn't really important, but T1 is not great. I'm sure they'll get better over time as they gain chemistry and Carpe gets more experience, but I don't think they'll be so good that they're in the upper tier of franchise teams, at least not with this iteration of the roster. Hopefully they prove me wrong. I wish they signed Sylvan and Ssun, or some other Korean talent rather than going for Carpe. BeomJun is just an unknown but I don't really have high hopes. Plus, their roles are weird and I feel they could adjust in ways that fit the team better. I could be completely wrong, I'm not a coach and I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, nor am I great analytically. Just disappointed I guess. I'll always root for them but I suppose I should prepare my heart.

Now that’d be a fun roster.

I watched you change your flair to T1, then I see you change your flag to Korea lmao. Welcome to SK I guess.

It's probably more convenient for Riot. They should already have facilities and resources in Korea. I'm sure there are many reasons.

who cares about what other people think of you lol. But if it's genuinely more fun for you to put all of your investment into one team then I'd choose the one that's easiest for you to follow. Language, timezone, streams, etc.

I personally will tell you PRX because I'm going to support Asia. If I were to rank them I'd say PRX, then Liquid, then Karmine Corp.