Most teams yeah. I think C9 is slightly different with Leaf being Jett and also Viper or whatever while Xeppa goes from Kayo to Raze. Also, Optic for example are trying to use Yay on Chamber instead of Jett with pretty mixed results.

Yeah which is why I didn't pred them winning. I firmly believe V1 and C9 will win out this tourney, but I think the Guard could be the best in time.

The thing is, tenz is capable of single handedly winning maps for Sen even currently (look at Fracture vs Optic). Although if it doesn't happen constantly, and his dips are quite a bit more than someone like Yay I'd say, his fragging ability can't be ignored and is a big part of what could make Sen world class again. The big way to make tenz's inconsistancy negligable is to have a team with util combos and strats that don't completely rely on him (aka part of having more structure). Previous Sen was able to win even when Tenz wasn't popping becuase somone else would clutch and frag. Obviously that's not possible in the current state because valorant has become more team oriented, and an individual can't do everything.

That being said, I do agree that tenz needs to be able to recognize when he's not at his best and play more withdrawn (think how Penny goes from agressive to disciplined depending on what's needed and how Zellsis and Effys set him up perfectly). Sen also needs to not rely on him getting entry frags every damn round. If we look at Haven vs V1 (where a lot of the hate for him is coming from atm), he was expected to just dash onto a site by himself with no supporting utility, and while that sometimes works becuase he's cracked, it wasn't working today and Sen had no solution.

Honestly probably true, 'specially on lan

last part is unlikely, I don't think they've even hired a coach yet

Facts. Trent + Saya are gonna diff TenZ and Shaz

They just need structure. Because they were so dominant earlier, they likely still feel that they can get away with playing loosely, but that's really not the case anymore. Pro valorant has evolved, and while I definitely think they have the potential as individuals to be on top again, that'll only happen when they 1. Get a fantastic coach they'll listen to, and 2. Put in the hours, get their coordination, teamwork, and utility usage on point, and scrim constantly. Sadly this is only going to happen if they throw aside their egos, accept that they're not the shit anymore, and get to work, which feels kind of unlikey for this team.

Helps!

I wouldn't say V1 is lacking in discipline, far from it tbh

I'd say Optic are close to if not at the Guard's level atm. It's true they have the disadvantage of a typically underfragging igl, but that gets balanced out by Yay and Victor most times, and they almost ALWAYS dominate their opponents map pic. If they could prep as well on their own map, I bet they'd 2-0 a bunch more teams.

This is a cool idea but please use more punctuation. PLEASE. Anyway, I genuinely think that V1 and C9 have what it takes in terms of strats to stand up to Fnatic and Guild. Add in some crazy individual performances, and I think there's a very real chance they could win masters. And yes, Gambit looked dominant for the first match we saw them, but I don't know how the whole war is going to affect their mental + prac time (or if they'll be able to play at all), so I'm not including them for the time being.

LMFAOOOO SEN AND XSET BEATING C9??? Off the goop

First of all, you're bronze max. Second, who tf let you think that hating on people for their bodies is acceptable??

I mean with the meta change, yeah. In the last patch, V1 and C9 were basically givens

I believe they're allowing it with their CSGO roster, so I can't imagine they'd prevent their Valorant roster from doing the same.

Lmao and then that last map

Ikr what even is going on here

Uh huh

WE OUT HERE

I'd argue V1 has equal teamwork, but also in this specific round of C9 vs Guard it WAS a big aim diff. Guard had some great tactics as always but really just won out in every duel.

Man's just asking for a very deserved ban

Anyone who says soy or cuck does not deserve thought.

Agreed but I think V1 or C9 is better than SMB or BBL LOL

What on earth are these suggestions

Yeah but V1 or Optic are prolly gonna get one of em

Nah xeta won't diff trent, but leaf and xeppa + vanity strats are sure to carry here. As a big guard fan, I think they still need more time before they're quite C9's level.

They were one sided becuase one team was doing something INSANELY well, not beacuse their opponents were just fumbling. That makes a really good game. Plus we got a yay pop off third map.

Work on their teamwork and set plays really. They need more rehearsed ways of playing of each other, which only comes with practice.

Mild L

I think Optic vs V1 was the best lol. Maybe Guard vs C9 will be equally as good

V1 for SURE, Guard probably

Exactly my list lol. Except I put V1 in front of Guard

C9
Optic
V1
Guard
Sen
XSet

I can't believe XSet is better than guard tho. They've lost to them twice in a row.

Trenttttttt

I'll believe it when I see it

I genuinely think if OpTic were in their Ascent map against V1 form for an entire series, they could crush any team (gambit, liquid, and ascend included).

I thought you were saying to ban jett diffs for a sec lmao

Wouldn't say era but C9 are looking goooood rn. Optic have apparently been smashing in scrims tho

Good take. I'd say Yay is also up there with a decent performance at all events and an INSANE peak at masters berlin. He was able to hard carry NV to the finals just by getting a 3k every other round.

Yup and I'm one of them. Saw them beat t1 in that pre-VCT match and was a fan ever since. Trent, Saya, and Valyn are just so good and are improving so fast. I don't think they're as good as Gambit or C9 yet, but I think they definitely could be before the year is up.

Great stuff love it

He always was bad at first but then went insane near the end. Still not that consistent though.

Cryo hasn't proved himself internationally yet. Heat DEFINITELY has, that guy's crazy

Kinda facts

And by lord I mean Trent

Doing the lord's work

I think Optic showed a bunch of issues in this series against Sen just like FNS said, so V1 win unless they get experienced diffed. Plus, in the head to head comparison, even though Penny isn't quite Yay level, Zander's a LOT better than FNS mechanically.

Pretty good list ngl

I would say Optic is looking better than the Guard rn (especially factoring scrim bucks where they crushed C9 and the Guard), but I think the Guard has a higher skill ceiling long term. They're all really young players and have improved drastically since the open qual.