Cover-Credits:
It has barely been a week since The International 2022 (TI11) concluded, yet the post-TI roster shuffle season continues to surprise people. The latest in this shuffle is RNG support Yap "xNova" Jian Wei leaving RNG in an effort to find a new team for the upcoming season. xNova had a decent season with RNG, as the team performed well throughout the DPC season. However, the team’s performance was lacking at LAN events, as it only managed to achieve a top twelve finish at the Arlington Major & a top 16 finish at TI11.
With Lu "Somnus" Yao apparently announcing his retirement, many believed that the players would go their separate ways after TI11.
xNova looks for a new team after his stint with RNG comes to an end.
Despite a heartbreaking 1 hour 47 minute loss against Entity at the TI11 Main Event playoffs, many within the community expected RNG to at least stick around for another season seeing how the team performed above expectations during the TI11 group stage before being struck by COVID-19. This led xNova to play on the main stage alone with teddy bears as they bore the RNG symbol. While he didn’t win the match, he won the community’s heart at large.
However, with Lu "Somnus" Yao seemingly announcing his retirement after the match the Malaysian support decided that it was time for him to explore other opportunities as he announced his availability for the upcoming 2022/2023 DPC season.
xNova’s next destination remains unknown, but Indonesian organization BOOM Esports might be in the prime position to sign the 25-year-old following the recent departure of Rolen "Skem" Ong. However, xNova might also decide to find another team within the Chinese region, as he bears experience playing with PSG.LGD, RNG and EHOME.
After The International, the off-season is always flooded with roster shuffles around the world. However, many people believe that this off-season will be more hectic than the previous season as many teams will be looking to rebuild or invest in other regions.
