Cover-Credits:
Valorant Champions is almost here and if you just got into the game’s esports scene, or will be watching just to get those free drops, you might as well find out who’s who at the event. The event has 16 of the best teams from across the world competing for the very first Valorant world championship. While there are some clear favorites, anything can happen in esports and we just might get an underdog story to close off what has been a big year for Valorant.
The Top Dogs
If you got into watching Valorant esports recently or happen to live under a rock, these are some of the teams that have dominated the 2021 season and are fan favorites to win the event.
Sentinels (North America)
Sentinels had a near-perfect 2021 and it could have been the single powerhouse team to root for at the event. But, it fell short at Masters Berlin despite winning Stage 1 and 2’s Masters events. Despite the setback in Stage 3, the team is one of the safest picks going into the event.
Gambit Esports (Europe)
Gambit Esports did not earn the title of being the best European team at Masters by accident, it was earned. The team completely demolished its opposition at Masters Berlin and it was by far one of the most dominant performances by any Valorant team we have ever seen. While Team Liquid might be a close second in Europe, Gambit delivered when it mattered the most and if you want to support a European team, it is going to be an easy choice.
The Dark Horses
These are teams that have done exceptionally well in their regional events but fell short on the international stage. Everyone deserves a second chance and it’s no different for these teams who want to replicate their regional success on the grandest stage of them all.
Crazy Raccoon
Crazy Raccoon (CR) has been one of the most dominant teams in Japanese Valorant esports and it started off Stage 1 with a Masters win. The team made it to both Masters Berlin and Masters Reykjavik but fell short against teams from other regions. The team has made it to Masters and it is CR’s one chance to put the team on the global community’s radar. The team will be going up against Gambit Esports and if it manages to secure a win against the European juggernaut, it will put them on everyone’s watchlist.
FURIA
FURIA won the South Amerian Last Chance Qualifier and the team has gone unnoticed for the better half of 2021. The team will go up against Sentinels which is going to be its biggest challenge yet. If the team makes it past Sentinels, it would completely open up the competition and set up the biggest storyline at the event.
The underdogs
Everyone loves a classic David-slays-Goliath tale and esports is no different. These teams have made it to the biggest stage of them all and have nothing to lose.
FULL SENSE
FULL SENSE (FS) is by no means a weak team when compared to the best teams in Southeast Asia. But as luck would, unfortunately, have it, FS finds itself in a predicament with Cloud9 Blue, Vision Strikers, and Fnatic as its opponents in the group. The odds are stacked against the team and the team will need to pull off a miracle to make it through to top eight.
Team Secret
The Southeast Asian Valorant community was rooting for the Bren Esports roster at Masters Berlin but the team’s fate was sealed before playing a single game. Riot Games was unable to get the team to Berlin and the roster left the organization. Team Secret picked up the Bren roster and is now headed to Berlin. But the team has been drafted against Gambit Esports, the one team no one wants to face in their first match at the world championship.
Valorant Champions kicks off on 1st December 2021. You can check out the schedule and format here.
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