Hexa-Threat: Valorant Tournament VCT EMEA Playoffs Preview

Valorant

21 May

Foo Zen-Wen

It’s a six-way battle between EMEA’s best.

The regular season of VCT EMEA (Riot’s partnered league for the Tier 1 EMEA teams), has concluded. With the accumulation of points from the weekly games, six teams have emerged as EMEA’s highest rated teams. The teams have received invitations to the VCT EMEA Playoffs. They are:

Fnatic
Natus Vincere (NA’VI)
Giants Gaming
FUT Esports
Team Liquid
Team Vitality

The VCT EMEA Playoffs will take place starting from the 23rd of May and conclude on the 28th. As previously mentioned, the top three performers from this tournament will receive invitations to both Masters: Tokyo and Champions 2023. Moreover, thanks to Fnatic’s victory at VCT LOCK//IN earlier this year, EMEA will receive an additional slot, bringing the total EMEA representatives at Masters: Tokyo to 4.

Format for Playoffs

VCT EMEA Playoffs will include a double-elimination bracket, with all four semi-finalists qualifying for Masters: Tokyo and the top three performers qualifying for VCT Champions 2023 at the end of the year.

Based on regular season points, the top two performers: Fnatic and NA’VI have earned byes into the 2nd round of competition. Meanwhile, the bottom 4 teams: Giants Gaming, FUT Esports, Team Liquid, and Team Vitality will begin their climb anew from the 1st round. Moreover, if both Fnatic and NA’VI win their first series, they are both guaranteed at least attendance to Masters: Tokyo.

The bottom four teams will face one another, sorted based on seeding. As the 3rd ranked team, Liquid will face the bottom ranked team of the 6, that being Team Vitality. This leaves Giants to face FUT.

Schedule for Playoffs

Upper Round 1

{G1} Giants Gaming vs FUT Esports [23rd May | 1600 BST]

{G2} Team Liquid vs Team Vitality [23rd May | 1900 BST]

Upper Semifinals

{G3} Fnatic vs (Winner of G1) [24th May | 1600 BST]

{G4} NA’VI vs (Winner of G2) [24th May | 1900 BST]

Lower Round 1

{G5} (Loser of G1) vs (Loser of G3) [25th May | 1600 BST]

{G6} (Loser of G2) vs (Loser of G4) [25th May | 1900 BST]

Upper Final

{G7} (Winner of G3) vs (Winner of G4) [26th May | 1600 BST]

Lower Round 2

{G8} (Winner of G5) vs (Winner of G6) [26th May | 1900 BST]

Lower Final

{G9} (Winner of G8) vs (Loser of G7) [27th May | 1600 BST]

Grand Final

{G10} (Winner of G9) vs (Winner of G7) [28th May | 1600 BST]

To summarize, all participants of G9 and G10 will receive qualifications to Masters: Tokyo and the winner of G9 along with both participants of G10 will receive direct qualifications to Champions 2023.

Predictions for UR1

Giants Gaming have already faced and beaten FUT Esports. The main caveat being, this was all the way back in Week 4, and FUT have had a long time to nurse that wound. It’s hard to call this game as either team could take it on a good day. They’re fairly evenly matched, however, Giants have shown greater strategic discipline in the majority of their games and have been more consistent in maintaining form. Time will tell if Giants can emerge victorious in this scrappy battle.

Team Liquid have also already faced Vitality, but this was a different Vitality from back in Week 1. With the waning displayed strength of the latter and growing strength of the former, this could be a very different series to the one initially watched. Liquid is favored to win this series by virtue of their star pieces and well-executed synergy, but Vitality is no slouches as well when it comes to underrated star-power and especially strategic depth. This will be a battle of Sword versus Mind in all likelihood.

**Viewer Special* Players to watch out for**

Fnatic- Having gone undefeated for their entire run, key changes during the off-season have turned Fnatic into a veritable force of nature.

Derke- Arguably the main firepower for the team, his consistently strong performances make him a top candidate for one of the best in the world.
Chronicle- Since joining Fnatic, this flexible one-man army has shown immense strategic worth, capable of being utilized in any of Valorant’s roles and performing as a massive carry.
Alfajer- Whilst not as flashy all the time as some of his teammates, he is the solid bedrock on which Fnatic have built their fortress of strategies.

NA’VI- Forever the prince, never the king. NA’VI may be done settling for second place as they look to challenge Fnatic for the peak of Valorant.

Shao- Counted by many as one of the best initiators in the world, he has shown the capabilities of a hard-carry and true superstar.
Suygetsu- One of the most mechanically gifted players in the world currently, this demon is a massive boon for NA’VI on his sentinel roles.
cNed- Touted as one of the best players of 2021, he has seen a resurgence of form rivalling his peak performance of yesteryear.

Giants- Stand tall and proud. Giants entered the Valorant scene with a collection of players that had immense promise but also the potential to implode. Their successful gelling has led to one of most promising EMEA lineups thus far.

Fit1nho- One of the most dangerous rookies, he’s the Spanish Wonderkid that has turned heads on this new squad.
Cloud- The most consistent elements of the previous NA’VI roster, he’s now turned his talents to this world contender.

FUT- Turkish delight truly. FUT has proven time and again that they are the real deal. With immense individual talents and a solid foundation of domestic players, they consistently deliver on the biggest stages.

qw1- A true star of the Turkish scene, he’s a mechanical prodigy that consistently delivers.
Atakaptan- The silent carry and bedrock for the roster, he’s one of the deadliest flex players in the world.

Liquid- Soft as a trickle, rough as a wave. Over the course of the regular season, Liquid has gradually gathered momentum, and now the wave seeks to crash.

nAts- On a roster with this many flashy stars, somehow, the silent assassin has lurked his way to the top of the leaderboard. Doubling as both an incredible anchor and clutch lurk, he always delivers.
Sayf- Arguably the largest chunk of firepower for Liquid, this flashy mechanical star will turn heads with his incredible aim.
Jamppi- Once a forsaken CS prodigy, he has now turned his talents to Valorant, delivering both consistency and flashy highlights.

Vitality- Having gone from promising lineup to dark horse, Vitality have their work cut out for them if they seek to return to the spotlight. But they have the talent and the foundational bedrock to do it.

Twisten- The ace of Vitality shines bright in the darkest skirmishes. As the young rookie continues to blossom into a star, he delivers with some incredible performances.

Stay tuned for updates on the Playoffs series happening next. Follow Strafe Esports for the latest news.

Follow VCT EMEA's Twitter for all the updates regarding VCT EMEA.

Credit: VCT EMEA // Valorant Esports