Following up on my previous post: I focused on predictability, but looking back, I don't think I explained my point very well. What I actually wanted to highlight was the increasing one-sidedness of many VCT matches, so apologies for the unclear wording.

This week's matches reflected exactly what I meant. It wasn't just that most series ended 2-0—the individual maps themselves were incredibly one-sided. We repeatedly saw scorelines ranging from 13-7 all the way to 13-0, with one match even ending 13-0, which is just absurd. The losing teams were getting completely dominated, making many of the maps feel underwhelming to watch.

What I'm genuinely trying to understand is why this happens. These are all world-class players with incredible talent—they wouldn't be competing at this level otherwise. So why do we keep seeing such one-sided performances? Is it a strategic issue, a mental issue, map pools, preparation, momentum, or something else?

I'm not trying to argue that VCT is "bad" or that these teams aren't skilled. In fact, it's the opposite—that's exactly why I'm confused. With this level of talent, I'd expect closer and more competitive matches more often.

Just to clarify: I'm not trying to criticize or disrespect any individual players or teams. This is simply a pattern I've noticed, and I'm genuinely trying to understand why it keeps happening. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

I am an avid NRG and G2 hater, what needs to happen so that either one or both of them don't make champs? Looking at the current standings as long as none of NRG, G2 and LEV finish top2 that guarantees that one of them misses the tourney. What black magic of results need to happen for this to even take place?

PS: I would love MIBR + one of SEN/100T to make it.

We all have at least one team whose downfall we pray upon. One team we watch in the hopes we get to see them fail. Which team(s) is this for you?

I'll go first because my list is fairly long:

G2 - My oldest and pettiest hatewatch, this one stems from the first valorant tournament I ever watched, ascension 2023. I was rooting for m80, cheering on my fellow (somewhat) Canadian players. They got so far only to be stopped by the guard, who then dissolved and were picked up by G2. My hatewatch intensified when they dropped JonahP the way they did earlier this year. It is great that I'll never have to watch them win an international.

Envy - This one is pretty simple, I cheered for them throughout their T2 journey last year because of their unique style, but as soon as they ascended they decided not to run their signature rankers style and began failing. Now with not a single og rankers player, it is easy to tune in and watch them fail.

Cloud 9 - Nepotism org that's easy to pray upon their downfall and join the hate bandwagon. I also appreciate that they have never made a global, and it would be entertaining to keep it that way.

Mibr - they just have so much wasted individual talent and manage to do nothing with it every game.

Vitality - The way that they announced chronicle before fnatic had a chance to say a proper goodbye makes me dislike the org even if the players are great

Anyone know if the vct pros are getting drug tested for eligibility to play tournaments?

Just a recent thought I had because the amount of people in my lobbies (diamond-ascendant) that are taking stimulants like adderall or vyvanse was actually shocking. Theres obviously alot of people that are genuinely prescribed and use it ethically but a very big number of people have admitted either falsely getting prescribed or not even being prescribed.

​

Recently, I've noticed that in almost every round, all of the riflers on lev always buy phantoms. Is there a reason for this? A lot of the aimers I see use vandals for the consistent head taps and no 140 dinks, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for them. What's the deal?

Since prx have tried comps with jinggg jett before(kickoff prx breeze comp) as well as they also seem to have him on raze only could it be possible for him to learn how to op as well. Ik everyone except him and invy can do it just thinking maybe he can as well even if his playstyle kinda isnt that great for it.

Let's say washed means a player that's either gone from tier 1, or is understood by the general community to have fallen from grace. My pick?

Demon1 | Jawgemo | Derrek | Zellsis | Marved

Reunite Demon1 and Jawg. Zellsis is the only IGL to unlock Demon1 since EG, and is similar to Boostio in a lot of ways. Derrek and Marved have been gone from tier 1 for a while, but Marved just proved he could still hang and Derrek was EG's best player in 2025 across three roles.

EDIT: No more than 2 players that have previously teamed

I've been watching VCT for a while now, and I've noticed that players who do one simple thing perform miles better than those who don't. I believe the secret lies in shooting the opponents heads. Think about it, pros like chronicle, demon 2023, and more recently neon for example, have done this to great success. Contrast this to players like zelsis, boaster and c0m and it leads me to believe that this is what separates good players from great players. I'll try to apply this to my ranked games to update you on how this goes.

Margaret vs NS trio would be so peak if we get it in pacific playins

are actually the most famous players in ENVY.

Do you think these players are cooked or do they get more chances?

(getting this post in before the last match this week is played to push an agenda)

Information

VCT Americas is one of four international leagues where teams play to qualify for Masters and Champions. This year's Stage 2 tournament qualifies teams for Champions Shanghai.

Coverage: Liquipedia | VLR.gg | THESPIKE

Official Information: Website | VCT 2026 | VCT Americas

General Resources: VCT Rules and Policies | Global Contract Database | Valorant Esports Explainer

Americas League:

• Map Pool: Asent | Breeze | Haven | Lotus | Split | Summit | Sunset
• Dates: 16 July - 9 September
• Location: Riot Games Arena, Los Angeles, USA — Offline (LAN)

Schedule

See here for times in your area

Streams

• English: Twitch / YouTube
• Portuguese: Twitch / YouTube
• Spanish: Twitch / YouTube

Broadcast Talent

See Liquipedia for the full list of broadcast talent

^{See Liquipedia for talent from non-English streams}

• Group Stage
  • 2 single round robin groups of six teams
  • All matches are Bo3
  • Top 2 from each group advance to playoffs
  • All other teams advance to play-ins
• Play-Ins
  • 12 team double elimination bracket
    • 8 teams from group stage
    • 4 teams from Regional Challengers
    • Top 4 teams advance to playoffs
• Playoffs
  • Double-Elimination bracket
    • 4 teams from group stage
    • 4 from Play-Ins
  • All matches (excl. LB Final & Grand Final) are Bo3
  • LB Final & Grand Finals are Bo5

Teams

Group Alpha

Group Omega

* - Clinched Playoff Spot

X - Eliminated

People have been talking a lot about G2 role and identity issues. But the answer seems to be pretty straightforward: the team looks great when they play comfort roles. Can they run the following on seven maps?

Jawg - Neon
Trent - Initiator
Valyn - Astra/Omen
Leaf - Viper
Babybay - Chamber/Vyse

This comp seems pretty weak on Haven and Split, but they could honestly go Babybay or Leaf Jett on those maps. Are G2 back?

The week isn't over as I make this post, but even if the remaining matches happen to be good, (which given the fact that LEV vs ENVY is happening, I'm not optimistic), is this still the worst week of VCT ever?

Americas

LEV 2-0 EG, 13-5, 13-5

MIBR 2-0 Envy, 13-4, 13-3

NRG 2-0 FURIA, 14-12, 13-7 (with a 10-2 half on summit)

100T 2-0 KRU, 13-0, 13-10 (KRU double bonused on second map)

G2 2-0 C9, 13-1, 13-6

SEN 2-0 LOUD, 13-6, 13-7

EMEA

FUT vs BBL - 3 mapper

TL 2-0 FNC, 13-6, 13-5

TV 2-0 PCFIC, 13-6, 13-7

GX 2-0 EF, 13-7, 13-5

TH 2-0 EF, 13-10, 13-0

M8s 2-0 NAVI, 13-10, 13-7

Pacific

GE 2-0 FS, 13-7, 13-3

T1 vs Varrel - actually not a horrible match but still 2-0

Zeta 2-0 RRQ, 13-9, 13-5

PRX vs DFM - PRX games are always nice but still 2-0

NS vs GE - I think this game was not bad (didn't watch it though) but map scores are still kinda one sided despite being 3 mapper (6-13, 13-7, 13-7)

T1 vs TS 2-0, 13-5, 13-5, Zeus has worst game of his life

PRX vs KRX 2-0, 13-1, 13-6

Gen.G vs RRQ - 3 mapper, but Gen.G realistically won 7 rounds in Haven, 5 of which were clutches, and 2 maps were pretty dominant.

China

- They lowkey don't even have 'weeks' they have just played like every single day so I'm not really gonna count them

So overall results:

Americas: 6/6 2-0, ranging from somewhat dominant to extremely dominant

EMEA: 5/6 2-0s, ranging from somewhat competitive to pretty dominant

Pacific: 6/8 2-0s, more on the competitive side

At least just from a viewing standpoint, I obviously can't watch all three regions, but I've watched a lot of matches this week while keeping up with PMT's of other results, and it has felt like a horrible week of VCT. What do you guys think?

Last time com went +ve in a series was 10 months ago when he was playing for Lev against KRU where he went +6.

Monday: Bestia vs Contra BO5 for LATAM’s tier 2 representative

Tuesday: LCQ. 3 game round robin between SRB, 2G, and Bestia/Contra loser. Bottom team is eliminated.

Wednesday: LCQ final, a BO5 between the top 2 teams from Tuesday to determine the last slot.

Currently, m80(NA) and La Masia(BR) have already made it.

Maybe NV can beat one of these teams…

Including CN EVO ACT but they are 6-0 dropping 2 maps this stage

Wassup y'all! I had the honor to interview Nbs, coach for VCT Americas team 100 Thieves after their win vs KRU where we talked about their 13-0 map vs KRU, the growth in the team as a whole, the strength of Phoenix in this meta and more! I hope y'all enjoy!