Five key storylines of VCT 2022 North America Stage 2 Challengers

The Challengers in North America will start this week. The best 10 teams will fight for two slots for the next Masters. They again were divided into two groups of five teams. The bracket of playoffs was changed. Now, the 1st place in each group will advance to Upper Bracket Round 2, while 4th – to Lower Bracket. This event will be held from starting 13th of May until the 26th of June. The prize pool is $200,000.

Group A:

• The Guard
• XSET
• NRG
• TSM
• 100 Thieves
• Ghost Gaming

Group B:

• OpTic
• Cloud9
• FaZe Clan
• Luminosity Gaming
• Evil Geniuses
• Sentinels

Cloud9 are thirsty for revenge

Cloud9 had the best result at VALORANT Champions 2021 among all teams from North America. vanity & co made a playoff and took 5th-8th place. Logically, the team did not hold substitutions before the start of the new season. Along the way past Challengers, Cloud9 finished Group A without defeats, but lost against OpTic and The Guard in the playoffs. They took 3rd place and missed the Masters in Reykjavík. Cloud9 is – the third-strongest team in the region. And after an unsatisfactory result from The Guard, we can say that Cloud9 is no worse.

The task of Cloud9 on Challengers 2 is clear – to go to the next Masters. But notice their group B. They have OpTic and Sentinels, plus dangerous Luminosity. Given that the playoff format has changed, teams will now try to take first place for everyone. The fate of Cloud9 is most likely decided at the group stage. If they manage to win all direct competitors, they will have a good chance to pass at the Masters. If not, Cloud9 will be difficult in the playoffs, and the applicants for slots – a lot.

TSM are ready to build a new era

TSM was one of the first big organizations, that entered VALORANT in May 2020. In the debut season, TSM won several tournaments and successfully proved themselves. Many praised the team, respected the players, and tried to be like them. But over time, the team’s performance deteriorated, and they had to go to extremes.

Only Subroza stayed in a team since May 2020. This January, Corey, and Rossy have joined, late in April – gMd and seven. In this composition, TSM managed to qualify for NA Challengers 2. They will play in group A alongside The Guard, XSET, NRG, 100 Thieves, and Ghost Gaming.

No one is waiting for them to pass on the Masters. But to show a worthy result, I believe, this is the minimum task for them. Looking at the current shape, and the overall layout, the playoffs for TSM are great. The most important – have a good start, based on which, you can build a good team that can participate in international tournaments.

Sentinels are looking back

One of the best teams in the world last year, Sentinels, had encountered problems at the beginning of the season. They had a tough run in a group, then in the playoffs, Sentinels lost two matches in a row. This meant that Sentinels missed their first International Event in VALORANT, as well as the first change in a roster since March 2021. Zombs was changed by Kanpeki from Akrew, and Sentinels finally acquired Rawkus as a coach, who worked with a team at Valorant Champions.

The start was rough. Sentinels failed the first open qualifier for Challengers. The second also started not satisfactory, because Akrew took victory over Sentinels, and sent them to the lower bracket. But the experience helped the team in a difficult moment. Shahzam & co won five matches in a row and secured the spot for NA Challengers 2.

Sentinels will play in a group B alongside OpTic, C9, FaZe Clan, LG, and Evil Geniuses. It’s a difficult group for Sentinels, considering the in-game form of the team. As simple as before, Sentinels will not be able to pass on the LAN. But they need to look back and analyze, what the previous result did to them. Once they realize that, they have to take it to the next level to get back on top.

Can 100 Thieves show a short-term success?

Another big North American organization, 100 Thieves, had encountered problems in 2022. The signing of BabyJ and ec1s was a bust. After that, 100 Thieves said goodbye to Ethan and Hiko. seangares and ddk came to the team as a coach and general manager, respectively, to help the team to grow up.

Only Asuna and bang remained from the previous line-up. Derrek, stellar, and Will joined the team, to build a new era of 100 Thieves. The team managed to book a ticket for Challengers only from the second attempt, but the result is a result. Expectations from 100 T are the same as from TSM. It’s a young team, not all players are used to each other, and this tournament will be the first big challenge. In the case of 100 Thieves, I’m sure that there will be no hasty conclusions. sean and ddk are experienced personalities in esports, and they are well aware that the most important for each team is a time.

If 100 Thieves make playoffs, I’d say, that it’s a good result for them.

Can XSET break the barrier?

In conclusion, let’s talk about XSET. I’d say that this team can rate as a tier-1 in North America, based on their recent results. This team is constantly lacking strength at the finish line to pass the LAN tournament. Last year at LCQ they finished 3rd, and recently at Challengers – 4th place. And in every match against C9, The Guard, or OpTic, they showed an equal game. XSET drew a good lot, they were in group A alongside The Guard, XSET, NRG, 100 Thieves, and Ghost Gaming.

They have all chances to take 1st place to secure the slot in upper bracket round 2. There are already two games to win, and you have secured a seat at the LAN tournament. XSET needs to act here and now. If they don’t qualify for Masters, in Last Chance Qualifier will be difficult.