Exclusive: Boostio explains how EG unlocked Yoru’s full potential at Champions

Don’t mess with these masters.

Yoru has been an enigmatic duelistin Valorant’s pro meta who brings a team either success and struggles.

Out of the few teams picking Yoru, it is Evil Geniuses Kelden “Boostio” Pupello who believes that his team has figured out the best way to maximize the potential of this seldom-picked agent.

Kelden “Boostio” Pupello of Evil Geniuses is seen at VALORANT Champions Los Angeles Playoffs Stage at the Shrine Expo Hall on August 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

In the upper bracket quarterfinals match of Valorant Champions 2023, Evil Geniuses opted for Yoru on the third map, Pearl, against Edward Gaming. The North American team secured a commanding 13-5 victory, with Ethan “Ethan” Arnold finishing with a 20/10/5 KDA on Yoru.

In an exclusive interview with ONE Esports at Valorant Champions 2023, Boostio explained what it took for EG to become confident with the teleporting agent.

Ethan “Ethan” Arnold (L) and Kelden “Boostio” Pupello of Evil Geniuses react onstage after victory against EDward Gaming at VALORANT Champions Los Angeles Playoffs Stage at the Shrine Expo Hall on August 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

Evil Geniuses’ Boostio knows what it takes to get the most out of Yoru

Boostio dismissed the notion that Yoru was an agent that teams picked to catch opponents off-guard.

“To be honest, he could be used way more,” he said. “It takes a lot of practice. All five players will need to learn how to play with Yoru, or he will lose a lot of value.”

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EG followed a systematic approach when incorporating Yoru into their composition, relying on a strategy that involved self-imposed limitations with the agent.

“Bringing him out on Bind or Pearl, where you pick him for just one map,” he said. “You just focus on that one map.”

“Don’t worry about any other map with Yoru,” he continued. “You can get your team to follow the exact steps you need for him to work. And I think when you do find a way to make him work, he is really really strong.”

According to Boostio, EG has been playing with Yoru since the end ofMasters Tokyo.

“Just on and off, in some pro scrims we use him, but in others, we wouldn’t,” he said. “We’ve been practicing him for a long time, and we’ve refined him.”

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