The 5 Valorant roster changes we’re most excited about for VCT 2022
New champions in the making?
The VCT offseason has seen a flurry of Valorant roster changes, with teams bringing on fresh talent to prepare for the upcomingVCT 2022 season.
FromNorth Americato theEMEAregion, teams are rebuilding as they gear up to battle for regional dominance and challenge reigningVCT 2021championsAcend.
We’ve rounded up a list of the top five Valorant roster changes we’re most excited to see in action during theVCT 2022 season. Watch these rosters compete live at theVCT NAandEMEA Stage 1 Challengers.
5. T1 adds steel
T1 has signedveteran in-game leaderJoshua “steel” Nissan, shortly after his departure from100 Thieves. One of North America’s most famed IGLs, steel is charged with leading T1 to the trophy that has eluded them over the past two years.
Having reached the semifinals ofVCT Stage 3 Masters Berlinwith 100 Thieves, and consistently ranking among the top teams in the NA region, steel brings top-tier experience to a completely overhauled T1 roster that is hungry for success.
T1’s journey in Valorant has been rocky to say the least. Originally starring the trio ofBraxton “brax” Pierce,Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham, andKeven “AZK” Larivièrefrom the now infamous North American CS:GO team iBUYPOWER, and the lateraddition of Sam “DaZeD” Marine, T1’s roster has always looked formidable on paper.
But disappointing finishes at tournaments and the inability to compete with the Tier 1 of North America led tomultiple Valorant roster changes. We’ll be following T1 closely with the hopes that the new iteration of their roster can put on the performance we’ve always wanted to see.
T1’s Valorant rosterchangesfor VCT 2022
4. 100 Thieves sign BabyJ and ec1s
100 Thieves has brought ina rising star from FaZe Clan in the form of Hunter “BabyJ” Schline, while formerTeam LiquidIGL Adam “ec1s” Eccles will take on shot-calling duties.
100 Thieves has been a top contender in NA Valorant since winning Riot Games’First Strike event, but they’ve only had one international LAN appearance so far atMasters Berlin, after failing to qualify forValorant Champions 2021at theVCT NA Last Chance Qualifier.
The signing of two younger players could help revitalize the team with fresh ideas, with Hiko as a steadying hand. Equipped with the raw mechanical skills ofPeter “Asuna” MazurykandEthan “Ethan” Arnold, 100 Thieves’ new Valorant roster changes could shape up to be pretty dangerous in 2022.
The new roster will be looking to find some international success this year after the dearth of trophies in 2021.
100 Thieves’ Valorant rosterchangesfor VCT 2022
3. TSM completes roster with corey and Rossy
After months on the sidelines of competition, TSMintroduced an all-new roster for VCT 2022, built around the core of star duelistMatthew “Wardell” YuandYassine “Subroza” Taoufik, and mid-season acquisition Aleko “LeviathanAG” Gabuniya.
Corey “corey” Nigrajoins fromFaZe Clan, where he found some success after beating some of the top teams in North America on the back of FaZe Clan’saggressive smeaging strat. Upholding a reputation for being a reliable fragger, he brings solid firepower to TSM’s new lineup.
Former Immortals player and Astra main Daniel “Rossy” Abedrabbo will take on the IGL role.
Fans will no doubt be looking forward to seeing Wardellwield the Operatoragainst top teams again, and these TSM Valorant roster changes could be what he needs to do just that.
TSM’s Valorant roster changes for VCT 2022
2. G2 Esports bring back keloqz
Despite benching him last December, G2 Esports has brought back Cista “keloqz” Wassim to replaceOscar “Mixwell” Cañellas, the first player to be signed by the organization.
The Jett player put up stellar performances right from the very beginning, helping G2 Esports qualify for Masters Berlin. Alongside Žygimantas “nukkye” Chmieliauskas, keloqz was integral toG2 Esports’ upset over Sentinelsin the Group Stage, eventually ranking as thesixth best-rated player of the tournament.
The organization rounds out their roster withGiants Gaming duoAaro “hoody” Peltokangas and Johan “Meddo” Renbjörk Lundborg, and their coach Daniil “pipsoN” Mesheryakov. Since the addition of keloqz, G2 Esports has won their past nine matches, taking home the VCT Europe Stage 1: Challengers 2 title.
While not all the games were against Tier 1 competition, it’s an encouraging start for the revamped roster going into VCT 2022. G2 Esports were the kings of European Valorant in the game’s first year, and fans will be eager to see these new Valorant roster changes return them to those heights.
G2 Esports’ Valorant rosterchangesfor VCT 2022
1. FunPlus Phoenix announce new additions ardiis and SUYGETSU
In preparation for VCT 2022,FunPlus Phoenixannounced new Valorant roster changes with the addition ofArdis “ardiis” Svarenieks, formerly ofTeam LiquidandG2 Esports, and Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin.
The team has consistently remained at the top of European Valorant, but has fallen just shy of qualifying for the biggest international events. FunPlus Phoenix will be hoping that these roster changes are exactly what they need to reach the next level of professional Valorant, led by the likes of Counter-Strike legend and IGL Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov.
Ardiis has proven himself to be a potent force in Valorant. He was part of G2 Esports’ dominant streak, winningseven straight Ignition Series eventsandFirst Strike: Europe.
Together with rising star Pontus “Zyppan” Eek, who is equally deadly on both duelist and initiator roles, FunPlus Phoenix looks poised for greater success in 2022.
In aninterview with Upcomer, defending Valorant ChampionPatryk “starxo” Kopczyńskiof Acend listed FunPlus Phoenix as one of the teams he’s most excited to play against.
FunPlus Phoenix’s Valorant roster changes for VCT 2022
READ MORE:FaZe Clan’s new Valorant roster leaked before VCT NA Stage 1 qualifiers
