MAD Lions returns to VALORANT with a new roster

The popular esports organization, MAD Lions, decides to return to VALORANT after acquiring the Dark Ratio lineup, which will represent them in Challengers NA.

MAD Lions was home to a powerful VALORANT lineup that finished in second place at VRL 2022 France. However, like most teams, they dropped out of the scene after failing to secure a spot in VCT 2023. However, that elusive partnership could be on the horizon if this new team can get past the Challengers NA.

MAD Lions signs Dark Ratio lineup

The Dark Ratio lineup secured a spot in the Challengers NA by being one of four rosters to survive a violent 256-team open qualifier. Now, they will be donning MAD Lions colors in VALORANT to mark the return of this organization to Riot’s FPS and the move from EMEA to NA.

In the official MAD Lions release, OverActive Media, the brand’s partner company, said the organization signed the team in Q4 2022. Adam Adamou, Chief Strategy Officer of OverActive Media, said:

“We are thrilled to join this exclusive group of talented players and notable organizations for the inaugural season of the NA League. VALORANT is the fastest growing esport today, and we are proud to have joined the competition.”

MAD Lions will join teams such as G2 Esports, The Guard, and M80 when the VALORANT Challengers NA group stage begins. The hope is to make it past Challengers and into the Ascension league. There, a promotion to the Champions Tour awaits them.

Who is the former Dark Ratio?

Dark Ratio gets its name from the former team of many players who were part of it. Most of the new MAD Lions squad members played for DarkZero in the past, just before the organization left the VALORANT competitive scene. Now, the starting lineup for MAD Lions is as follows:

• Adam “Ange” Milian
• Anthony “ZexRow” Colandro
• Taylor “drone” Johnson
• Justin “Trick” Sears
• William “Will” Cheng
• Jornen “MoonChopper” Nishiyama (Head Coach)

The luxury additions to this lineup are Will and MoonChopper. Will is widely known to the VALORANT community after his time with 100 Thieves, where he helped the team secure a spot in the VALORANT Champions 2022. MoonChopper is the former strategic coach of Cloud9 White, the most dominant team in NA Game Changers history.

There is no doubt that this group of players has impressed this famous organization so much that they decided to bring the MAD Lions brand back to the VALORANT pro scene. There is no doubt that this will be a tough road, with many hungry teams ready to battle in the NA Challengers. The talent in this league is incredible.

Header: MAD Lions