Summary:
- Mindfreak and Paper Rex part ways following five years of ups and downs in VALORANT.
- Mindfreak becomes a free agent and brings experience and leadership to the table of VCT Pacific Split 2 sides.
Mindfreak and Paper Rex separate after spending five years together indicating a major change in the Pacific VALORANT scene. The Indonesian controller Aaron “Mindfreak” Leonhart is betting on new opportunities beyond Paper Rex. This call marks the end of a relationship dating back to February 2020 with Counter-Strike and its subsequent glory in its performance in VALORANT.
Promising Start and Pacific Dominance
Initially, Paper Rex announced that they have made the difficult decision to move Aaron “Mindfreak” Leonhart from the active roster to reserve status. However, Mindfreak followed it up as becoming a restricted free agent looking up to compete again on a new team soon.
Mindfreak was first signed by Paper Rex in February 2020 to play Counter-Strike. However, when the tactical shooter developed by Riot began its streak, the team planned to move to VALORANT in February 2021.
They were soon able to qualify into Masters 2021 Berlin, but failed to complete past the group stage. Sadly, the team was also unable to qualify to the VALORANT Champions 2021 later the same year.
The year of 2022 was the real breakthrough of Paper Rex in the international game. They snatched a 4th place finish at Masters Reykjavik and went even higher with an impressive 2nd place at Masters Copenhagen.
But still, they made an early exit out of the VALORANT Champions 2022 at the group stage. These successes nonetheless established Paper Rex as a competitive team in the Pacific. Albiet, their underperformance at Champions.
Following the released VCT Pacific in 2023, Paper Rex began as the second-strongest team of the region after DRX. However, after some roster adjustments, they seized the competition and won the first Pacific title.
The consistent anchoring of Mindfreak did wonders in offsetting the tremendous burst damage of Jinggg, something, and f0rsaken. Meanwhile, his soothing influence as well as d4v41 provided the aggressive squad the stability it required to triumph.
Decline in Performance and Strives of 2024
Although Pacific was successful, Paper Rex failed to get results in international events. At the subsequent Masters tournament, they finished 3rd, losing to Fnatic and EG. The team advanced to the VALORANT Champions 2023 Grand Finals but was defeated by EG once more. Such instances of the “Never the Bride” were made a constant to the organization.
The 2024 season carried on the frustrations of Paper Rex in various tournaments:
- Lost Pacific Kickoff to Gen.G
- Lost lower bracket finals to Sentinels and missed Grand Finals
- Won Pacific Stage 1 but failed at Masters Shanghai
- Was first team to be knocked out of VALORANT Champions 2024
Furthermore, personal performances, such as consistency of Mindfreak, started slipping across the season.
Roster Adjustment And Championship Win
At some point, Paper Rex were surprisingly persistent with maintaining the roster, into 2025, against all odds. But they tussled in the Pacific Kickoff and were nearly missing another international in the Pacific Split 1.
Consequently, the organization replaced Mindfreak with Patmen called in, halfway through the season. Mindfreak then changed to the assistant coach position allowing the team to qualify at Masters Toronto.
The additions of Patmen on the team and Mindfreak on the coaching staff were the missing pieces that Paper Rex needed to break through. They got hold of the Pacific #3 seed for Masters Toronto and exceeded all expectations. The team was also undefeated in the playoffs and it beat Fnatic 3-1 in the Grand Finals.
However, the win was bittersweet for Mindfreak, who sat out after twice falling as a player.
Expectations for VCT Pacific Split 2
Mindfreak and Paper Rex separate ways with both organizations having newer directions. The Indonesian controller will now find his free agency stage five years of top-notch experience in his services announced in the market.
Without doubt, Pacific teams would appreciate his flexibility and knowledge of the game. His presence is an opportunity to the squad that is seeking leadership and controller skills prior to VCT Pacific Split 2.
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