Valorant Game Changers have another rising player in North America ‘s StarBound. Currently playing for FlyQuest Red, the Canadian sentinel has been a promising talent making their mark in the scene. A methodical and strategic approach and years of experience have resulted in their impressive statistics, and their continuous growth make them a prominent name in North American GC every season.
The Jump Into Competitive Gaming
StarBound began gaming with Nintendo GameCube games like Super Mario Sunshine before they transitioned to more competitive games like Call of Duty on Xbox. They had their first competitive esports experience through playing Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), with which they developed fundamental tactical FPS skills and competed in ESEA leagues.
StarBound immediately jumped into Valorant when the game was released in 2020. In the first act, they reached the Immortal rank, and eventually received the Radiant status. Discovering their skill in the game led StarBound to consider a career in Valorant esports. That didn’t come easy, though, with a full time job they juggled with practice and a schedule that challenged their dedication.
Up until some time after he joined Velaris, StarBound worked full-time as a junior financial analyst intern from morning to 4:30PM, dedicating their late evenings to Valorant practice and scrims. They settled into a grueling routine, but all the grind paid off, as soon enough, they were climbing the competitive ladder and achieving great placements with their then team.
Excellence in Their Role and Agents
Though StarBound began as a duelist in 2022, they later discovered their true strength in the sentinel role. Their passive, patient, and calculated playstyle perfectly fit the position which specialized in defense. Instead of aggressive pushes, StarBound masters the art of strategic positioning and timing. Their background in CS:GO as an AWPer and lurker helped StarBound make a smooth switch into being a sentinel in Valorant.
In this role, StarBound has their signature agents: Cypher, Killjoy, and Chamber. They particularly shine with Killjoy, using her turret to create dynamic defensive setups. Meanwhile, their sharpshooting skills make Chamber a deadly pick, especially on maps like Split where they can lock down sites single-handedly.
Personal Growth and Team Work
Individually, StarBound boasts impressive Valorant statistics, revealing a competitive edge.
- Overall Rating: 1.22
- Average Combat Score: 247.1
- Kill/Death Ratio: 1.43
- Average Damage per Round: 160.6
- Headshot Percentage: 18.7%
- First Blood Success Rate: 61%
However, beyond personal skills, StarBound is also a reliable teammate. During their time with Velaris, the pro player had admitted not being the most vocal member initially. Working on their communication skills, especially in sharing information during lurks, have helped them improve. This growth mindset has helped them going forward, and allowed them to contribute greatly to their team and play versatile with various team compositions.
Recent Strides: StarBound’s Valorant Career Lately
After their time at Velaris, StarBound found a place in the Evil Geniuses GC roster before ending up with their current team, FlyQuest Red. At present, they have a total tournament winnings of nearly $15,000, and have moved from the regional VCT Game Changers NA to S-Tier events like the VCT Game Changers Championship 2024, competing against international talent.
Conclusion
StarBound have been a rising name in VCT Game Changers NA for their exceptional individual skills, already reflected in their game stats. Their playstyle is another strong point, with their preference for slow, steady, and strategic plays over aggressive and rushing offense making them a master in the sentinel role. StarBound’s dedication to Valorant and pro play, as well as their mindset that prioritized growth and comfort equally have proved to be an effective way in rising in competition and finding their place in the Game Changers scene.
