VALORANT Challengers 3 NA: Last Chance for 100T, TSM, T1

Four teams are already qualified for Masters. However, organizations like 100 Thieves, FaZe Clan, TSM, and T1 are still waiting to catch their ticket to the event. Which teams will clinch the last four spots for the VALORANT Masters tournament?

THE OPEN QUALIFIER LOSERS

Only one major roster failed to qualify for Challengers 3. Cloud9 Blue, the organization’s male lineup, had to face T1 in their last match. On two 10-13 maps, they narrowly conceded defeat. This unfortunately means that they’ll be following the conclusion to VALORANT’s spring season from the sidelines. Renegades, Complexity, and Evil Geniuses were also among the ones not to make it through the Open Qualifier.

100 THIEVES DEBUT ACE PLAYER

Unlike most former CS:GO players, Ethan “Ethan” Arnold didn’t transition to VALORANT after his career had taken a turn for the worse. With Evil Geniuses, he still had a top team. Even though the results haven’t been great in the last few months, the team is still one of the best in the world. So Ethan’s move came as a huge surprise for his fans. However, he has already secured the support of a great organization in the form of 100 Thieves. Now, the team will have to show how well they have managed to prepare, as their opponents in the bracket should certainly not be underestimated.

In the Opening Match of Challengers 2, Luminosity managed to score a strong 2-1 victory over the Thieves. Now, however, the teams are placed on opposite sides of the bracket and should they clash, they will already be qualified for Masters anyways. Ethan and his colleagues would have to beat NRG, and either T1 or FaZe Clan on the way.

WHEN WILL T1 FINALLY GET GOING?

Back in the first qualifier, the team had still fielded Braxton “brax” Pierce and Keven “AZK” Larivière. But after an early defeat to Andbox, the two players were removed in favor of Timothy “autimatic” Ta and Rahul “curry” Nemani. Once again, two Counter-Strike players have made the switch to VALORANT. So once more, T1 will get a shot at climbing to the top.

Their chances at this event aren’t that bad, actually, as almost all teams in attendance are struggling with putting out consistent form. In Challengers 2, TSM hadn’t even made it past the Open Qualifier and Luminosity were thrown out by XSET later on. FaZe Clan and Gen.G Esports both made last place and DHBK were only forced to play minor teams in order to make it to Challengers 3.

So the Top 4 is all but guaranteed for teams like T1 and 100T. However, the fight for the other spots remains tense, as no lineup seems to have a clear advantage. Envy, Sentinels, Immortals, and XSET will soon get company in the Masters bracket. Eight teams remain, four can secure a ticket to the event. But who will do it in the end?