The 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour is about to hold the second international event of Masters 2 Copenhagen from July 10-24. Twelve teams from all major and minor regions will battle to decide who will be crowned champion and decide future Champions Istanbul implications. Of those participating, old teams are returning to the international stage while new teams represent their regions for the first time. Here are the Power Rankings for VCT Masters 2 Copenhagen.
[Related: VALORANT Masters 2 Copenhagen Groups Stage Announced]
Low Expectations
12.) KRÜ Esports (LATAM Second Seed)
KRÜ Esports retains their record of being the only team at every international event since the VCT started, but look like a shell of their former selves. Although they defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas 3-0 in the LATAM vs Brazil LCQ to qualify for Masters 2, KRU don’t show their former dominance. A reliance on Angelo “keznit” Mori to open up rounds can easily be exploited, especially with their group draw. With a first round Groups Stage matchup against Brazil’s LOUD, KRÜ will have to pull out all the stops to avoid a repeat elimination in groups.
11.) Leviatán (LATAM First Seed)
Leviatán advance directly to the Playoffs after their 3-0 victory against KRÜ Esports. They showed incredible tenacity after being knocked to the Lower Bracket early in LATAM to become first seed in their first international appearance. LATAM traditionally has not performed as well in comparison to the other minor regions, and Leviatán will have to step up to showcase their region.
10.) Guild Esports (EMEA Third Seed)
Guild Esports are EMEA’s third seed, and have a lot to prove for their first international tournament as a team. Although they completed the Challengers 2 Groups Stage 4-1, Guild fell 0-2 and 0-3 to Fnatic and FPX respectively. Guild has proven that they stand at the top three of EMEA, but there is still a tier difference between them and their direct competitors. Against international competition, Guild may notably struggle if they do not adjust to their new opponents.
Dark Horses
9.) NORTHEPTION (Japan First Seed)
Dethroning ZETA DIVISION 3-1 to become Japan’s Copenhagen representative, NORTHEPTION enter with high expectations on their heads. Their agent diversity and ability to adapt earned them the victory, but still stand as the big fish in a tiny pond. Japan still has to prove more than a miracle run to be considered a black horse for Masters 2. With DRX as their first opponents, NORTHEPTION has to showcase how much their region has improved, standing untested on an international stage until July 10.
8.) XERXIA Esports (APAC Second Seed)
XERXIA previously got eliminated in the Groups Stage to OpTic Gaming 0-2, ending their Masters 1 run. Although they enter again as the second seed, XERXIA struggled domestically to reach qualification. BLEED came within one round of eliminating them, while Team Secret pushed them to their limits in a 2-1 series. XERXIA continue to represent APAC, but are still a tier behind Paper Rex, and must prove their ability to make it out of the Groups Stage.
7.) FunPlus Phoenix (EMEA Second Seed)
FunPlus Phoenix previously missed out on Masters 1 due to international travel restrictions, entering now with the same problems. However, the organization has prepared emergency substitutes in case of any players unable to travel in time for the event. Even with the second place finish in Challengers 2, FPX come to Copenhagen with a big question mark over their heads. It will be impossible to assume what roster they will field until the day of their Groups Stage Match. As such, FPX fall in the middle of the Masters 2 Copenhagen Power Rankings.
Top Tier Teams
6.) DRX (Korea First Seed)
The number one representative of Korea makes a repeat appearance again, this time coming off of a perfect Challengers 2. A 7-0 Groups Stage and a clean sweep of the Playoffs showcases that DRX have cleaned up their gameplay and strategy compared to Challengers 1. Their methodical setup and execute style will have to be adjusted on the fly, as they face Japan’s NORTHEPTION in the Groups Stage. DRX have the past showings of greatness, now it will be time to prove it against the region that eliminated them last time from Masters 1.
5.) XSET (NA First Seed)
XSET marks their first international appearance by defeating OpTic 3-1 in the Domestic Grand Finals. The immediate improvement from Challengers 1 to make it past groups and then defeat the reigning Masters 1 Champions. Although the entire team is untested on beating any international teams, defeating OpTic Gaming is a strong argument for XSET to make a far run in Copenhagen. This is why XSET rank so highly on the Masters 2 Copenhagen Power Rankings, despite the lack of evidence.
4.) Paper Rex (APAC First Seed)
Paper Rex’s dominance of APAC picked up right where they left off after Masters 1’s fourth place finish from a 1-2 loss to ZETA DIVISION. Dropping only two maps in Challengers 2, Paper Rex’s unorthodox compositions and fearsome pace continue to push them miles ahead of their region. The closest competitors of Team Secret and XERXIA hold no candle to Paper Rex, who stand as undisputed number one in APAC. They will hold their heads high, ready to stir up trouble again in the Masters 2 Copenhagen Playoffs.
Tournament Favorites
3.) Fnatic (EMEA First Seed)
Fnatic’s run at Masters 1 was cut short due to emergency substitutes and a Groups Stage exit. Now backed by two new team members, their dominance of EMEA has been firmly established. A perfect Groups Stage followed by dropping only one map in the Playoffs shows the amount improvement since Iceland. Although Fnatic has shown incredible potential to make EMEA’s furthest 2021 run, all eyes fall on Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder. The youngest player will play in front of his first audience at the age of seventeen, and will have to perform under pressure for Fnatic to succeed.
2.) LOUD (Brazil First Seed)
Ever since their 0-3 loss to OpTic in Masters 1, LOUD returned to Brazil with a vengeance. They completed a perfect Challengers 2 run without even dropping a single map. Only two opponents, Stars Horizon and Ninjas in Pyjamas even reached double digit rounds on a single map each. LOUD kept their heads focused on returning and winning this Masters, and it shows. They stand undoubtedly as one of the top teams to watch in Copenhagen.
1.) OpTic Gaming (NA Second Seed)
The Masters 1 Champions return in the same fashion as North America’s second seed. Although they dropped the domestic Grand Finals 1-3 to XSET, two team members suffered through COVID in their performance. Throughout Challengers 2, OpTic only ever dropped two games, maintaining their previous dominant form after returning from Reykjavík. With all players now testing free from COVID, OpTic will be back to their usual and dominant form. OpTic clearly stands as the number one pick and favorites to become the first repeat Masters Champions.
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