Face Your Fears: VCT LOCK//IN Semifinals Strafe Edition Predictions

Only four remain.

 

The VCT LOCK//IN Survivors

DRX, The Korean Dragons

The Demons of the Orient have once more arrived at the peak of competition, and now they face a long-time rival and nemesis in LOUD. Having faced them last in the Upper Bracket Semifinals of the Valorant Champions 2022, and sent to the Lower Bracket in 2-0 fashion, they are looking to settle a score.

Forever the perennial runner ups, this core of players have long showed immense potential as not just the dominant force in the East, but also one of the serious contenders for the peak of Valorant competition. This event, they have shown immense resilience and ingenuity, having taken each series in 2-1, with their backs to the wall each time, they have persisted and overcome each obstacle.

DRX have taken down some serious names this event, namely North American superteam Cloud9, and on-the-rise roster Talon. If they want to rid themselves of their semifinal’s stigma, this would be the event and the team to do it in.

 

LOUD, The Kings of Brazil

Defending Valorant Champions of 2022, they come into 2023 VCT LOCK//IN with some fresh faces and even greater firepower. Having last faced DRX in the Upper Bracket Semifinals of the Valorant Champions 2022, they are looking to go 2 for 2 in the matchup, and sending the Eastern team flying home.

No one questions their power and versatility. With a roster brimming with the strongest talent in Brazil and the home crowd behind them, their victory seems all but assured to some. This event, they have crushed relatively less experienced teams, including Karmine Corp and Gen.G, however, their greatest victory came with the demise of their long-time rivals NRG (former OpTic Gaming core).

With an insane amount of roster/compositional versatility and map diversity, they look unstoppable. If they want to maintain their hold on the crown, this VCT LOCK//IN victory would go a long way towards maintaining grasp.

 

Natus Vincere, The Odyssey of Victory

If AI were ever to play Valorant, NA’VI would be the likeliest candidate. Their machine-like precision and immense tactical breadth does not even begin to encompass their power throughout their iterations. This roster is so stupidly stacked with talent that on the off chance that their plans fall through, they would just kill everyone anyways. The last time they faced off against Fnatic, was during Masters: Copenhagen, in which the former FPX-core emerged as the winners of the event. NA’VI (then FPX), emerged victorious 2-1 on their dream run through the lower bracket.

Touted by some already as one of the best teams in the world, it’s difficult to begin encapsulating how ridiculously good this team is at teamplay and macro, with a huge focus on clean site executes.

 

Fnatic, The Clowns of Chaos

After so many years, the legendary orange and black continues to deliver. Their latest Valorant iteration is the strongest the roster has ever seen. Coming into the event; there were some questions raised by pundits with regards to cohesion and whether certain talents could deliver. However, that has all be quashed. Fnatic last faced the NA’VI core at Master Copenhagen, where they fell to them in 2-1 fashion. This time, they’ll be looking to settle the score, and they have the strength to do so.

Another organization that has perennially been runner ups, “Boaster” and “Derke” in particular have been chasing the ephemeral dream of a trophy since their very first debut. Touted as one of the best IGL’s in the world, and the latter, one of the best players in the world, it felt very much like a question of when they would win, rather than if.

This VCT LOCK//IN event, they have already taken down the North American darling, Sentinels, Furia, and 100 Thieves, earning them the moniker of the Americas Slayers. Each of their wins have been 2-0 and in dominant fashion especially for the North American teams.

 

VCT LOCK//IN Matchup Predictions

DRX vs LOUD [2nd Mar | 1700 GMT]

What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object? That’s what you’ll be seeing when the forces of LOUD attempt to scale against the indomitable power of DRX. There is a lot to unpack between the two teams, however the insane performances delivered by both teams, and the scalps gained along the way during VCT LOCK//IN, are hyping this series up as one of the greatest to potentially happen thus far.

DRX are favored, however, to take this. LOUD’s great strength is largely derived from the shoulders of star player “aspas”, while DRX has far more tools to rely on. Should “aspas” falter here, LOUD could very well crumble before they can make any headway.

 

NA’VI vs Fnatic [3rd Mar | 17000 GMT]

This is likely the most intriguing matchup, with two teams who are heavily focused on macro and team-oriented executes, there is not a lot of difference between the two teams. Equally stacked with talent as well, both teams have 5 players capable of hard carrying a game, meaning there is very little chance of any one team snowballing. We give the slightest of edges to NA’VI however, for their games have had a machine-like precision that is even missing from Fnatic, a horrifying terminator that has seen “ANGE1” also have one of his best tournament performances to date. If your historically inting IGL is your top fragger, I think you’re in good shape.

 

VCT LOCK//IN Bonus Content

Prior to the Finals event kicking off, on the last day of VCT LOCK//IN, Riot Games have unveiled a special treat for the fans. A showmatch will commence between popular streamers "Tarik" and "FRTTT". The showmatch follows the classic formula of North and South, with the two being two of the biggest streamers for their respective regions, North America and South America respectively. Other notable professional players and Valorant influencers will also be in attendance as they get drafted by either teams.

Moreover, the showmatch will also include the unveiling of Valorant Agent 22, codenamed: Gekko (an Initiator). According to leaks and reports, 'Gekko's' gameplay will revolve around 'bringing their own eclectic way to deal with situations, new ways to check corners, get onto locations, and plant the Spike.'

Watch Valorant esports on Twitch or YouTube. Check the schedule for all the games on Strafe Esports. The Grand Finals is scheduled to start at 9am PT on Saturday, 4th Mar. Catch the new agent reveal, the showmatch, and watch the Grand Finals to earn the in-game VCT LOCK//IN 'Dad Hat' Gun Buddy.

 

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