Paper Rex Reportedly Set to Add Invy to Roster, Patmen Out

Paper Rex Reportedly Set to Add Invy to Roster, Patmen Out

Foo Zen-Wen

3 Dec, 2025, 15:10

|

Last updated: 3 Dec, 2025, 15:18

After an extremely successful year for the Southeast Asian powerhouse, Paper Rex is set to make a late off-season roster change, replacing newest member Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza for longstanding Team Secret player Adrian “invy” Reyes. Invy has remained one of the VCT Pacific’s strongest prospects throughout his time on Team Secret, and the move is considered a strong bolster to an already powerful lineup. The move was first reported by insider Tanmay Mhatre.

The Spotlight Turns to Invy

Team Secret’s longest-standing player, invy’s time on the roster found mixed results throughout his three-year tenure with them. For most of 2023 and 2024, Team Secret placed as a mid-table team within VCT Pacific, garnering domestic wins here and there. However, 2025 showed the team’s biggest dip since joining the league, with finishes near the bottom. Despite their best efforts, the team has never qualified for an international tournament since the inception of the league – with the exception of LOCK//IN back in 2023.

In PatMen, Paper Rex lose a flex/controller hybrid, but will gain an exceptional initiator in invy. His three most played agents of all time by far are Breach, KAY/O and Sova, making him potentially incredibly potent as a setup for Paper Rex’s gamestyle. Where he may fall short is certainly in his experience against a wider array of opponents, but joining Paper Rex, who are no strangers to qualifying for international events, makes this an interesting match for both.

Team Secret Invy
Invy has long been one of Team Secret's strongest pieces. With Paper Rex, he might finally soar. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Paper Rex Make a Pre-Emptive Move

While 2025 was undoubtedly Paper Rex’s most successful year to date, this move is uncharacteristically pre-emptive of them. Historically, fans have noted that Paper Rex tend to value roster synergy, being one of the rosters with the least roster moves despite having never lifted an international title until Toronto. Teams have been split apart for less. And while PatMen stepped into a roster teetering along the edge and was a key player in stabilizing the roster towards the end of Stage 2 and heading into Masters Toronto, invy is undeniably a massive talent pickup that will make the W-Gaming even more deadly to face.

Paper Rex Reportedly Set to Add Invy to Roster, Patmen Out
Champions in Toronto, Top 4 in Paris. Undoubtedly Paper Rex's best year to date, but they look determined to maintain momentum with this move. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Check out Strafe Esports for all the latest VALORANT news and our X account for the latest content and coverages. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games


Read More:

VCT Masters Santiago 2026 Tickets: Sales Dates, Where to Buy, and More

Team Liquid Brazil Defeat Shopify Rebellion Gold in Game Changers Championship Grand Finals

Latest news

TenZ and ohnePixel to star in VALORANT Champions Shanghai Showmatch

TenZ and ohnePixel to star in VALORANT Champions Shanghai Showmatch

Watch Team Alpha and Team Omega face off in the VALORANT Champions Shanghai showmatch
13 Oct
Sofia Guimarães

Riot Bans Over 171,000 VALORANT Accounts for Cheating in Act 5

Riot Games revealed more than 171,000 cheating bans in VALORANT Act 5, alongside penalties for AFK abuse, rank manipulation, toxicity, and botting.
13 Oct
Bruno Rodrigues

All Corrode Map Changes in VALORANT Patch 13.08

Corrode receives shorter defender rotation routes, a reworked Mid, and A Site plant zone adjustments in VALORANT Patch 13.08. See every change.
13 Oct
Bruno Rodrigues

VALORANT Patch 13.08 Adds Map Rating, Corrode Changes, Bind's Return, and More

VALORANT Patch 13.08 introduces Map Rating, rotates the Competitive map pool, brings changes to Corrode, and reveals Act 5 ban statistics.
13 Oct
Bruno Rodrigues

Americas Dominates VALORANT Champions 2026 Top Four and Secures Grand Final Spot

Three of the four remaining teams at VALORANT Champions 2026 represent the Americas, a region that has also won three of the last four world titles.
11 Oct
Bruno Rodrigues

Defending World Champions NRG Eliminated from Champions 2026

The throne of VALORANT world champions has officially fallen in Shanghai. In a dramatic lower-bracket clash at VALORANT Champions 2026, reigning titleholders NRG were swept 2-0 by their North American rivals, 100 Thieves.
11 Oct
Kaustavmani Choudhury

LOUD Defeat Reigning World Champions NRG to Secure Top 3 at VALORANT Champions 2026

The Brazilian squad take down defending champions NRG 2-1, securing a top-three finish and moving within one series of the VALORANT Champions 2026 Grand Final.
10 Oct
Bruno Rodrigues

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match