en
The Fateful Eight: VCT Masters Tokyo Playoffs Preview
The VCT Masters Tokyo recently commenced, marking the return of the Valorant Champion Tour to the international stage after the introduction of franchised regional leagues. The esports culture in Japan has reached its peak, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the capital city. Twelve teams from four different regions traveled to Tokyo to compete in this thrilling two-week tournament, but as the playoffs approached, only eight teams remained in contention for the title.
The Bracket:
Riot Games has publicly announced the first-round matchups for the playoffs, scheduled to take place from June 16 to June 25. The quarterfinal matches will follow a double-elimination bracket format, with four matches played over the first two days. Each playoff game will be a best-of-three series, except for the lower final and grand final, which will be best-of-five series held at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo on June 25.
The teams that qualified for the playoffs through the group stage include DRX, EDward Gaming, Evil Geniuses, NRG.
DRX
DRX started strong by defeating Attacking Soul Esports 2-0 in their opening match. However, they struggled to maintain their momentum and put up a mediocre performance against Evil Geniuses. With a 1-1 record, DRX faced elimination, but they managed to stage an impressive comeback against FUT Esports, winning the deciding match and securing the second playoff spot.
EDward Gaming
EDward Gaming faced a tough challenge after losing their first game to T1. In a do-or-die match against Natus Vincere, EDG managed to win consecutive overtime thrillers, becoming the first Chinese team to win an international LAN match. With their victory over T1 in the decisive match, EDward Gaming secured the eighth and final playoff spot.
Evil Geniuses
Evil Geniuses emerged as the first team from Group A to advance to the playoffs. They maintained a perfect record in the group stage. They defeated FUT Esports 2-0 in their first match and continued their impressive run by defeating DRX 2-0 in the winners match. With three members among the top five in the kill-to-death ratio, Evil Geniuses showcased their dominance in the group stage.
NRG
NRG, the Valorant powerhouse of North America, secured their playoff spot by defeating NAVI in a hard-fought best-of-three series. They faced tough competition from T1 in the deciding match, losing the first map but making a remarkable comeback to win 2-1.
The Teams that qualified directly to the Playoffs from their respective Leagues are Fnatic, Team Liquid, LOUD, and Paper Rex.
Fnatic
Fnatic, the reigning LOCK/IN champions, maintained an unbeaten record in the VCT EMEA League regular season. Despite losing to Team Liquid in the championship match, their impressive 21-game winning streak solidified them as the most consistent team in the 2023 VCT and the clear favorite to win the Masters.
Team Liquid
Team Liquid, despite a slow start, showcased their strength with an impressive roster. Some members include past Masters winners from Gambit Esports. They finished third in the Regular Season with a 6-3 record and went on a remarkable playoff run. Thus leading to a rematch with Fnatic in the championship game. Team Liquid secured the EMEA League title with a 3-1 victory. And earned themselves a direct invitation to the Masters Tokyo quarterfinals.
LOUD
LOUD dominated the VCT 2023 Americas League, finishing with an 8-1 record. With standout performances from Erick "aspas" Santos and Felipe "Less" Basso, LOUD proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Aspas ended the season with the highest ACS in the league, while Less showcased his lurking skills and high ACS.
Paper Rex
Paper Rex, after a rocky start in the VCT Pacific season, finished strong with five consecutive victories. Thus securing a playoff spot in Masters Tokyo. Despite their setback against DRX, Paper Rex aims to maintain their momentum in the playoffs and overcome the Korean powerhouse in the quarterfinals.
As the playoffs approach in VCT Masters Tokyo, the remaining eight teams are gearing up for intense competition. With Fnatic emerging as the favorite to claim the championship. Excitement fills the air as fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling matchups that will determine the ultimate victor in this highly anticipated Valorant tournament.
For More Information on the Teams, check out our Team Introductions: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
For more information on where to watch, you can check out our Viewer Guide.