Should VALORANT teams make frequent roster changes? Feat. alecks, Neilzinho, and LohaN

In the ever-evolving world of competitive VALORANT, one question continues to divide players, coaches, and analysts alike: Should teams frequently change their rosters to stay competitive, or is long-term roster stability the key to consistent success?

Three prominent coaches - Paper Rex’s Alex "alecks" Salle, Team Heretics’ Neil "neilzinho" Finlay and Team Liquid’s Ivo "Lohan" Alibno - recently shared contrasting views on the topic following difficult tournament exits for two of them. Their insights reflect broader philosophies within the esports ecosystem, especially in a game where metas shift rapidly and the pressure to perform is relentless.

Alecks: Change is Necessary to Avoid Stagnation

After Paper Rex’s loss to Rex Regum Qeon in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Pacific Stage 1 Lower Bracket Final, head coach Alecks gave an honest take on the need for change in competitive rosters.

“Actually, it’s my personal belief that you need to change the roster more often. I think it’s very easy to stagnate in this game.”

He explained that VALORANT’s fast-paced meta evolution often outpaces the ability of static rosters to adapt. Teams can fall into the trap of “hanging on to past glory,” which can hinder growth and lead to complacency.

However, he also acknowledged the difficulty in making roster changes, especially with players he’s worked with for a long time, but believes it's often a necessary step for renewal and progress.

“These guys grew up with me, you know, so it's very hard for me to cut players. But I do think change is good.”

Check out our previous interview with alecks to hear his thoughts on this and other matters as well.

Neilzinho: Stability Builds Stronger Teams If the Culture is Right

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Team Heretics head coach Neilzinho advocates for the power of consistency, but only if the right conditions exist. Speaking after Heretics’ elimination in last place at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025 following a 2-0 loss to Wolves Esports, Neil emphasized that keeping a roster intact can be an asset.

“We're lucky enough to have an amazing bunch of players that all have the same attitude, the same mindset to grow, the same desire to be the best.”

According to him, Heretics built their team on a foundation of high standards in communication, teamplay, and dedication. As long as those expectations are met, there’s no reason to change players.

“We are still one of the most consistent teams in the world, and that’s not easy to achieve. That is a big positive of staying together and learning together and taking the losses and grinding through them.”

When asked about experimenting with a six-man roster, Neil showed little interest. He joked about having assistant coach Brandon "weber" Weber ready to sub in whenever necessary. He instead praised Evil Geniuses’ former model of scrimming internal rosters, a luxury not every organization can afford.

LohaN: Flexibility and Trust Matter Most

Offering a more middle-ground perspective, Team Liquid’s head coach LohaN weighed in after his team’s win over MIBR, which kept their tournament hopes alive in Toronto. While acknowledging the benefits of consistency, LohaN emphasized that mindset and synergy trump roster stability alone.

“In the end of the day, the most important is just to have players that are open to try new things… that are flexible in terms of agents and whatnot.”

LohaN recognized that long-term stability allows teams to build strong fundamentals and “foundations,” but warned that it’s not always enough.

“Today is a perfect example. We played with a different player and it still worked. If everyone is confident in themselves and they have good synergy together, I think we can still work quite well.”

His comments point to a philosophy rooted in adaptability, whether that’s within a static roster or while integrating new players as needed.

Finding the Balance

All three coaches agree that growth is essential, but have different stances on how to achieve it. Neilzinho values stability and grinding through setbacks with a cohesive group. Alecks favors refreshing rosters to prevent stagnation. Though LohaN bridges the two, emphasizing that synergy and open-mindedness matter more than the structure itself.

Each approach has trade-offs: frequent changes can reignite performance but risk disrupting chemistry, whereas consistency fosters trust but may plateau. Ultimately, the right path depends on a team’s culture, goals, and adaptability. In VALORANT, success requires more than mechanics, it takes vision, resilience, and strategic decision-making.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games