Tejo in VCT Kickoff 2025: Pick Rate and Impact across all regions

The recently concluded VCT 2025 Kickoff tournaments provided a fascinating look at the evolving meta, particularly with the introduction of Tejo into competitive play. With varying pick rates across all four regions—China, EMEA, Americas, and Pacific—it’s clear that teams experimented with Tejo in different ways. This article will break down Tejo’s presence in the tournament, analyze its impact, and determine whether it has cemented itself as a staple in professional play.

Tejo’s Overall Pick Rate and Regional Disparities

Across all four regions, a total of 140 maps were played. Tejo was picked in the following number of maps:

• VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Kickoff: 9 (6.4%)
• VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Kickoff: 33 (23.6%)
• VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Kickoff: 36 (25.7%)
• VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Pacific Kickoff: 29 (20.7%)

This data highlights that while Tejo was not universally adopted, it found significantly more playtime in Americas and EMEA, whereas it was less popular in China. Pacific saw moderate usage but did not match the Americas in terms of frequency.

VCT China

Tejo had the lowest pick rate in VCT China, appearing in only 9 out of 140 maps (6.4%). Teams seemed hesitant to integrate Tejo into their strategies, often placing it within compositions that featured Brimstone, Vyse, and Raze.

Key Observations:

• EDward Gaming was the only team to secure multiple wins with Tejo, utilizing it on Bind and Split in combination with Viper and Raze.
• JD Gaming found mixed results, winning with Tejo on Fracture but struggling on Bind.
• The losses from Wolves Esports and Titan Esports Club on Fracture suggest that Tejo might not be well-suited for the Chinese playstyle on that map.

Tejo’s low pick rate in China indicates that teams are not yet convinced of its viability, especially on maps where its utility might be overshadowed by more traditional agents like Breach or Skye.

VCT EMEA

In EMEA, Tejo was picked in 33 out of 140 maps (23.6%), making it a somewhat common choice. Unlike in China, teams in this region seemed more open to testing Tejo across multiple maps.

Key Observations:

• Team Liquid had the highest success rate with Tejo, winning multiple maps on Haven, Fracture, and Pearl.
• Team Heretics and KOI also used Tejo frequently, securing wins on maps like Fracture and Pearl.
• Fnatic and Natus Vincere both experimented with Tejo but had mixed results.

Common Agent Pairings:

• Astra & Omen
• Breach
• Yoru & Vyse

VCT Americas

The Americas led the charge in integrating Tejo into their compositions, featuring it in 36 out of 140 maps (25.7%). This region saw the most successful implementation of Tejo, with several teams securing wins using its utility.

Key Observations:

• Cloud9 and Sentinels were the most consistent users of Tejo, with both teams picking it across multiple maps like Lotus, Split, and Pearl.
• LOUD, G2 Esports, and 100 Thieves also found success incorporating Tejo into their strategies.
• FURIA and NRG used Tejo aggressively, but results were inconsistent.

Common Agent Pairings:

• Breach & Brimstone
• Vyse & Astra
• Raze & Yoru

VCT Pacific

Tejo was picked in 29 out of 140 maps (20.7%) in VCT Pacific, showing moderate usage. However, results were inconsistent, with some teams struggling to make the agent work in their compositions.

Key Observations:

• DRX and T1 used Tejo the most, but their results were mixed. DRX won several games using Tejo on Bind, Abyss, and Fracture, but also suffered losses.
• BOOM Esports and ZETA DIVISION picked Tejo for a few maps but did not secure wins.

Common Agent Pairings:

• Brimstone & Astra
• Raze & Neon
• Breach & Cypher.

Key Takeaways: Tejo’s Impact on the VCT Kickoff 2025 Meta

Tejo’s introduction to the professional meta in VCT Kickoff 2025 saw varied adoption across regions. While it didn’t achieve an overwhelming pick rate compared to other Initiators such as Sova and Breach, it was still tested extensively, particularly in Americas and EMEA. Below is a more detailed breakdown of how each region approached Tejo and what we can learn from its impact.

1. Americas Led the Way in Tejo Adoption

Americas teams seemed to recognize Tejo’s adaptability across multiple maps, incorporating it effectively on Split, Pearl, and Fracture. Sentinels, in particular, had a high number of games with Tejo, demonstrating their confidence in the agent. The high win rate associated with Tejo in this region suggests that it has a defined role within Americas’ strategic meta, making it a likely fixture in upcoming tournaments.

2. VCT EMEA Showed Cautious but Growing Interest in Tejo

One of the more interesting aspects of Tejo’s use in EMEA was the variety of team compositions it was included in. Unlike in Americas, where it was frequently paired with Breach and Brimstone, EMEA teams experimented with Astra, Cypher, Vyse, and even Yoru in certain situations. While this flexibility is promising, the mixed win rates suggest that EMEA teams are still refining how best to utilize Tejo.

If more teams start to standardize Tejo’s role within their setups, it could see an increased pick rate in future tournaments.

3. VCT Pacific’s Tejo Usage Was Inconsistent

VCT Pacific had a moderate pick rate, but the results were highly inconsistent. This inconsistency suggests that the Pacific meta has yet to fully integrate Tejo. The region is known for its fast-paced, explosive playstyles, and while Tejo’s utility can be valuable, it may not fit seamlessly into the aggressive team compositions favored by Pacific squads.

If teams refine their setups and find better synergies, Tejo’s impact in this region could grow over time.

4. China Remained Hesitant in Embracing Tejo

Tejo’s low pick rate in China indicates that teams are not yet convinced of its viability, especially on maps where its utility might be overshadowed by more traditional agents like Breach or Skye. Most of the teams that picked Tejo—EDG, JDG, and Wolves—had limited success, with only a few wins scattered across different maps. While EDG managed to find some victories with Tejo on Split and Bind, the overall results suggest that Chinese teams remain skeptical of its effectiveness.

For Tejo to gain traction in China, teams will need to see clear and repeated success from top teams in other regions. If Americas and EMEA continue to show strong results with the agent, Chinese teams may be more willing to experiment in future events.

Tejo’s Best Agent Pairings and Map Success

While Tejo was used in different ways across regions, certain trends emerged in terms of agent pairings and map viability:

• Best Controller Pairings: Astra & Omen were frequently picked alongside Tejo for coordinated executes and defensive setups.
• Best Initiator Pairings: Breach & Skye complemented Tejo’s utility, allowing for better flash-heavy engages.
• Most Common Duelists: Raze & Yoru were frequently paired with Tejo, adding explosive entry potential.
• Best Maps for Tejo: Fracture, Split, Pearl, and Bind had the highest success rates for teams using Tejo.

If Masters Bangkok sees continued success with Tejo with the Americas and EMEA teams, other regions may be more inclined to adapt and incorporate it into their meta. However, if the mixed results persist, Tejo may remain a niche pick rather than a staple agent.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games