VCT Kickoff Chaos: Fnatic, Paper Rex, and other giants fail to make Masters Bangkok
As the regional VCT Kickoff tournaments progress, we have already witnessed some shocking upsets. However, among the surprises, two of the biggest names in VALORANT—Fnatic and Paper Rex—have failed to qualify for VCT 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025, the first international tournament of 2025. This marks a significant moment in the competitive scene, as these teams have been international powerhouses in recent years.
Fnatic’s Struggles Continue
For Fnatic, missing out on Masters Bangkok is another bitter disappointment. This is now the second consecutive time they have failed to qualify for a post-Kickoff international tournament, after also missing out on VCT 2024 - Masters Madrid. This marks their third missed international LAN overall, with the first being TEC Challenger Series - #2 in 2021.
Despite their previous dominance—winning VCT 2023 - LOCK//IN and VCT 2023 - Masters Tokyo—Fnatic’s performances in international events have taken a downturn. While they did qualify for both VCT 2024 - Masters Shanghai and VCT 2024 - Champions 2024, their performances left much to be desired. This latest setback only adds to the growing concern that Fnatic may be struggling to maintain their once-feared status in the global VALORANT scene.
Paper Rex’s First Miss Since 2021
Unlike Fnatic, Paper Rex’s absence from Masters Bangkok marks their first international miss in nearly four years. The last time the Pacific titans failed to qualify for an international event was VCT 2021 - Stage 2 - Masters Reykjavík.
The core of the team—Khalish "d4v41" Rusyaidee, Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto, Aaron "mindfreak" Leonhart, and coach Alex "alecks" Salle—experienced a similar heartbreak back then, making this failure particularly painful. Their elimination came at the hands of DetonatioN FocusMe in the lower bracket, after initially being sent down by T1. For a team that has long been a dominant force in the Pacific region, this early exit raises questions about their form heading into the rest of the 2025 season.
More Big Names Miss Out
Fnatic and Paper Rex are not the only big teams missing from Masters Bangkok. Over in VCT 2025 - Americas Kickoff, several other prominent organizations have also failed to qualify.
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NRG continued their downward spiral despite bringing back former Masters-winning IGL Pujan "FNS" Mehta and Sam "s0m" Oh. After failing to qualify for any international tournaments in 2024, their woes persist in 2025. Their campaign ended after they eliminated 100 Thieves, only to be sent home themselves by KRÜ Esports.
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100 Thieves had high expectations retaining most of their roster from 2024. However, after being pushed into the lower bracket by Sentinels, their fate was sealed by NRG. While this result is disappointing, they might find solace in the fact that NRG were also met with a similar fate.
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Evil Geniuses, once crowned VALORANT Champions in 2023, have been a shadow of their former selves. With most of their title-winning roster having departed, EG have struggled to find stability. Just like NRG, they failed to qualify for any international tournaments in 2024, and their 2025 season has started on the same note.
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LOUD, another team at the pinnacle of VALORANT Esports, have also fallen far from their initial glory days. With their iconic IGL Matias "Saadhak" Delipetro moving over to EMEA, LOUD are also continuing their poor form from 2024. Their Kickoff run was also cut short by KRU.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
These early results offer only a glimpse into what the 2025 season might hold. While the absence of these teams from Masters Bangkok is surprising, it’s important to remember that form is only temporary. Fnatic, for instance, bounced back in 2024 by winning VCT EMEA Stage 1 after missing out on Madrid. With the talent and experience these teams possess, a comeback is always possible.
The VALORANT competitive landscape is as unpredictable as ever. While the absence of these teams is a significant blow, it also opens the door for new teams to rise. As the season progresses, these setbacks could serve as motivation for the fallen giants to reclaim their dominance. After all, in the world of esports, resilience often defines greatness.
Stay tuned to THESPIKE for more news and coverage on future VALORANT updates, and on the 2025 VALORANT Season.
Featured Image Source: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games
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