Xeppaa steps back from competitive VALORANT, Cloud9 begin trials for replacement
The situation first came to light when Cloud9 announced that Xeppaa would not be starting for the upcoming Esports World Cup Qualifier, with assistant coach Veer stepping in to fill his spot. The unexpected lineup change sparked immediate speculation from the community, prompting the organization to issue an official clarification on X.
"Erick has expressed to us that he wants to take a break from competing at this time. We fully support his personal decision and are incredibly thankful for everything he's provided for the team over the years."
The organization also confirmed that while Xeppaa remains on the roster, they have begun trialing potential replacements around their EWC 2026 qualifier matches.
Xeppaa Speaks Out
Xeppaa followed up with a heartfelt statement of his own, shedding light on the personal reasoning behind his decision. The player revealed he had been contemplating a break for some time but struggled to find the right moment to raise it with the team.
"After the split ended with penny and v1c leaving, I realized that I really needed a break and told the team."
In the meantime, Xeppaa says he plans to focus on streaming while things settle on the roster front.
His words for Cloud9 and its founder Jack Etienne were especially warm. "C9's been really great to me over the years and it still doesn't feel real," he admitted, before thanking his teammates, staff, and fans for their support throughout his journey.
A Team in Transition
Xeppaa's break arrives at a turbulent period for Cloud9. The team recently underwent a significant structural reshuffle following the departures of Erik "penny" Penny and Victor "v1c" Truong, with Jack "Jackk" Foote and Jaden "Notexxd" Anderson brought in as replacements. The back-to-back roster changes paint a picture of an organization actively rebuilding its identity heading into the remainder of the 2026 season.
Having assistant coach Wyatt "Veer" Blevins slot into the starting lineup for the EWC qualifier matches underscores just how much upheaval the team is navigating simultaneously. Finding a permanent replacement who fits both tactically and culturally will be a key challenge as Cloud9 push through their campaign.
Looking Ahead
Xeppaa's departure, even if temporary, closes a meaningful chapter for Cloud9. His tenure with the organization spanned years of roster iterations, tournament runs, and the broader growth of North American VALORANT. Whether this break evolves into a permanent farewell remains to be seen, but for now, both player and organization appear to be parting on genuinely positive terms, with Cloud9 promising a proper farewell should the situation call for one.
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Featured Image Source: Stefan Wisnoski/Riot Games
I'm Kaustavmani Choudhury, or KC for short, or Zaibatsu, if you want. I'm an esports writer and enthusiast who's been working in the scene for 2 years now. Covering a range of games such as Counter-Strike, VALORANT and Rainbow Six Siege, among others, I believe I bring my own blend of expertise, storytelling, and insights into the world of Esports.
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