China has long been touted as a potential powerhouse in the Valorant esports scene due to its vast fanbase and talented players. However, it has yet to fulfill that promise.
In their initial appearances at Valorant Champions 2022 and VCT LOCK//IN, Chinese teams went 0-4 and didn’t make a significant impact, only serving to demystify a previously isolated region due to governmental restrictions.
Masters Tokyo marked a turning point, with EDward Gaming (EDG) achieving the region’s first notable series wins and placing in the top six. Despite this success, EDG and other Chinese teams have struggled to advance beyond the early stages of international competitions.
VCT Masters Shanghai presents an ideal opportunity for China to alter its trajectory and fulfill its potential. EDG, FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), and Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) will compete with home-court advantage, bolstered by an entire split of improvement and diverse playstyles.
Chinese Valorant teams are known for their aggressive play, engaging enemies with abandon and utilizing abilities like Sova darts to gain an advantage. This identity has persisted even with the introduction of the VCT China League.
British caster and content creator Ryan ‘RyanCentral’ Horton likens watching VCT China to “Saturday morning cartoons,” praising the teams’ high-octane and sometimes chaotic gameplay. He encourages Valorant fans to approach the tournament with an open mind, especially given the region’s past underperformance.
Despite struggles at Masters Madrid, EDG has dominated domestically, with standout performances from Zhang ‘Smoggy’ Zhao in late-round scenarios. FPX has shown significant improvement, particularly through Liang ‘Lysoar’ Youhao and IGL Chang ‘BerLIN’ Po-lin’s strategic mastery. DRG has made remarkable progress, akin to G2 Esports’ rise in VCT Americas, thanks to strong team chemistry and key players like Russian Sentinel Ilya ‘vo0kashu’ Ushakov.
Ali ‘Swerl’ Kobraee from Nova Esports believes FPX will make it to the playoffs, sees EDG as a strong contender, and predicts DRG will cause upsets in the Swiss Stage.
The home advantage could be a double-edged sword. While the crowd’s support will boost the teams, the pressure to perform could be overwhelming. RyanCentral notes that the cultural expectations and potential backlash from fans could impact players like Zheng ‘ZmjjKK’ Yongkang.
Nonetheless, the passionate and engaging Chinese fans are expected to bring high energy to the tournament. This event offers Chinese teams a chance to prove themselves and possibly redefine their standing in the Valorant scene. Despite some skepticism, such as 100 Thieves’ Kelden ‘Boostio’ Pupello’s low expectations for Chinese teams, the significance of competing on home turf cannot be underestimated.
DRG’s emotional qualification for Shanghai underscores the importance of this event for Chinese teams. RyanCentral advises keeping expectations realistic to avoid undue pressure, yet acknowledges that this tournament could be pivotal in establishing China as a top region in Valorant esports.
The VCT Masters Shanghai is a critical opportunity for Chinese Valorant teams to make a lasting impact, potentially claiming a trophy on home ground and solidifying their place in the global esports landscape. Underestimating Chinese Valorant at this juncture could be a grave mistake.