Riot Games' attempt to balance regions and talent for the initial stages of the Valorant Champions Tournament (VCT) 2023 has not gone as planned. Despite introducing a new draw system to avoid similar region teams being put in the same group, the eSports organizer could not avert the formation of one of the strongest groups in international event history - dubbed the 'group of death'.
Riot Games concluded the Last Chance Qualifiers recently, finalizing the teams set to compete in VCT Champions 2023. The official draw for the group stages took place on July 23, revealing the tough matchups that lie ahead. The draw system, first showcased at Masters Tokyo earlier this year, was designed to prevent two teams from the same region from ending up in the same group. However, it appears that even this system could not stop the formation of the formidable ‘group of death.’
The new 2023 draw system operates by drawing groups from start to finish with the aim to not have two teams from the same region in the same group. If the draw results in such a scenario, the team in question is moved to the next available slot. This strategy was put in place to ensure fairness and balance in the tournament, giving every team a fair shot at the title.
However, despite these preventive measures, the new draw system has seemingly failed to prevent the creation of a ‘group of death’. This has led to increased anticipation and excitement among fans, who are eager to see how these powerful teams will compete against each other in the upcoming tournament.
The Valorant Champions Tournament 2023 is set to be one of the most thrilling eSports events of the year, thanks to the strong competition and the unexpected outcome of the draw. While Riot Games' new system aimed at ensuring balanced competition, it seems that the unpredictability of sports has once again prevailed, promising an exciting tournament ahead.
We'd love to hear what you think about the new draw system and the resulting ‘group of death’. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.