Players that currently choose not to compete but could play at a T2 level and possibly have a shot at playing T1. I haven’t watched him in a while but I think Codey’s mechanics are T1 level

Yes, you read the title correctly. In all likelihood, MIBR will make this announcement in the next few days before facing LEV in what will likely prove to be the most unexpected clout match of Split 2.

Evidence: I initially posted detailing ShahZam’s statement that he’ll be joining a T1 team, and as a throwaway I mentioned that perhaps he’s joining KRÜ.

However, commented that ShahZam and Inspire will both join MIBR as subs, and here was his evidence.

, Inspire stated that he was approached by the same team ShahZam was and that they’ll be facing a “decent” opponent during the first week of Split 2. (Sorry that the vid can only be accessed if you’re subbed to his channel.) Together with that, Inspire changed his player card to MIBR’s. (While this may be him trolling, Inspire seems to make his team skin and player card at least somewhat sensitive to how these orgs have treated him in the past. Note that he was rocking the EG card and classic when it’s public knowledge that he almost made their team).

So, taking these comments together, we need a team that (1) needs several substitutes fast, (2) has starters who are out for an indefinite amount of time, and (3) are facing a decent team in their first week.

MIBR fits that profile, and , therefore satisfying (1) and (2). And they’re also facing LEV, which qualifies as a decent team, satisfying (3).

Analysis: this makes sense for all parties involved. Lots of the top T2 talent are in the midst of vying for Ascension, so it doesn’t make sense for them to loan a player when it will be detrimental to their T1 aspirations. Also, even if there were T2 players in Brazil who they could get, they’d face similar VISA issues. So they need whatever players they can get, and there just aren’t many former T1 pros who are waiting around to be picked up. Most of them have transitioned entirely away from the Valorant competitive scene or are on a T2 team vying for T1.

Further, ShahZam and Inspire have both desired to get back into the very competitive T1 Valorant space for some time with few opportunities to do so. While this situation certainly isn’t ideal for either of them, it’s still a low-stakes/high-upside shot for them to prove that they belong—after all, they should lose because not only are they on what was the worst team in Split 1 of Americas, but they’ll have no scrim time together. But imagine if they actually win.

If this is happening, it is also hilarious. ShahZam and Inspire went from beefing to VCT teammates, and this might not even be the most scuffed Valorant roster ShahZam has been a part of (anyone remember Dani and Rawkus as last second fill-ins versus Optic).

Edit: So, uh, ShahZam just confirmed that he will not be playing with Inspire, which opens everything up in terms of where he could go.

Starting with BBL’s 8-0 lead on defense side of lotus today…

What are some other noteworthy leads that resulted in a loss?

Let me explain.

Of course it would be better if worlds had a wildcard so that we could see both KC and Oxygen at worlds, and it's really unfortunate that we can't see both, because they both deserve worlds.

But, if it HAS to be only one of the two, out of all the different dividing lines OQ 6 could've given us, the line being at top 2 is, in my opinion the best one. It's difficult enough to make oxygen the clear underdogs, yet it managed to be JUST possible enough to be a genuine possibility.

If the dividing line was top 8, it would seem too easy, and it wouldn't be exciting. If it was top 4, it would feel like oxygen would just need one quality win in their QFs, which just wouldn't feel like sufficient proof that oxygen deserve the spot more. If the line was to win London, it would be too unlikely to feel like a genuine possibility.

But top 2 is in that sweet spot. Hard enough to prove oxygen's worthiness, yet just barely achievable enough to be an incredibly exciting storyline to watch.

Oxygen have 1 chance. No Mikey bracket will get them top 2 in the scene's current state. The only thing oxygen can do is play their hearts out. No more excuses, no more delays. It's now or never.

Combine all of this with the fact that Joyo is looking to eliminate his former teammates from worlds makes it even better.

If oxygen pull it off, it would be hard to argue that they didnt earn the spot. If they don't pull it off, they had their chance.

Good luck, oxygen. Let's see you guys pull it off!

Season 11 is around the corner and seems that there is no anticipation about the balance changes that will take place.

This could be a really important season for the well known “Tank issue” and also for the usual big changes they do at the start of a new season.

Am I missing smth? Or they really will keep all the changes hidden until the very last moment?