Cloud9 Valorant, the North American team, secured a notable victory in its first match following a major roster overhaul during the offseason. The team faced off against Moist x Shopify (MxS), a collaboration between two prominent brands, at the Red Bull Double Agent tournament.
While the Red Bull Double Agent tournament wasn’t regarded as seriously as a major VCT (Valorant Champions Tour) match, Cloud9 managed to secure a win against MxS. This merger of brands, Moist and Shopify, resulted in the formation of a Valorant Challengers team. Despite some major disruptions causing stoppages in the match, Cloud9 emerged victorious, much to the delight of their fans.
ain't no way he got captcha'd in VALORANT 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/MUQDZcTGx8
— Cloud9 VALORANT (@C9VAL) October 3, 2023
The event was overseen by popular streamer and content creator Ludwig Ahgren, who was joined by Joseph “Mang0” Manuel Marquez. Their presence added an entertaining element to the competition, which, while less formal, still attracted a considerable viewership.
Cloud9 Valorant New Roster Strategy
Cloud9 showcased its revamped roster during the tournament, with nearly every player taking on the role of a duelist, except for in-game leader Anthony “Vanity” Malaspina. The team underwent substantial changes in the offseason, particularly with the acquisition of the former G2 Esports core, consisting of Maxim “wippie” Shepelev, Francis “OXY” Hoang, and head coach Ian “Immi” Harding. Vanity returned as the in-game leader, and two players from the previous roster, Jake Anderson and Erick “Xeppaa” Bach, were retained.
MxS: A Blend of Moist Moguls and Shopify Rebellion
MxS, on the other hand, comprised players from both Moist Moguls and Shopify Rebellion. The roster includes core members from Moist Moguls: Xavier “flyuh” Carlson, Brady “thief” Dever, and Brock “brawk” Somerhalder, along with two players from Shopify Rebellion: Adam “mada” Pampuch and Victor “v1c” Truong. The team is poised to compete in Challengers next year, aiming to qualify for the Americas-partnered league through Ascension.
Cloud9 Valorant Path Forward
Cloud9 Valorant, in contrast, has secured a spot in the Americas league, as Riot selected them as one of the participating organizations. Both Challengers and the partnered leagues are expected to resume next year, promising more thrilling Valorant action.
The Red Bull Double Agent tournament served as a platform for these teams to showcase their revamped rosters and strategies, offering fans a taste of what’s to come in the competitive Valorant scene.
