Dragon Ranger Gaming reclaim VCT China spot with 2025 Ascension triumph

The VALORANT scene in China has once again crowned a familiar champion. Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) have emerged victorious at VCT Ascension China 2025, reclaiming their place in the VCT China league for 2026 after a dominant playoff run. The team’s victory marks a powerful return to the top following their relegation post-Champs, and it once again came at the expense of perennial finalists Rare Atom, who fell short for a third consecutive year.

DRG’s Road to Redemption

Held from October 11 to 19, 2025 in Shanghai, Ascension China brought together eight of the best Challenger-level teams in the country. Each had fought their way through the domestic circuit to earn a shot at promotion into the prestigious VCT China League, except for DRG, who had narrowly missed out on keeping their slot.

For DRG, the tournament was about redemption as much as competition. The team had originally earned their VCT China slot by winning Ascension China 2023, where they stunned the region with an aggressive, high-tempo playstyle. However, the VALORANT promotion and relegation system introduced for the 2025 season meant that only one of the two Ascension-promoted teams could retain their spot in the league. When Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) — the 2024 Ascension winners — reach further at VALORANT Champions Paris, DRG were relegated to make room for the winners of this year’s Ascension.

That relegation stung especially since they’d played Champions without vo0kashu, who was crowned best Sentinel in China and one of the team’s most consistent players. But instead of giving up, DRG entered the 2025 Ascension event determined to prove they belonged in the top division.

The Ascension Shanghai Campaign

The group stage saw DRG dominate their games versus domestic names such as Zhu Chao Gaming and Thunder Gaming. They advanced confidently into the playoffs, dropping no maps across their group matches. Once in the double-elimination bracket, DRG’s cohesion and experience began to shine.

In the upper bracket, DRG swept through their opposition before meeting Rare Atom in the grand final. The best-of-five series was expected to be closely contested, but DRG were untouchable on the day. They closed the series 3-0 with map scores of 13-4 on Corrode, 13-10 on Sunset, and a stunning 13-1 on Bind. It was a statement performance, the kind that left no doubt about their readiness to return to VCT China.

For Rare Atom, the loss was heartbreakingly familiar. The organization has now reached the Ascension China grand final three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), falling short every time. Despite their consistency and domestic strength, the trophy and the coveted promotion to VCT China continues to elude them.

Why This Title Matters

DRG’s victory carries immense weight, both for the team and for the broader VCT China ecosystem. This triumph underscores the importance of roster stability and long-term development, with the squad now boasting two Ascension titles in three years — a record unmatched in any VCT region. The victory reshapes the balance of power within VCT China heading into 2026. DRG’s return maintains another proven competitor capable of challenging established names. It also puts pressure on other organizations, including Rare Atom, to break through or risk another year outside the spotlight.

Rare Atom’s Ongoing Struggle

For Rare Atom, Ascension 2025 was another painful reminder of how thin the margins are at the top. Their consistent ability to reach finals proves they are among China’s most disciplined and well-structured teams. Yet, the inability to close out a title in three straight attempts has become a storyline of its own. Analysts have suggested that while RA’s fundamentals are strong, their mid-series adaptations and clutch factor remain areas for growth.

Despite the disappointment, Rare Atom’s continued presence in the Challenger scene makes them a favorite to contend again in 2026 — though the mental hurdle of repeated near-misses may weigh heavily.

The VCT China 2026 Lineup

With DRG’s victory, the full VCT China 2026 roster is now set. The twelve participating teams include ten partnered organizations and two Ascension winners:

Looking Ahead

Dragon Ranger Gaming’s journey from relegation to redemption is one of perseverance and belief. Their success reinforces the effectiveness of Riot’s Ascension system while adding another chapter to China’s evolving VALORANT story. As DRG prepare to return to the VCT China League in 2026, fans can expect the rivalry between them and the long-standing partnered teams to define 2026. For now, though, DRG stand alone at the top of China’s Ascension, champions once again, and ready to prove they belong among the best.