In one of the most explosive debuts in VALORANT history, NRG’s young star Brock “brawk” Somerhalder delivered a performance for the ages at VALORANT Champions 2025. Not only did he help bring NRG their first world championship, but he did so in dominant fashion by picking up the MVP award at his first-ever international event.
Armed with perhaps one of the most frowned-upon yet underused weapons in pro play: the Odin, Brawk redefined what a “support” player can achieve on the biggest stage, terrorizing teams with wallbangs, chain kills, and unmatched consistency across almost every map of the tournament.
NRG’s Unstoppable Journey at VALORANT Champions Paris
NRG entered Champions Paris as dark horses, drawn into a tough group alongside DRX, Edward Gaming, and GIANTX. Led by veteran IGL Ethan, the North American squad quickly silenced any doubts. They opened their campaign with a 2–0 sweep of EDG, followed by a gritty 2–1 win over DRX to qualify for playoffs atop their group.
In the playoffs, NRG’s run was a masterclass in adaptation and composure. They dismantled GX 2–0 in the upper bracket quarterfinals, then defeated MIBR in a tense 2–1 semifinal that featured multiple overtime rounds and highlight plays from both Ethan and mada. The momentum carried into their upper final, where NRG stunned Fnatic 2–0 to reach their first Champions grand final.
NRG’s journey was fueled by tactical discipline and a fearless approach to mid-round fights. Ethan’s leadership provided structure, while players like mada and skuba consistently opened rounds with impactful duels. But the true X-factor was brawk, who turned defense into offense with his oppressive Odin play.
In the grand final rematch against Fnatic, NRG showcased their preparation advantage through the double map-ban system. By removing their weakest maps, Haven and Bind, they forced the series into their comfort zone. On Corrode and Lotus, Brawk’s utility usage and mechanical dominance proved unstoppable — racking up over 35+ kills across the first two maps alone as NRG jumped to a 2–0 lead.
Although Fnatic fought back to force a fifth map, NRG closed the series on Sunset with a 13–5 win. Ethan lifted the Champions trophy for a second time in his career, but all eyes were on the 21-year-old rookie beside him. Brawk had the best stats in the grand final, with 84 frags, an ACS of 234, 7 first kills, and a +23 kill differential.
The Reign of the Brawk Odin
If 2025 was the year of the Odin, then brawk was its undisputed king. His precision and understanding of the weapon went far beyond simple spray control — it was psychological warfare. Enemies hesitated to push through smokes or walls knowing that one stray pixel could mean instant death. He was also able to hold angles half hidden by walls to spam his way through his opponents.
Statistically, Brawk’s command of the Odin was unmatched. According to Riot’s official post-Champions report, he recorded 135 Odin picks over 275 rounds, giving him a 49% pick rate — more than triple that of the next highest player, G2’s JonahP, at just 13%. His sheer comfort with the weapon was clear: it wasn’t a gimmick, it was his identity.
Even before Champions, Brawk’s Odin usage had been trending upward. During VCT Americas Stage 2, he already topped the leaderboard with 98 Odin picks across 568 rounds (17% pick rate), once again much ahead of other players like GE Kr1stal and Leviatán’s C0M. What made his rise at Champions so astounding was how that number skyrocketed, turning what was once a situational weapon into a staple of NRG’s strategy.
“Yeah, I think the Odin takes a lot of work to get good with. You really have to put in time — it’s not one of those guns you can just pick up and use. It feels like a completely different game when you have it. You have to peek differently, move differently. I think the gun is good, but it’s not overpowered or anything. The difference is that not enough people know how to use it yet, and that’s why I’m getting so much value compared to others,” said Brawk in an interview with Pedro Romero.
NRG’s setups often revolved around his positioning. Using the Odin on Corrode and Lotus, brawk controlled entire bombsites with a single angle, punishing utility and crossfires with unrelenting pressure. His damage per round (ADR) across the tournament sat at over 180, while his average combat score consistently exceeded 250 whenever he wielded the Odin.
At Champions Paris, his defining moment came in the grand final’s opening map, Corrode, where he posted 375 ACS and a +17 kill differential — shredding Fnatic’s executes and setting the tone for NRG’s title run.
From Tier Two Star to World Champion
Brawk’s rapid rise is made even more impressive when you trace his path through the North American Tier 2 ecosystem.
Before joining NRG, brawk spent two years grinding through NA Challengers under the Moist Esports banner. Alongside now-NRG teammate mada, he helped Moist consistently reach the upper echelons of competition, only to narrowly miss out on Ascension qualification twice. In both 2023 and 2024, Moist advanced to the upper bracket finals of the NA Challengers Playoffs — each time falling just short of the finish line and finishing in third place.
Champions Paris marked brawk’s first appearance on the international stage, but his composure made him look like a veteran. Across 17 maps at the event, he posted a positive kill-death ratio in every single one — a rare feat even among elite pros.
MVP at His First International Event
When the dust settled in Paris, the MVP announcement came as no surprise. Riot’s panel praised Brawk’s consistency, impact, and innovation throughout the tournament. He finished Champions with an overall ACS of 259, one of the highest in the event, and a K/D of 1.29 — numbers rarely achieved by a player primarily anchoring on defense.
Brawk reflected on his approach to the Odin, saying, “Honestly, it even surprises me sometimes how consistent it’s been. No matter if it’s domestic or international, it just feels the same. Right now, I think teams just don’t know how to deal with it. It’s really hard for them to get practice against it, because no other player uses it the way I do. So they just don’t know how to play against it.”
That philosophy defined his play throughout Champions 2025. While others hesitated to use unconventional tools, Brawk embraced them, turning the Odin into a weapon of precision and control. In a year that saw veterans like Boaster, MaKo, and crashies chase the elusive Champions title, it was a 21-year-old rookie who stole the spotlight. From the Tier 2 grind of NA Challengers to the world’s biggest stage, brawk’s journey is a testament to resilience and innovation.
With a trophy, an MVP medal, and the unofficial title of “Odin King,” brawk has cemented himself as one of VALORANT’s brightest stars — and a player who redefined how a weapon once overlooked as an annoyance could become the centerpiece of a world champion’s arsenal.
