NRG s0m announces temporary break from competition

It’s a moment that few veteran players face with intention, but Sam “s0m” Oh has confirmed he will be stepping away from active professional play, at least for the foreseeable future. In a blog post and video announcement, s0m said that after his recent success with NRG, he is taking a break to focus on other projects and life beyond the grind, though he made clear this is not a retirement: “I will be taking a break. Definitely not forever.”

From CS to VALORANT: The Early Years

Sam “s0m” Oh originally made his name in Counter-Strike before transitioning to VALORANT. After switching, he joined NRG’s VALORANT roster in October 2020 as their duelist when the organization entered the scene, but quickly became a team player, picking up a wide variety of agents. Even at Champions Paris, he was able to make agents like Harbor, who no one else opted for, look intuitive and make a difference.

In the early years, s0m established himself as a key figure in NRG’s lineup — known for his controller play, clutch potential, and veteran composure amidst evolving metas. His adaptation to VALORANT’s pace, agents, and his team skills allowed him to become one of the most reliable North American players in his role.

NRG Era: Major Results & Highlights

During his time with NRG, s0m contributed to a number of major results and playoff runs. While NRG did not immediately dominate the global scene, the team steadily improved and achieved some key placements:

• In 2023, NRG placed 2nd in the VCT Americas League Playoffs and reached the top four at Masters Tokyo.
• They competed at Valorant Champions 2023, finishing 9th-12th.
• Into 2025, NRG reached new heights: they secured a slot at Champions 2025 and went on to win the Grand Final despite a rocky start to the beginning of the year.

These achievements highlight s0m’s growth and the team’s ascent on the global stage. In the 2025 season alone, s0m’s match record shows deep runs and high-stakes series at major international events.

His contributions to NRG are more than just in the game server; Ethan and his other team mates have made it clear that his optimism, the way he motivates the team, and the fact that he never gave up over all this time as key reasons for their Champions victory this year.

A Break, Not Goodbye

In his announcement, s0m clearly framed the decision as a break rather than a full retirement. He explained that after many years of competition — including nearly ten years as a competitive FPS player — the time felt right to step down from the active roster and focus on content creation and other life areas.

He emphasised:

“I’ve been doing it since I was 14 … I think that with the recent Champions win, what better time than now to kinda just take a break.”

The plaudits poured in from his NRG teammates.

Skuba: “haven’t known you for long @s0mcs but you’re one of a kind and i consider you family now. go take over twitch brother.”

Ethan: “I had the privilege of being here for your whole career. From watching you throw AWP’s away in FPL, to competing against you in CS, to playing with and against you plenty of times in Val, and finally to accomplishing our biggest goal together of winning Champs this year. I’m so thankful I got to make all these memories with you over the years, maybe down the line we can even make more”

Mada: “We stood on top of the world together, we’ll all miss you but you already know that. Until next time my friend”

Brawk: “Thanks @s0mcs for being such and amazing teammate from the very start. Good luck with whatever comes next.”

Coach bonkar: “Thank you for this year @s0mcs, I am so happy that I got to know you. I still wish I had more time with you. Truly a real friend. You deserve all the best. Ciao ciao”

NRG confirmed his status: he is being removed from the active roster as they prepare for the 2026 VCT season, but the organisation noted the door remains open should s0m wish to return.

S0m Legacy and What’s Next

S0m leaves behind a strong legacy within NRG and the broader VALORANT community. His consistent presence during the team’s rise, his ability to evolve with the meta, and his competitive maturity stand out. Looking ahead, s0m has indicated his next focus will be on streaming and content creation, while still keeping his connection to competitive scene via NRG. He emphasises that returning is not off the table, with his break “definitely” not to last forever.

For NRG, his departure opens a new chapter. They will continue into the 2026 season without his active participation, but will always count on his experience and influence off-stage. This pause marks a turning point in his career — but one that he frames as intentional and measured, not abrupt or forced. In his X post, he said, “I love you guys until next time, one last time from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.”