Paper Rex survive Stage 1 scare, season far from a disaster just yet

Fan favorites Paper Rex were the Pacific powerhouse on the VALORANT Champions Tour in recent years, attending global event after global event and claiming numerous regional titles, but their early exit in Kickoff and disastrous start to Stage 1 meant that they were on the verge of blowing the majority of 2025. However, things might be taking a turn for the better nowadays.

The core of d4v41, f0rsakeN, mindfreak, and Jinggg have stayed together since 2021, excluding the latter’s short military stint last year, and have found success through much of that period. They became one of the most popular VCT organisations in the process and still hold an immense fanbase.

Kickoff alone not panic-worthy

Their start to 2025 was underwhelming. The team’s short-lived Kickoff run only saw them gain victory over ZETA DIVISION, while losses to T1 and DetonatioN FocusMe earned them an early exit. 

With Kickoff’s format meaning that two losses would guarantee being knocked out, PRX’s elimination can, to a small extent, be explained away. The loss to T1 is not at all disastrous given that the Korean side would later finish 2nd in the tournament before subsequently winning Masters Bangkok. Add to that the fact that the third map was a close 11-13 defeat, suggesting it could’ve easily gone in PRX’s favour on another day, and that result could even be used as proof that Paper Rex really was a strong side.

Then, one bad day at the office against DFM and they were out, though the 13-1 map two loss that confirmed their elimination was tough to justify.

Despite there having been context that can suggest that Kickoff wasn’t a panic-worthy disaster, Paper Rex opted to add former NOAS flex player PatMen to the lineup as a sixth man. His capability of playing both Initiator and Duelist roles adds flexibility for the side, while his joining as an extra pair of hands means that their existing core stars can still remain if they perform up to par. A sensible pickup to add to the tools at PRX’s disposal ahead of VCT Pacific Stage 1.

Okay, now we can panic

While Paper Rex’s stock had fallen after Kickoff, few would’ve expected their Stage 1 run to start as poorly as it did. Once again the team had shown positives, taking a map off all opponents, but that meant very little when all three opening matches ended in defeats. But the group draw has done them no favours.

An opening loss to Kickoff winners DRX didn’t raise too many alarm bells. DRX’s Hyunmin even told Hotspawn after the game that he still saw Paper Rex as “one of the top teams in Pacific”.

That was followed up by another defeat, this time to Gen.G. The side finished third in Kickoff and still holds parts of the elite 2024 roster that won Masters Shanghai last year. Yet again, while not desired, a 2-1 loss was understandable.

What should’ve been an easier game on paper was PRX’s third series against Ascension slot-holders BOOM Esports. BOOM entered VCT this year and made their debut with a short-lived Kickoff run that saw them eliminated after two straight defeats. Nobody then expected their incredible turnaround for Stage 1 which saw them win 5/5 group matches, including a victory over Paper Rex, to qualify for playoffs with ease.

For Paper Rex, three defeats in a row, with their own context or not, meant that they were on the brink of exiting Stage 1 early. Perceived opponent strength meant nothing to the scoreboard. Elimination in the group stage would’ve seen Paper Rex forced to sit out of competition until Stage 2 in July, giving them a roughly three-month break while guaranteeing that more than half of the season had already passed them by with nothing to show for it.

Victory crucial

Despite the precarious position they found themselves in, Paper Rex still had a chance to stave off embarrassment with two remaining matches in which they remained favourites.

Firstly, a rematch with DetonatioN FocusMe went the distance, though PRX were able to get revenge for the loss during Kickoff. They made sure to keep the drama at a maximum while doing so by going to overtime in the third map, winning 15-13 to keep their group stage run alive. 

That win meant that another victory against GE would secure a playoff place. Finally, Paper Rex allowed fans to watch in peace by finally putting in a dominant performance, claiming 13-5 and 13-9 map wins to secure a clean 2-0 and progress to playoffs.

Time to make it count

While their playoff spot is secure, another slump and early elimination will likely lead to further inquiry into the side’s standing as a VALORANT heavyweight. In reality, qualification for Masters Toronto is the only thing that would see that Paper Rex firmly prove that they are still an elite side, but they’ll do extremely well to manage a top-three finish in an ever-more competitive region.