Tomorrow’s lower bracket clash at Valorant Champions Paris 2025 pits two Pacific titans against each other: DRX vs Paper Rex. This isn’t just another elimination match — it’s the continuation of one of Valorant’s longest-standing rivalries. For years, PRX’s high-octane aggression has tested DRX’s disciplined, structured style, producing some of the most memorable series in VCT history. With survival at Champions on the line, the stakes could not be higher.
A Rivalry Defined by Results
Across the last five years of international Valorant, Paper Rex has largely dictated the narrative. They have beaten DRX in 10 of their last 13 encounters, including multiple sweeps on the global stage. PRX’s aggressive flair, powered by stars like f0rsakeN, Jinggg, and something, has often outpaced DRX’s slower setups. During the onset of franchising, DRX were favored to be the stronger team due to their global results and how regional dominance. However, PRX, especially after something joined the lineup, looked like a whole other team and his firepower suited the team’s aggressive playstyle perfectly, with PRX eventually lifting their first trophy this year at Toronto two years later.
DRX still haven’t found an international win, although they’ve placed in the top six multiple times, and even a top three once, but four out of five members of their current roster missed out on most of these events. That said, after their rebuild this year, they’ve looked good, especially with their increased agent pool and the strength of Flashback and HYUNMIN, as well as MaKo’s incredible experience helping the team come this far.
That said, DRX have had their moments of resistance. Wins at VCT Pacific Stage 2 in 2024 and the Hero Esports ACL 2025 Grand Final are reminders that the Korean side can rise to the occasion. But when it comes to high-pressure elimination games, PRX have repeatedly found ways to close out.
Paper Rex: From Finalists to Champions
2025 has been a landmark year for Paper Rex. After multiple podium finishes, the team was yet to lift a global trophy, and ahead of Stage 1, PRX made what some called a drastic change, swapping out Mindfreak for PatMen, and also bringing in some additional tactical help at Masters Toronto in the form of coach mini, Sliggy, and Mindfreak himself.
Their victory at Masters Toronto 2025, a 3-1 triumph over Fnatic in the Grand Final, finally delivered the organization its first international trophy. The team IGL f0rsakeN’s flexibility across agents, Jinggg and something’s explosive entry power, and d4v41’s consistency were central to that win, proving PRX could turn their trademark chaos into championship form. Their dominance in VCT Pacific Stage 2 secured them the top seed coming into Champions Paris, solidifying their place as the Pacific region’s standard-bearers.
DRX: Rebuilding Around MaKo
For DRX, the story has been one of endurance and evolution. Rebranding from Vision Strikers to DRX, after their signing and the team went on an incredible 102-game win streak. Kim “MaKo” Myeong-kwan stands as the lone survivor from their earliest rosters, carrying years of international heartbreak but also invaluable experience. Around him, DRX rebuilt in 2025 with a roster many consider their strongest ever: Flicker, Flashback, Estrella, and BeYN have added depth and unpredictability to the team’s style.
Their early-year success at the VCT Pacific Kickoff set a positive tone, but their campaign stumbled at Masters Bangkok, where they were eliminated in the Swiss stage by T1, a surprising upset considering DRX’s historical dominance over their regional rivals. Still, DRX’s Champions Paris group stage showed resilience, highlighted by their creative Waylay/Yoru compositions, which disrupted more rigid opponents and reasserted their willingness to innovate on the world stage.
DRX vs Paper Rex Head to Head
Here’s the full head-to-head record between DRX and PRX across VCT and international events over the past five years:
| Event | Result | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWC 2025 (Qualifier) | PRX def. DRX | 3-1 | May 25, 2025 |
| Hero Esports ACL 25 (Grand Final) | DRX def. PRX | 3-1 | May 18, 2025 |
| VCT 25: PAC Stage 1 (LR3) | PRX def. DRX | 2-0 | May 9, 2025 |
| VCT 25: PAC Stage 1 (W1) | DRX def. PRX | 2-1 | Mar 23, 2025 |
| Radiant Asia Invitational (UBSF) | PRX def. DRX | 2-1 | Nov 28, 2024 |
| VCT 24: PAC Stage 2 (Final) | DRX def. PRX | 3-2 | Jul 20, 2024 |
| VCT 24: PAC Stage 2 (W2) | PRX def. DRX | 2-1 | Jun 22, 2024 |
| VCT 24: PAC Stage 1 (UBSF) | PRX def. DRX | 2-1 | May 4, 2024 |
| AFTV Valorant League (Decider A) | PRX def. DRX | 2-0 | Dec 7, 2023 |
| VCT 2023: Masters Tokyo (UBQF) | PRX def. DRX | 2-0 | Jun 17, 2023 |
| VCT 2023: Pacific (Grand Final) | PRX def. DRX | 3-2 | May 28, 2023 |
| VCT 2023: Pacific (UF) | PRX def. DRX | 2-0 | May 22, 2023 |
| VCT 2023: Pacific (W4) | DRX def. PRX | 2-0 | Apr 15, 2023 |
| VCT Masters: Reykjavik (UBQF) | DRX def. PRX | 2-1 | Apr 15, 2022 |
Stakes at VALORANT Champions Paris
For PRX, tomorrow represents another step in proving that their Toronto win wasn’t a one-off and that they are now perennial favorites at global events. For DRX, it’s a chance to turn the tide of history, to show that their rebuilt roster can stand toe-to-toe with their fiercest rivals and finally overcome years of painful defeats to lift up their first trophy.
One thing is certain: when DRX’s measured gameplay meets PRX’s chaos, the world gets to watch one of Valorant’s best faceoffs, the RX derby. Tomorrow should be no exception.
