The number 2 seeds of each region have a lot to do to make it to the playoff bracket for Masters Bangkok. Can any of these teams make an upset?
Not every team at Masters Bangkok will get a win
As sad as it is, it is the unfortunate truth. These might be the best performing teams of each respective region’s kick off runs, but this group of winners attending VCT Masters Bangkok won’t all be guaranteed success. The 8 team bracket has its number 1 seeds, which were pretty standard picks across the board, with little to no surprises in the lineup.
The number 2 seeds were less clear cut coming into each region’s finals, but the finalists have an uphill battle ahead of them. Obviously, coming in as the number 2 seed, they’re going to be facing off against the number 1 seed from a different region. As Masters Bangkok is making use of a Swiss opening stage, the teams will be fighting to win 2 matches before they amass 2 losses to make it into the final bracket.
In the heart of Thailand, where pros turn into masters, this is the Dawn of the Duelist.#VALORANTMasters Bangkok kicks off from February 20th to March 2nd. pic.twitter.com/R1CitfJ20q
— VALORANT (@VALORANT) February 13, 2025
Trace Esports
Coming into the Grand Finals from the winner’s side after back to back upsets, Trace did a fantastic job getting to where they are now, but the reason we’re talking about them here because their runback vs the defending Champions didn’t quite go as well as the first run around. Facing off against one of the strongest looking teams out of any of the regions, G2, their first round is expected to be a rough start. A lot of the number 2 seeds will be facing off in that second round if seeds go as predicted, and this is where Trace Esports will really be fighting to show what the region has to offer.
T1
T1 are definitely were one of the most contested placers to get to Bangkok. getting into the finals through a razer thin margin, and an even narrower one to miss out on a domestic trophy lift. They’re one of the “super team” projects for their respective regions. When asked on their thoughts on the super team moniker during this morning’s VCT Masters Bangkok press conference, Stax had high thoughts on their round 1 opponents.
“I would say Vitality would be a little bit closer to what a super team looks like… we’re not there yet, there’s still work to be done.”
They’re definitely the 2 seed that I expect to make it into Playoffs, even if they have to start in the lower bracket, the aim skill floor has risen drastically across all regions, but T1 have shown some real depth with the strat book and have some phenomenal star power, being “a mixture of Gen.G and DRX at its prime”.
Liquid
Patitek thinks his IGL is en route to becoming one of the game’s greatest IGLs, but their EMEA counterparts don’t put too much focus on requiring individual players to pop off and that every role should be shooting back. With the likes of Nats, Sayf, Mako and Valyn in the bracket, the Fragging IGL mantra is definitely going to be in full swing. The hardest part of the EMEA Kick Off for most teams was figuring out how if at all to incorporate Tejo into the playbook. The general trend was that the teams with the biggest support team budgets and beefier strategy books had the best use of the new initiator. Adaptation will be key, but Liquid are looking forward to taking advantage of the “randomness” that comes with the chaos of a new agent showing up so early into the format.
“[Beating Heretics] proved that Team Liquid can qualify for National Events and that Team Liquid can be one of the best teams in the world” – Patitek on the upset to make it to Bangkok
The Liquid duo specifically mentioned sleep being a big part of their preparation for the tournament, not just for adjusting to the timezone, but to function properly Masters Bangkok and any other event. The team will be looking to continue making upsets having bested Heretics to get here, and really took it to Team Vitality, albeit without being able to finish the job.
Sentinels
Sentinels have repeated a good start to the year, the last time they qualified early they were able to claim a trophy at Masters Madrid but petered out towards the end of the year as the meta changed and developed. DRX were only a hair’s bredth better than their T1 counterparts, and while Sentinels did take G2 to map 5, the differences between the teams in the final map set them apart. Last time the two faced off in Champions 2024, it was 2-0 to Sentinels. Zellsis pretty unapologetically thinks it’ll be another 2-0 but Mako feels that that this time it’ll be in their favor this time.
“I don’t have TenZ anymore so I need help keeping the lights on. And I should be your favorite player so you should buy [the Sentinels Bundle] for me.” – Zellsis
Mandatory Sentinels bundle plug aside, Zellsis and the team look good coming into the first match of the tournament. They talked well about adjusting to the heat and the time difference, balancing the need to eat, sleep and practice. As the oldest player in the tournament at the ripe age of just 26, he imparted some of that wisdom at the conference, talking about the patience that comes with age. He may not be FNS old (32) but the old timer is looking for a long stay in the Playoffs. If they win Masters Bangkok, he’ll shave his head. Famously, the last player to make that claim (and commit to it) came away a Champion, so who knows, maybe it’ll be the motivator they need.
