A new era of the VCT is about to begin! Before the 2023 season kicks off with LOCK//IN, let’s take a look at all of the first round matchups in the tournament. Many new and familiar faces will take the stage in São Paulo, but only one of these squads can come out on top.

This page will be updated with video interviews from the players themselves over the coming weeks, be sure to check back in later to catch them all!

ALPHA CONFERENCE

M1 - KOI (EMEA) vs NRG (Americas)

• KOI: KOI boasts an interesting mix of talent across EMEA. This roster weaves known names with some up-and-coming talent in the region. The Spanish organization, headed up by streaming icon Ibai Llanos Garatea, will be looking to make an explosive statement to open up LOCK//IN.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: KOI Wolfen - On a team with former Masters and Champions winners, Wolfen enters 2023 as one of the brightest prospects EMEA has to offer. He shined on Case Esports last year, don’t be surprised if the Bulgarian sniper is a breakout star by calendar's close.
  
  

• NRG : NRG’s core of trophy-lifting talent should be a comforting sight for VCT fans around the world. Behind the shotcalling of former Masters winner FNS, three of the five members from Champions runners-up OpTic Gaming want to trade in their silver medal for gold in 2023. To help them complete that goal, they’ve brought in European favorite ardiis as their new tip of the spear, who also took home a Masters trophy himself in 2022.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: NRG s0m -s0m enters LOCK//IN in a similar position as his round one counterpart Wolfen. FNS, ardiis, crashies, Victor have all won major trophies already in the VCT. Those lofty expectations are going to be hanging over s0m in 2023 as their projected Controller player. LOCK//IN will be his first chance to prove he has what it takes to get there.

M2 - DetonatioN FocusMe (Pacific) vs Giants Gaming (EMEA)

• DFM : DetonatioN FocusMe is a team approaching LOCK//IN with a lot to gain and little to lose. DFM’s previous results almost entirely take place in 2020. Emerging from the shadows for some necessary practice, DFM participated in the Riot Games ONE PRO INVITATIONAL where they unfortunately went 0-3, falling to teams such as Fnatic, DRX, and Paper Rex. Some might question just how far DFM can push in São Paulo. With little expectations on their shoulders, it’s DFM’s chance to make a splash.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: DFM Seoldam - The original “Korean Jett” is here and ready to click some heads. Seoldam rose to stardom in the beta, but is now finally getting his chance to show the world what he is made of. This high execution Duelist should be on everyone’s radar.
  
• GIA : For Giants Gaming, the road ahead is full of possibilities. This Spanish organization is moving up from tier-two events into the partner league, equipped with a refurbished roster. The Giants boast an impressive cast and the ability to be a real contender in EMEA, and arguably the world. LOCK//IN will provide a great introduction to fans and competition alike for what the Giants may be bringing to the table.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: GIA Nukkye - The star from G2 is ready to continue shining with a new jersey on his back. Another duelist aiming for the top, it’s Nukkye’s shot to prove what he is capable of while backed by some new and familiar faces.

M3 - Gen.G (Pacific) vs LOUD (Americas)

• GEN.G: Gen.G return home to South Korea after having played their first few years of VALORANT in the North American region. With this new roster, all eyes will be on their star Duelist Meteor. The true ace of this team, Meteor was the main reason why Japanese squad NORTHEPTION made it to international play in Copenhagen last year. When he’s on, he’s up there with the best Operator players in the world. Meteor’s performance will need to be on point in Brazil if Gen.G want to go far in this tournament.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: GENG K1ng - K1ng was a key component of the OG undefeated Vision Strikers squad. When they transitioned to the DRX brand, he was loaned out to OnSla2ers, who quickly became Korea’s de-facto number 2 team in 2022. K1ng’s got the credentials to anchor this new Gen.G squad and set his frag monster Meteor up for success.
  
  
• LOUD: The World Champions LOUD are coming home! Despite some roster moves in the offseason, this is still the core and captain who earned them the biggest title in the sport last year. At LOCK//IN, the spotlight will be on their new players cauanzin and tuyz. How will they handle the pressure of graduating from Brazil’s tier-two scene directly into a championship roster? Returning team captain Saahak helped cultivate talent like Pancada, Less and Aspas last season. Can he raise another pair of rookie superstars this time around?
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: LOUD Aspas - With Sacy and Pancada gone, Aspas has been promoted to the face of this team. He enters 2023 as one of the best Duelist players in the world. There will surely be a lot of pressure on Aspas to hold the throne this year… but if anyone can rise to the occasion, it’s the MVP of Champions 2022 Grand Finals himself.

M4 - FunPlus Phoenix (China) vs Karmine Corp (EMEA)

• FPX :FunPlus Phoenix is an interesting contender. The FPX many knew in the EMEA has been dissolved and in their place is a team from China that few may recognize. However, that anonymity could be their greatest strength. Formerly known as FPX ZHUQUE, this team is eager to prove why they deserve to be here. After a 1st place finish and win over EDG in the FGC VALORANT Invitational 2022: Epilogue, VCT fans are curious to how this team performs on the big stage. With this win at their fingertips, and their history a specter, we could have one of the biggest dark horses of the tournament on our hands.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: FPX AAAAY - AAAAY is a longtime member of the Chinese FPX roster. His leadership and experience are sure to have an impact on FPX’s preparation heading into LOCK//IN.
  
  
• KC : Karmine Corp is a team that every opponent should fear. Boasting the legendary brother duo, ScreaM and Nivera, this French roster could be a sneaky top-tier threat. Beyond these roster switches, Karmine Corp has the strength of their diehard fans, the “Blue Wall'', rabidly supporting them every step of the way. This is a team that has the potential to go all the way if they can survive their early matches. The only question is whether or not Karmine Corp is ready to take on the strength of more established rosters as they learn to play together.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: KC ScreaM - The icon ScreaM needs no introductions. He does not miss heads, he does not miss kills, and he does not miss a chance to secure victory. They’ve been talking about his one-taps across FPS titles for over a decade now. Friends and foes alike are excited to watch him take the stage once again, alongside his younger brother Nivera.

M5 - DRX (Pacific) vs BBL Esports (EMEA)

• DRX : The kings of consistency, DRX, return with the same starting lineup that finished third-place in Champions. South Korea’s golden squad have always excelled in the early stages of tournaments.That bodes well for them in the fast-paced, single-elimination environment of LOCK//IN. As always, expect some nasty setplays from DRX that are going to cause headaches for any opponent. After getting so close to a trophy last year, the team’s existing cohesion and experience should give them a massive advantage amongst the wolves in São Paulo.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: DRX Mako - There was a strong argument for MaKo as one of the best Controllers in the world for 2022. Coming into 2023, you can expect even bigger things from the best smokes player in the Pacific, who always seems to come up big on the international stage.
  
  
  
• BBL : BBL Esports will have the entire country of Turkey behind them when they face off with DRX in the first round. While DRX is expected to display perfectly-timed executions and complex strategies, it might be the opposite for BBL. Their strength could come down to their stellar mechanics and pinpoint aim that pushes South Korea’s champions to the brink. On top of that, BBL’s starting roster has some experience at international events and shouldn’t shrink under the spotlight of a live audience.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: BBL Brave - Brave is one of the players on the BBL roster who has competed on the international VCT stage before, having played for SuperMassive Blaze at Masters Berlin in 2021. Now that he’s a bit older with some more experience under his belt, Brave could be an X-factor if BBL want to topple one of the LOCK//IN favorites.

M6 - Cloud9 (Americas) vs Paper Rex (Pacific)

• C9: Cloud9 are one of the world’s most hyped rosters heading into the 2023 season. Their longtime core of Leaf, Xeppaa, and Vanity return alongside some massive pickups like the NA staple flex Zellsis, and arguably the best player in the world, Yay. They’ve also picked up mCe as their new head coach, who formerly led The Guard to success during their peak in 2022. Historically, Cloud9 have always been close to greatness, but have yet to make a real impact internationally. This year, Cloud9 are banking on Yay to be the puzzle piece that they’ve always been missing. For a fundamentally sound team that needed a boost in the carry department, Yay could be their ticket to victory. He once filled that exact same need for OpTic, can he do it again here?
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: C9 Zellsis - He’s long been regarded as one of the most valuable players in NA by analysts. Now, Zellsis finally has a chance to prove himself on a fresh new roster as a starting player, alongside his former IGL from Version1 Vanity. This duo is sure to breathe some life into the Cloud9 roster.
  
  
• PRX: Southeast Asia’s No. 1 team Paper Rex return to the international stage, bringing their signature brand of bombastic escapades with them. Paper Rex are running back their same starting five, and with good reason. This core roster shocked the world in 2022, taking down some of the biggest names in VALORANT and nearly winning Masters Copenhagen. This year, they’ve added one additional player, an Initiator by the name of Cgrs. If you’re looking for a team with wild and creative plays that push the boundaries of the game, then Paper Rex are the squad for you.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: PRX Benkai - The charismatic leader Benkai personifies Paper Rex’s infectious brand of energy. From his jokes in press conferences to his outlandish costumed walkouts, he’s the lifeblood of PRX’s “never stop having fun” attitude. He is the true heart and soul of Southeast Asia’s rockstar team, and an absolutely fearsome playmaker to boot.

M7- Evil Geniuses (Americas) vs Team Heretics (EMEA)

• EG: How many players does it take to win Champions in this new VCT era? Well, for Evil Geniuses, they think it could take an army. EG have decided on a 10-player roster to take on the 2023 campaign. Among the stable, there are some players here who are sure to take the stage in São Paulo, like former XSET Initiator BcJ, and projected IGL Boostio. EG’s variety of weapons and how they use them will be a topic of discussion throughout the year. However, if EG can find the right alignment and chemistry within their roster, they could be a dark horse in the Americas region.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: EG Ethan - Back in 2021, Ethan seemed poised to break into the upper-echelon of superstars in the game with 100 Thieves. Yet, after a forgettable 2022, we find him on the new Evil Geniuses roster, still chasing the form he had at Masters Berlin 2021. If he can get back on track and return to world-class form, Ethan definitely has what it takes to be the difference maker for EG.
  
  
• TH:Team Heretics are a squad with a shockingly high ceiling, but maybe an equally dire low floor. The core of this team formerly played under G2 Esports, where they saw great success on LAN when things were going their way. However, they’ve also shown moments of weakness that have left fans wondering how well this talented Heretics team will fare on the big stage. Like EG, if the stars align and they can find some cohesion, Heretics are one of the most dangerous teams the EMEA region has to offer. This is a matchup between two squads who could be great but need to prove it in battle.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: TH Boo - Heretics are a team that needs to be kept on the tracks, and it’s up to the conductor Boo to make it happen. There’s no question about the mechanical brilliance of some of the players on Heretics, like keloqz and mixwell, but it’ll be up to the Lithuanian IGL Boo to bring all of those elements together to create a true contending side.

M8 - MiBR (Americas) vs Talon Esports (Pacific)

• MIBR: MiBR may be a newcomer to the international stage, but they’re bringing some recognizable faces along with them. Primarily heat, the former lead Duelist of Keyd Stars who gained notoriety at several global events in 2021. Joining him is his longtime duo murizzz who is an established flex player in his own right. On top of that, MiBR made the critical pickup of bzkA, the head coach of last year’s world champions LOUD. While MiBR’s roster isn’t quite as recognizable on the surface as their Brazilian counterparts, they’ve got the potential to grow under the expert leadership of a legendary coach.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: MiBR Heat - As one of the most dedicated Jett mains in the business, he struggled in the Chamber meta last year. Now in 2023, Jett is back on the menu and so is heat. There might not be anyone in the world with more Jett practice under their belt than this man, and he’s ready to prove that on stage in Brazil.
  
  
• TLN : Waving the Thailand flag this year is Talon Esports. Their core is no stranger to the global stage, formerly playing under the banner of XERXIA (and X10 before that) Staple players like Crws, foxz, and Sushiboys will take the stage once again in 2023. Longtime fans will be excited to see the enigmatic Patiphan making his bold return to the VCT alongside his former teammates. He was the heart and soul of this squad in 2021, and without him last year they seemed to falter. The band is finally back together and ready to represent Thailand on the LOCK//IN stage.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: TLN Patiphan - The FPS hero of Thailand returns to the VCT. Last time he took the stage, he won hearts around the world with his huge personality, over-the-top celebrations, and deadly accuracy. Patiphan is the type of player that draws eyes to him and his team wherever they go. He’s a safe bet to be one of the Pacific region’s most impactful players in 2023.

OMEGA CONFERENCE

M15 - Team Liquid (EMEA) vs Team Secret (Pacific)

• TL : There’s a whole lot of starpower on this new Liquid roster. The only question is whether or not they’ll find their chemistry. One of the biggest improvements to this team from their previous iteration is a designated IGL in Redgar. In 2021, Redgar led Gambit to multiple international finals, and a first place finish at Masters Berlin. Joining him is his faithful duo Nats, who is often considered one of the best anchor/support players in the world. With the increased importance of supportive agents in this meta, it could be Nats’ chance to reclaim his throne. It’s been a while since these stars have taken the stage… but if all the pieces of Team Liquid come together as intended, this could be a team that’s going for the gold in Brazil.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: TL Nats - One of the world’s best support players is back in business, and so is his signature Cypher. With his agent back in the meta and a stacked roster behind him, Nats will surely be looking to secure many more MVP titles this year.
  
  
• TS : Team Secret are the pride of the Philippines, the de-facto national team for the mighty esports nation. When it comes to competitive experience, this team might be in the top percentile of VCT squads. There’s an array of esports veterans mixed throughout their starting five, with many of them playing together since the start of VALORANT. The core of this roster made it to Champions 2021 together, and dominated their regional league as Bren Esports prior to that. While they haven’t put up huge numbers internationally in the past, they're definitely more comfortable as a squad than most. The bright lights of playing on LAN shouldn’t shake them like it could younger teams at the Brazil event.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: TS JessieVash - An OG of Filipino esports, JessieVash has seen it all when it comes to his nation’s competitive gaming scene. At 33 years old, he’s one of the oldest players at LOCK//IN, bringing vast wisdom to the table alongside his longtime duo DubsteP.

M16 - NAVI (EMEA) vs KRÜ Esports (Americas)

• NAVI : NAVI is an absolute force to be reckoned with. The championship core of 2022 FPX is joined by the world’s deadliest Operator of 2021 in cNed. With such a stacked lineup, expectations will be soaring at LOCK//IN. Unlike many inexperienced rosters, Na’vi should be able to hit the ground running. Especially considering their only new addition is a veteran himself with a world championship under his belt. Na’Vi have already won an offseason tournament together, so anything less than greatness here in Brazil would mean failure for them.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: NAVI cNed - A living legend of the game, cNed was the undisputed best Operator player in 2021 and a leader of the first-ever winners of VALORANT Champions. 2022 was a difficult year for him as he struggled to find the same success with Chamber. Now that Jett is back in the meta, cNed is expected to return with a vengeance, backed by one of the best core rosters in VCT history.
  
  
• KRÜ Esports : Redemption is the theme of 2023 for KRÜ. The org had several international breakout performances in 2021 (including a 4th place finish at Champions 2021) but they failed to reach the same heights throughout 2022. Now in 2023, they’ve shaken up their roster in hopes of reclaiming their former glory. Their new pickups from Brazil might be just what this squad needs to reclaim the throne as LATAM’s best.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: KRÜ Xand - A fan-favorite wandering warrior of the Brazilian VALORANT scene. KRÜ is Xand’s fifth team in his VALORANT career, and his first outside of Brazil. In the past we’ve seen him play the rare combination of duelist / IGL for his team, but this time around it seems like he’s focusing solely on his duelist responsibilities. LOCK//IN will show if this is the change he needs to get back on top.

M17 - ZETA DIVISION (Pacific) vs Leviatán (Americas)

• ZETA : The “Heart of Japan” returns to the international stage. ZETA DIVISION captured the love of fans around the world after a brilliant 3rd place Cinderella run during 2022 Masters Reykjavík. Unfortunately they were unable to maintain those results in the following events. The same roster we saw win and lose before our eyes last year is back, intact, and hungrier than ever. ZETA fans will be hoping they can capture that same magic they showcased in Iceland last year. This first match at LOCK//IN may not only set the tone for their tournament performance, but the year as a whole.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: ZETA Laz - The “King of Hearts” is here and ready to make more waves. As a pro FPS player for over a decade, Laz commands respect in the scene. Although his signature Chamber has faded from prominence, we know that regardless of position, Laz is going to put up numbers.
  
  
  
• LEV : Leviatán rose to prominence as the new kings of LATAM in 2022. Multiple breakout performances last year left fans craving more, and this could be the time for them to deliver. Roster switches and off-season practice has led some analysts to believe that they could be a real contender in Brazil. It’s hard to say yet what Leviatán may truly be capable of, but with kiNgg leading the way, we know we can expect excitement.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: LEV kiNgg - The IGL of Leviatán is back and ready to take some names. He spent much of 2022 in the duelist position but enters LOCK//IN with the heavy possibility of playing controller or initiator. Surrounded by a team with high fragging power, kiNgg may be leading this team of bloodthirsty marionettes as their cold-blooded puppeteer.

M18 - Team Vitality (EMEA) vs Global Esports (Pacific)

• VIT : Team Vitality are a well-built squad entering 2023, and they should be a tough out for any team they’re thrown against early on in the season. After a disappointing 2022 season, 2021 world champion IGL BONECOLD has left Acend and is ready to make a comeback with this solid Vitality lineup. While Vitality might lack the top-billing starpower of other rosters, their all-around firepower and experience give them a strong foundation to build upon for LOCK//IN and the games to come in EMEA.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: VIT MOLSI - When it comes to agent pools, few are as vast as MOLSI. Be it on Initiator, Duelist, Controller or even Sentinel, the Polish player can make a grand impact on whichever agent he decides to pilot. His adaptability and individual skill make him a player whose value should continue to rise as the 2023 season rolls on.
  
  
• GE : In comparison, Global Esports are the opposite of solid. They’re a melting pot of chaos and talent, thrown together in an organization whose name truly represents their composition. This “global” roster touts an IGL from North America AYRIN, a mechanical monster from Korea with t3xture, and the pride of Oceania, WRONSKI Wronski. Capping it off, they’ve got their two homegrown superstars from India, SkRossi and LightningFast. Global Esports are a science experiment shrouded in mystery. The only question is whether that experiment will end in beautiful fireworks or a tragic explosion.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: GE AYRIN - If Global Esports is going to succeed, a lot of that will be on the shoulders of their IGL AYRIN. This team feels like a balance act, where one small step could mean disaster. Yet, the Canadian IGL seems up to the task and ready to turn Global Esports from the VCT’s greatest mystery into its greatest success. If he can do it, his legacy will be solidified forever.

M19 - FUT Esports (EMEA) vs Rex Regum Qeon (Pacific)

• FUT : It’s been a long road for Turkey’s FUT Esports. Since their VALORANT inception in 2020 under the name Futbolist, they’ve grinded and clawed their way through the ranks. They’ve battled in the amateur scenes, accumulating talent and knowhow along the way. That effort culminated in 2022 when they won the biggest tier-two league in EMEA, the VRL, in a close final over Team Vitality. Now in the partner league, they’re back on the grind once again. Although results haven’t been the brightest, FUT have pushed themselves during the off-season to compete in third-party events to prepare for their upcoming challenges.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: FUT MOJJ - It’ll be a career moment for MOJJ when he takes his seat in São Paulo to play RRQ. He’s the only player on the roster who has been with FUT since the very beginning, back in 2020 when they were grinding to make a name for themselves in Turkey. Now, as part of the VCT, he can finally test himself against the world’s brightest stars.
  
  
• RRQ : Rex Regum Qeon are a team that shares a similar spirit to FUT. While they’ve never made it to the global stage before, they’ve always worked themselves to the brink in domestic leagues. Now they find themselves trying their best in pre-season competitions to level up before LOCK//IN. RRQ will rely on their recently acquired players with international experience to help their transition up the ladder. This is a battle that both teams will believe they can win going in, and for the winner, a boatload of confidence following equally turbulent pre-season results.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: RRQ Tehbotol - The Indonesian standout Tehbotol turned heads at Champions 2022 when he dropped a historic 38 frags against eventual runners-up OpTic Gaming in his opening match. If he can find some of that same magic to kickoff LOCK//IN, RRQ could start a run in the Omega Conference.

M20 - 100 Thieves (Americas) vs EDward Gaming (China)

• 100T : 100 Thieves have upgraded to a star-studded roster, skyrocketing them into a top threat of the Americas. With their massive pickup of Cryo, this team now feels like a true powerhouse. 100 Thieves proved their potential at the recent Red Bull Home Ground #3, securing 1st place with a dominant victory in the finals over Cloud9. 100 Thieves definitely carry a “Final Boss” aura around them, believing that only Cloud9 might be on their level. The question weighing on everyone's mind is if 100 Thieves can carry this consistency into São Paulo.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: 100T Cryo - Arguably the star player of the 2022 XSET roster, this hardened Op player can bring even the best to their knees. Regardless of how his team performs, we expect Cryo to put up quite the kill count… but whether or not he can lead them to a victory is the most important question.
  
  
• EDG : EDward Gaming earned the opportunity to play in Champions 2022, where many analysts viewed them as a potential bracket monster. They ultimately fell 0-2, but not without showing they have the capability of doing some damage. Their adaptations and learnings in the off-season may give them a chance to improve their performance at LOCK//IN, but the question still remains… do they have what it takes to keep up with the world’s best?
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: EDG ZmjjKK - ZmjjKK or “KangKang” is the face of EDG. This ace hit some impressive clips at Champions 2022. He is, without a doubt, the man to keep your eyes on when watching EDG play. Make sure you don’t blink when he’s in a clutch situation, you just might miss the opposing team's fall.

M21 - Sentinels (Americas) vs. Fnatic (EMEA)

• SEN : Sentinels were the first organization to ever win an international VALORANT LAN. Now they’re back to see if they succeed again at the start of this new VCT era. To accomplish that goal, they went wild this offseason and signed two of the reigning world champions: pANcada and Sacy. A combination of peak talent from North America and Brazil, Sentinels are a diabolical fusion of skill and pedigree. This new roster could be just what Sentinels need to return to the top of the Americas ladder after a folly-ridden 2022.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: SEN Zekken - At the end of 2022, Zekken was on the verge of establishing himself as one of, if not outright the best flex player in all of VALORANT with XSET. Now, on a team that has even more firepower around him, the teenage prodigy could take that next important step; leading him higher up the individual ranks towards that elusive first international trophy.
  
  
• FNC : One of the few teams that can match Sentinels firepower is EMEA’s Fnatic. A powerhouse domestically, Fnatic are still searching for their first international gold. They’ve constructed a superteam in the offseason to get rid of that blemish on their resume. Behind the superstar shotcalling of Boaster, Fnatic have four players who are all capable of putting up 30-plus frags in a game if needed. Like Sentinels, this is a team that isn’t here to take part… they’re here to take over.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: FNC Leo - Everything said about Zekken can also be said about Fnatic’s offseason pickup Leo. The 19-year-old Swede seems to be able to play nearly every agent in the game at a world-class level, and turn them into the focal point of a team. Like Zekken, Leo looks like he’s on the cusp of something even greater than what he accomplished in 2022.

M22 - T1 (Pacific) vs FURIA (Americas)

• T1  : T1. What more needs to be said about this legendary organization than their name itself? Sure, they’ve dominated countless esports titles in the past - but what about VALORANT? Well, that’s the question on everyone’s mind. Their prestigious reputation always precedes them, but with this new roster things feel unsure. Drafting players from not only other teams, but also other games, it’s unclear how they all might come together. But if one knows esports, they know not to count T1 out.
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: T1 Carpe - If there’s an FPS hall of fame, Carpe is surely in it. But VALORANT is a brand new game for him. His countless fans around the world wait with bated breath to see how he will make his transition. Sink or swim, Carpe will surely be at the forefront of the conversation in the Pacific region this year.
  
  
• FUR : FURIA may prove to be an interesting case in the 2023 VCT. They chose to only swap one player, Nozwerr for mwzera, in what seems like a confident choice. The only problem with this is that they did not gain much power after a disappointing 2022 season while most other teams increased theirs. There is something to be said though about staying with a loyal roaster that knows the game and knows each other. LOCK//IN and 2023 could be more of their year than we realize, but only time will tell. Will FURIA be regretting or or loving the fact that they have most of the same team returning?
  
  
• Player to LOCK//IN On: FUR mwzera - mwzera showed us early in VALORANT why he should be considered one of the best duelists in the world, and possibly the best Brazilian player. Although his team results have been underwhelming since 2020, there is no doubt in his skill and mechanical ability. Picking mwzera up was the only change FURIA made in the offseason, LOCK//IN will show us whether or not it was the right move.

That’s all for now! For more LOCK//IN coverage, be sure to follow the VCT social accounts. Grab your friends and get ready to watch all the action when the tournament begins on Feburary 13th. For local start times and detailed schedules, head on over to VALORANTesports.com