The Valorant Masters Shanghai playoffs are set, and the bracket reveal brought surprising twists. Unlike traditional formats, teams chose their first-round opponents, setting the stage for intense rivalries and strategic matchups. There are many roster changes that are set to happen over the course of the next month. Masters Shanghai player performances are set to matter the most for orgs to pick players. Already, the likes of NRG have made major moves, and we’ve talked about that in a previous post.
Bracket Overview For Masters Shanghai
Eight teams remain in the Masters Shanghai, with the playoffs beginning in a few days. 100 Thieves, eager to face G2, didn’t get the opportunity but expressed strong opinions. Boostio from 100 Thieves roasted G2, confident in their bracket position. Several matches concluded with notable outcomes. Benji Fishy and Heretics defeated FPX 2-1. Levaton’s match against F Sports was highly competitive despite Levaton’s inconsistent firepower. Aspas, typically a top performer, struggled, resulting in a close series where Levaton lost the final map to F Sports 13-11.
Levaton’s roster showed potential, but with issues like ASP pass and K having inconsistent performances, the team remains unpredictable. They can dominate when Aspas performs well, but inconsistency leaves them vulnerable. This unpredictability raises questions about Levaton’s ability to compete at a world championship level. Despite criticisms, European teams like Heretics and F Sports advanced, proving their competitiveness. Fnatic, consistently strong, also reached the playoffs. Levaton’s defeat suggests potential roster changes are needed to enhance their chances for future championships.
Tactical Choices in the Bracket
The bracket’s unique structure allowed top seeds to choose their opponents in a randomly determined order. Fnatic, having the last pick, faced a tough match against Geni. This selection process created significant storylines, with 100 Thieves initially aiming to pick G2, confident they would dominate them.Boostio’s confidence in 100 Thieves’ side of the bracket highlights the strategic importance of these choices. Avoiding Paper Rex, the perceived favorites, boosted their morale.
Exciting Playoff Matchups For Masters Shanghai
The playoff matchups promise thrilling encounters. Paper Rex, considered favorites, chose G2 as their first-round opponents. Edward Gaming picked Heretics, seeing them as the best remaining option. 100 Thieves faced FUT eSports, a formidable but beatable team. Fnatic vs. Geng emerged as the most anticipated match of the first round. Fnatic’s return in their region made them a strong contender, but facing GenG is still no joke.
Other Roster Changes
NRG has yet to confirm FNS and s0m rejoining the team. Although the announcement hasn’t been made yet, almost every streamer has confirmed the change. Demon1 has been named the 6th man with Marved also being benched. While Demon1 might move to another tier 1 team, Marved has hinted at retiring from pro play. Pancada has been MIA, rejecting multiple offers due to possible visa and medical issues. Now, LOUD is rumored to be in the hunt for Pancada. Aspas was also linked to LOUD a few weeks back. With Leviathan now out of Masters Shanghai, Aspas might not complete the season with the team due to the early exit.
