I know most people tend to focus on their own region when it comes to Valorant and it makes sense, but I wanted to write a guide going into stage 2 ranking the regions on who best to watch going into stage 2. Note that this isn't a ranking on each regions skill, but a ranking of each region based on balance of competition.
1: NORTH AMERICA
I know it's easy to point at Optic and say they will once again be at the top of NA, but for fans of NA Valorant, we all know how balanced NA is right now. Coming into Stage 1, Version1 and Cloud9 showed themselves as the heavyweights of the region, but the playoffs showed how untrue that was. Optic went on a fantastic run in the top bracket forcing C9 into the lower bracket and beating The Guard before falling them into the finals. The Guard is among the top of NA in team synergy and certainly has the skill to back it up. Cloud9 is probably the most balanced team in NA skillwise, and continues to be one of the favorites in the region. Version1 is arguably the best team in NA as far as their set plays and how they do their homework. While they did lose to LG in the playoffs which led them having an early exit in lowers to Cloud9, they did crush Optic early in stage 1, and have the potential to win NA. XSET is the team always cursed to get 4th, but with Cryocells being one of the best Jett players in the world, they have potential to make any of NA's best bleed, and maybe even make the big stage. Sentinels also sits in this region looking to make a comeback after their fall off following Masters 3, while Kanpeki might not be the answer for Sentinels, the fact they are making changes is a sign they are dedicated to getting back to the top.
The rest of the NA teams also have potential to improve as PK, LG and NRG are not bad teams and often play close series with the teams mentioned above. Finally I have to mention the teams that are rebuilding and probably bootcamping going into Challengers, 100 Thieves, TSM, T1, and Faze, and we will have an event that entertains from start to finish.
2: EMEA
While the region is a mess right now thanks to the Russian-Ukrainian War, EMEA has been and will continue to be one of the most tightly contested regions in the world. With FPX coming back hoping to stamp their way into the next major after being denied due to the aforementioned, they will have to adjust to BaddyG leaving the team. M3C (formerly Gambit) continues to be one of if not the best in the region and will look to rebound after narrowly missing Iceland. Fnatic is making big roster changes and it's a question mark whether they can successfully match their dominant performance in Stage 1. Team Liquid is a big question mark as well as they continue to prove their prowess on an international stage but continue to disappoint against their European counterparts. G2 proved that their roster and ability to adapt to teams can put them at the top of EU, but after a disappointing performance in Masters 1, it's unknown if they can produce these results again. Acend is making big roster changes and will try to put themselves back on top of the Valorant world. NAVI, LDN UTD, Guild, and BBL have all been getting better as time has gone on, and hope to finally make that step onto the international stage. BIG retained their spot in EMEA, though I don't think anyone considers them a contender, but they are joined by FOKUS who rolled in EMEA's P/R tourney 2-0ing both Big and SMB who made it to Stage 1 groups.
3: APAC
Paper Rex and XERXIA probably will continue to dominate this region and should be favorites to make it back to masters, but the region is huge and many teams will continue to fight for relevance in a region that has proven to be filled with talented players. Bleed, BOOM, and Full Sense will be the next tier of teams to look out for, and while Im not as versed on the region as a whole, I would love to hear what teams APAC fans are most excited to see moving onto Stage 2.
4. LATAM
I know, I know, weird choice. KRU has never lost the region since Masters Reykjavik 2021, but that doesn't mean that the kings of LATAM haven't bled this year. Leviatan barely missed out Masters in a 3-2 loss to KRU in the Grand Final of LATAM, including a stunning comeback on Ascent where they came back from being down 11-1 to force a game 5 against KRU. Leviatan is led by young and hungry talent, and is currently coached by KRU's former coach who led them to their incredible Champions run. E-Xolos Lazer is another team that is right there, after dominating LATAM North, they beat KRU 2-0 only to drop to Leviatan is a extremely tight game, and fell to KRU in the rematch. KRU also can't be underestimated as while they struggle in Masters they did show that they have talent still, and can go as far as Keznit takes them. 9z and Movistar Optix are two other LATAM South teams to watch, and for LATAM North look for Fusion and Six Karma to also improve.
5. Korea
This is where I start to get into regions that likely dominate their regions and it's not even close. DRX looked poised to win Masters in the first half of the tourney, and while they failed to do so, I can't imagine any team in Korea challenging them. The only real exception is On Sla2ers, who have beaten DRX in the past and look leaps and bounds above the rest of Korea. DAMWON and World Game Star also have potential, but are far behind the top as of Stage 1.
6. Brazil
If Brazil only got 1 spot they would be my last place region. LOUD has never lost in Brazil and almost continued that winning streak to a championship run in Masters. Their biggest challenger is obviously NIP, who also was hailed as a super team going into Stage 1, and while NIP has looked good, LOUD is undoubtedly leaps and bounds above them currently. But they certainly have potential to push LOUD, and I hope to see great improvement from NIP in Stage 2. Vivo Keyd has proven to still be a top contender in Brazil also along with FURIA, and look to make it back to an international stage. Keep an eye on Gamelanders Blue while you're at it. Also mibr finally sneak into Brazil groups, and as one of the few teams to take a map on LOUD, maybe look at them too.
7. Japan
Sorry Japan, but ZETA should have a dynasty for a long time. Their improvement and team chemistry should carry well into a region that seems rather weak outside of ZETA itself (And they had to improve from that level in Masters 1 itself). Crazy Racoon is easily the only team capable of competing with them, but I don't think even they stand a chance against ZETA.
Anyways, that's just my thoughts. What are yours, and who do you think makes it to masters out of your region next stage?
Also give me the hottest take of why your team will win Masters 2.
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