The NA Game Changers Valorant scene's strongest team might be
Cloud9 White
Cloud9 White
Inactive
Bob
Bob Tran
alexis
Alexis Guarrasi
Jazzyk1ns
Jasmine Manankil
katsumi
Katja Pfahnl
meL
Melanie Capone
, but even they've been beaten once in the two years they've been playing. That defeat was at the hands of another consistent team,
Shopify Rebellion GC
Shopify Rebellion GC
Inactive
.
Way back in April of 2021, an unsigned team under the name of
Built Butter
Built Butter
Inactive
flowerful
Kayla Horton
Lorri
Lorrian Elad
itnothan
Han Nguyen
sonder
Diana Zhang
KP
Erika Lytle
panini
Vannesa Emory
started to make a name for themselves in the precursor to the Game Changers Valorant scene. They were able to defeat signed, established rosters like
Gen.G Black
Gen.G Black
Inactive
Kazler
Calvrix
IssaNina
kasumu
kazz
Kassandra Shire
heist
rose
and
Dignitas
Dignitas
Inactive
rain
Amanda Smith
EMUHLEET
Emmalee Garrido
theia
Melisa Mundorff
Stefanie
Stefanie Jones
showliana
Juliana Maransaldi
, the latter twice before they were signed by Moon Raccoons.
They participated under the name
Moon Raccoons Black
Moon Raccoons Black
Inactive
flowerful
Kayla Horton
sonder
Diana Zhang
itnothan
Han Nguyen
Lorri
Lorrian Elad
panini
Vannesa Emory
in 2021's Game Changers series I, placing a solid third, behind C9 White and
CLG Red
CLG Red
Inactive
itnothan
Han Nguyen
emluo
mle
Emily Peters
athxna
Mirna Noureldin
dodonut
Karnthida Chaisrakeo
. The players left the organization on good terms shortly after, and following good performances in events like the Sakura Cup, they were signed again, this time by Shopify Rebellion.
In Series II, they came third again, after losses to C9 and CLG once again. They then finished second in Series III, behind C9, establishing themselves as a top contender in the NA Game Changers scene.
In 2022, they were able to prove their second-place finish last year wasn't just a fluke by repeating the result in Game Changers NA Series I. C9 White might have beaten them again, but SR were able to defeat every other major contender including Dignitas, CLG Red, and Version X.
Before they headed into their next Game Changers tournament, they underwent roster changes.Two of their six-member team — Vannesa "panini" Emory and Han "itnothan" Nguyen — left the team. But in place of those players, the roster did get a new, proven player as a fifth: none other than Benita "bENITA" Novshadian, one of the most experienced FPS players in the country.
With their new revamped roster, SR GC finally defeated their rivals C9 White in the semifinals of Game Changers Series II. The result was no small victory; C9 White had never lost to another Game Changers team before that moment. However, the magic could not last, as C9 White made a successful lower bracket run to make it to the grand finals and got their revenge with a 3-1 win.
In Game Changers Series III, Shopify Rebellion had two ways by which they could qualify for Berlin: either win the tournament or have enough circuit points to make it. The event started off well enough for the team, with quick 2-0 wins to take them through the open qualifier. They were also able to make it through the closed qualifier to the main event despite a loss to
Complexity GX3
Complexity GX3
Inactive
clawdia
Claudia Che
Karra
Aara Lee
rayse
L4CE
Lacey Dilworth
Jazzyk1ns
Jasmine Manankil
. In the main event, they were able to win against the likes of
Misfits Black
Misfits Black
Inactive
panday
Tastyy
Carlee
Carlee Gress
edith
Eden Bryce Cutlip
Slandy
Presley Anderson
and Complexity with 2-1 victories.
That set them up to play against C9 in the upper finals once again. Unfortunately for them, the grudge match ended in a quick 2-0 defeat. As a result, they had to face off against Misfits Black to clinch the right to travel to Berlin. If they lost and Misfits won the tournament, those dreams would be shattered.
Misfits were in great shape as well: their star player, Ava "florescent" Eugene, had finally turned 16 and was eligible to play in the Game Changer tournaments. This match would be no walk in the park.
Map one, Icebox, which was SR's pick, did not go their way. florescent was on the warpath, and led Misfits to a quick 13-4 victory off the back of a monstrous 31/5 KD and 484 ACS.
Map two, despite being Misfits' map of choice, was more balanced. Misfits were able to take a minor lead after a 7-5 half, but struggled after switching to defense. SR were able to win almost seven rounds in a row after the pistol, winning the map 13-8.
On Pearl, Misfits Black were able to win six rounds in a row to begin the match. SR bounced back with five of their own to end the half at 7-5 in team Misfits' favor. On attack, SR's Lorri went huge for the team, with 26 kills in the half alone and a 100% KAST. With several multi-kills and even an ace from her, SR were able to win the map 13-11.
Misfits weren't down for the count. florescent was back on her Jett and running at full power. With a commanding 352 ACS, she shepherded Misfits to a 13-8 victory, pushing the series to map five.
The decider, Fracture, started off well enough for SR. They began the map on defense, and with strong performances across the board, managed an 8-4 half. On attack, they extended their lead further to 11-5, until Misfits were able to win four rounds in a row to close SR's lead down to just two rounds.
What looked like the start of a comeback was quickly halted with SR winning one more round to take themselves to map and series point. Misfits managed one last gasp before SR pushed through, winning the map 13-10, and the series 3-2. They'd qualified for a grand final rematch against their rivals, C9, but more importantly, they locked their slot in at Berlin.
In the grand finals of Series III, Cloud 9 White won a shut-out victory against SR, 3-0.
Despite the heavy loss, SR's prospects remain positive. They still have the distinction of being the only team to have beaten C9 White in a Game Changers event. But to win at Berlin, they will not just have to defeat their regional arch-nemesis, but also the representatives of other regions.
Shopify Rebellion GC
Shopify Rebellion GC
Inactive
will face EMEA's
Guild GC
Guild GC
Europe
Rank #72
Xaline
Laure Mateos
on Nov. 16.
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