EWC isn't mickey ONLY IF...

#1

Detiel

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The team that gets second place is well respected. Think about it like this: if NRG had beaten 100t, literally NO ONE would've given a single shit. Why? Because historically 100T are pretty shit on a global scale, but what happens when that result is reversed like it was? NRG are currently one of The teams to beat on an international level. If you can beat NRG, objectively speaking, you're probably a pretty damn good team, and it immediately gives some level of value to 100T's EWC win. The same could be said if 100T beat PRX or LEV. Beating a good team in a grand final IS an accomplishment worth noting.

I don't think this puts it on the same level as a champs win, but I don't think it's far off from a masters win. Also, yes, winning EWC 2026 is more valuable than EWC 2025. Teams had much more time to prepare for it this year, knowing it would be part of the circuit from the start of the year.

tldr;

EWC2025 < LockIn < EWC2026 = 8 team masters < 12 team masters < Champs

edit: I don't want to hear anything about bias. Dog, my team fucking LOST

#2

c4rrotstix

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good take youngin

anyways cryo has an international mvp and zekken has an international mvp dephh was a terrorist

also 2025s qualifications were a shitshow and a joke, 2025 is less respected than regionals IMO

IMO ewc 2025 =< regional trophy < lock in < ewc 26 = 8 team masters < 12 team masters = champs

obviously people will argue 12 team masters < champs but as a league watcher please take it from me do not adopt this mentality it makes the entire circuit hell to watch because no one gives a shit until the end and people only care about the end

#10

Detiel

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I think champs is a bit more valuable than 12 teams masters but not like 2x. Mostly due to Riot's framing of the event, prize pool, and quantity of teams competing. + no buy into playoffs means everyone actually has to earn their spot

edit: I mean, just look at champs 2025. If it was a 12-team event, DRX/Heretics/MIBR all don't qualify. That's 3 of the teams that placed top 6

#3

OhDrxw

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how is lock in worse than 2026 please tell me the only thing you can say is single elim when ewc was single elim too

#5

OhDrxw

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the top 4 was literally drx fnc navi and loud in what world is that flukey

#6

c4rrotstix

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nrg, prx, c9 (yes, yay dysfunction whatever bro), 100t, edg, giants unable to get 2nd chances and prove they were better than the rest

there is a reasonable argument to be made that nrg was a top 2 team at that event and never got to show it because of the single elim format

#7

Detiel

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EWC 2026 had single-elimination playoffs, but it did have lowers for groups. Also, I think the general level of team play post-Lock-In increased quite dramatically.

Also, FNC's Lock-In bracket is genuinely the easiest bracket, maybe of all time at an international event, which doesn't particularly help.

#4

Cheeders

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mfs can never convince me that ewc is worth more than lockin. there were 32 teams in that event and that grandfinal is still the best valorant grandfinal to ever grace valorant. the crowd, the storyline and everything, there is actual high stakes involved so i dont know how u think ewc is better than lock in? only NA fans would think of that.

#8

c4rrotstix

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so if i held a single elim tournament in my basement with 48 teams and just threw shit at a wall until i got a top 2 and then they played a close bo5 thats enough to make it a valid format?

lock in was a bad format its ok to admit, yes it was very fun hype matches but it was carried by the crowd and matches, the format itself was some dogshit mickey mousing

#12

Cheeders

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lock in is a part of the official valorant circuit which ewc isnt
It included every team of VCT
Most teams actually took it seriously
Anyone have opinions whether its a bad format or not, but either way teams actually had their priorities set to this tournament
People actually watched lock in unlike ewc
sure the level of competition of ewc and masters may be close but thats not the only thing that makes a tournament a major, its the high stakes involved both for the players and the orgs. The biggest stakes in Valorant only exist within the official VCT circuit because that's the ecosystem Riot supports and rewards. That's where teams and orgs have their priorities, since success in VCT matters for their future in the scene. Meanwhile ewc is still a third-party event and the only stakes involved there is prize money and not including the future of the orgs/players. The big line that separates lockin from ewc is lockin is part of riot and ewc is not. So it can never be equal. Thats how simple it is.

I can assure u that if 2 top teams had a close gf game in ewc same to lockin, it still wouldnt have the same thrill and stakes that vct internationals provide.

Plus it doesnt make sense that there is a gap between ewc 2025 and ewc 2026 since its just the same damn event and ur really just being bias.

#13

Detiel

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That's where teams and orgs have their priorities, since success in VCT matters for their future in the scene

If you dont think the entire 100T roster didn't just secure their contracts for the next year, you are crazy, and the future of the org doesn't depend on success; it depends on engagement with the scene, bundle sales, and popularity. Winning EWC will definitely boost bundle sales and popularity so it also helps prop them up in the eyes of riot.

Plus it doesnt make sense that there is a gap between ewc 2025 and ewc 2026

EWC 2025 was announced on February 10th 2025. By this point in the year, Kickoff had already concluded in every single region. Teams found out in the middle of the season they now had to allocate time to a qualifier they previously DID NOT HAVE TO. Even ignoring how fucking HORRIBLE the qualifiers for 2025 were, this ALREADY completely brings into question the legitimacy of the entire event. Then, to get to the grand final, Heretics had to beat a horrible China team, RR fucking Q, BBL??? and finally the first legit team they played was Gen.G, the serial chokers. Then, to top it all off, the grand final was somehow double EMEA? A region that has not done anything SINCE DINOSAURS WALKED THE EARTH.

OH, and DON'T FORGET THEY PLAYED BEST OF ONES AT THE MAIN FUCKING EVENT??????????

edit: and I somehow forgot to mention, G2, who MANY people considered to be the third best team ITW at the time, PLAYED WITH THEIR COACH in place of their best player

#17

Cheeders

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I never denied that ewc can boost popularity for teams in fact it does. But VCT is still the main priority because thats what orgs rely on for their long term success. It is still what matters more for their future. I mean look at it the ewc viewership is so low compared to vct. vct still reels in much more views. ewc can definitely give teams the boost that they need but teams have nothing to lose in ewc. Unlike vct where there is everything to gain and there is everything to lose.

ur acting like ewc 2026 qualifiers is already good, no its not and the way it was hosted is still so mickey. The only difference is teams have more preparation for ewc 2026. And i dont really care what teams beat who and what teams face who, whether a team faced "shit" teams to get to the final. thats not the point because thats all up to opinions. ewc 2025 and ewc 2026 is still the same event with just different formats. And i do agree that the ewc 2026 format is better but the gap between the 2 tournaments are not that big.

#9

cozyQT

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u are right lockin was great + crowd too
ewc crowd are biased

#11

camefentran

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EWC is Mickey mostly because of the way it was organized. You can't call this tournament legitimate if it overlaps with CN Stage 2. Even if China is the weakest region, that alone is enough to show that it's not on the same level. Not to mention the high-ping qualifiers happening only a few days before Masters, and the main event happening right before Stage 2 (for emea americas apac) which is much more important in principle since it leads to Champions.

#14

OhDrxw

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didnt u just make a post that its not mickey

#15

LugiaVLR

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noone cares about cn

#16

camefentran

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memea

#18

Prase

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Valid take

I wouldn’t call ewc better than a masters or champions. But I agree it’s around the same tier as 8- team masters. I even forgot we had 8- team masters.