I think it's a given I'm aware of the schedule format if I'm complaining about it

I'm obtuse but the moment you get some evidence that doesn't go your way it's "what are you talking about there's no scheduling problem" and a subject change xDDD

cool. still no answer as to why the same issues of map pool, team comp, and agents, all of which are issues in every single esport, is magically magnified because it's valorant. Dota and league have different agent pools, cs has varying map pools, and OWL/MR has all of the above. Those tournaments somehow find a way to put out a good product in a reasonable schedule. Cocomelon counter strike just too hard tho

I don't think changing map pools are unique to Valorant. OWL has to deal with differing agents and team comps as well. DK why you're trying to downplay it, there's currently a 13 day gap between rounds in the pacific tournament. Are you suggesting teams need 2 weeks to prevent a "mud fest"?

is there some reason that valorant matches are orders of magnitude more stressful than every other esport on the planet?

Pet peeve I've had with Valorant tournaments forever now. Incomprehensible why there's so much time between round 2 and 3 of the playoffs. CS events have matches every single day. Are they just trying to force us to watch tier 2 events? Valorant viewership is already subpar compared to other major Esports, surely a week between rounds isnt helping.