Let's take a look at it this way. We already know orgs within franchising are paid a stipend to maintain and build upon/continue their eSports operations AND orgs also get a classic capsule which can be a large source of revenue. Most ascension teams on the other hand aren't rewarded as much and probably don't have the infrastructure or support to offer the players that franchising orgs do (though there are definitely exceptions to the rule).

It IS stupid to write ascension teams off as "tier 2 so they shouldn't win" but there's definitely an advantage to be had by being part of a franchised team, be it being paid league minimum or eating better or whatever other boons you gain from being part of the franchising system.

Honestly I think keeping this narrative makes games more interesting, it's like climbing a tower and the each floor presents more difficult enemies. idk. Just my thoughts. 67

https://tracker.gg/valorant/insights/agents

Iso 2.2%
Waylay 2.3%
Neon 3.1%
Phoenix 3.3%

Free and public resource. Educate yourself before making claims. Phoenix is fine as-is. His identity is fine as a contact duelist and he definitely does NOT need a Splatoon-esque ability.

Ardiis heaved and looked down at his belly, almost as if wanting to speak with it. What lay in front of him was a troubling sight, an ultimatum which confronted his darkest fears. He had been eating a large chocolate egg not too long ago, but one step with too much force from his Greek-God modelled legs had broken the simulation and now he stood in front of tracks. Two tracks and a lever. In the distance, he heard the soft rumbling of... Something large. A locomotive. Of course, there were vibrations that everyone else nearby would be able to sense but his gigantic demi-god build had prevented him from feeling such minute movements of the earth. He looked up once more, as if done deliberating with his tummy buddy. On one side of the rails lay the team that he once achieved 4th in Masters Tokyo with, NRG. Crashes, Victor, FNS and S0m. His eyes shook as he glanced at the other track. It was his long-time partner-in-crime ANGE1.

"Bro."

He muttered. A curse. S0m, who had been tied down closest to Ardiis looked away. But it had been too late. A foul odor entered his nose, making it's way down to his lungs. On the spot, his vision fell dark as he fell completely limp. Crashies stared at Ardiis, conviction, and tears, in his eyes.

"Fam, it's ok if you let us die. I've left Boaster with our child, my legacy."

This shook Ardiis to his core. He knew now what he needed to do, seeing the self-sacrifice presented to him by Crashies.

"Bro. Don't worry bro. I've got you bro."

Having said that, he started jumping. Nearby, a dust storm had started. The ground below him turning into debris, and that debris into dust, smashed. Minced. Destroyed. Atomized. The train was getting closer by the second but he feared not. He had resolved himself already. A deep breath. And then he started running. Towards the locomotive. Towards an uncertain future. The sand below him exploded.

On the other side of the world, buildings in China started collapsing. The ground eroded. Structural damage to the nation had been done on a level never seen before and yet the cause was unknown. Knight trembled in fear, opening his mouth.

"He's running."

And then it stopped. For a moment, Ardiis had updrafted into the air. A jump even Michael Jordan wouldn't be able to replicate. In that split-second, he was Jett. He took one last look at his best friend. His eternal lover, his tummy. And then, he thrusted himself belly-first into the oncoming locomotive before it could go onto either rail.

The mere impact had caused the vehicle to bounce off and head skywards, as if bound for the stars. But it had been done. All 5 people on the tracks had been saved. The dust settled and everyone gasped. Ardiis had disappeared. But they knew he wasn't dead. He had simply retreated to a nearby Burger King to regain his energy. Crashies and FNS went home to celebrate with Boaster. Ange1 would work hard to find and re-contract with Ardiis. S0m on the other hand, S0m would never recover from this, receiving Ardiichritis from the brief attack on his lungs. His viewers would be surprised at his frequent usage of "bro" during his stream, a record 67 times in 10 seconds.

Ardiis would then post his LFF (Looking For Food) on Twitter.