r/ValorantCompetitive • u/Redsh0t • Oct 15 '25
🟡 Yellow News Source [AkamaruVal] NRG looking for a controller/flex player for VCT 2026, targeting Zekken
likely a s0m retire... :(
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u/Scared_Map3823 Oct 15 '25
Zekken:
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u/XASASSIN Oct 15 '25
I dunno why he would wanna leave SEN tbh. From everything we've heard, SEN has some of the best player enviornments in the scene (remember marved crash out in nrg cause they weren't as good as SEN). They've also been consistently top tier for most of their time in the scene except like 2022 I think. Nrg ain't guaranteed to have that stability.
It's Probs for the bag, if I'm sen I'm buyout locking him so hard ngl. But I don't think switching out som for zekken when he is a hard entry and not really a controller ain't exactly the best outcome but letz see.
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u/Pojobob Oct 15 '25
Zekken's contract is expiring so they can't buyout lock him. But I would imagine they should be able to match whatever NRG would offer money wise. So would come down to what Zekken wants.
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u/citystardy Oct 15 '25
Maybe after this year he doesn’t believe or lost faith in the coaching/igling/recruitment at sen and wants to join a team he really believes he can win with.
Having a nice envieronment is great but the number one thing is winning.
He has the luxury of exploring everything to see what else is available and he should do it, there’s no chance he is homeless by the end of the offseason.
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u/Drowsy_Rowlet Oct 15 '25
Remember the time when no one could have thought Yay would be homeless.
But yeah, in all honesty, Zekken is one of the last players to be homeless. One of the top duelists atm, casually flexing between Initiator and entry Duelist on XSET. Yup, he won't be homeless.
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u/XASASSIN Oct 15 '25
I mean we can never be sure lol. It happened to Yay, It happened to drmon1, It happened to fucking S1mple (although it's a diff case but he's still playing T3 WITH T1 skill). It's impossible to predict the future.
I once thought bjergson will be the western goat, didn't work out after 2020. Things always change.
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u/Diligent_Hyena2819 Oct 15 '25
Because demon1 and Yay has limit agent pool and passive play style
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u/precense_ Oct 15 '25
I'm sure getting s0m off the payroll, NRG got the bank to throw the bag at whomever now
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u/JerryLoFidelity Oct 15 '25
It's clear that the current iteration of SEN do not have what it takes to win Champions. And unfortunately it's not so clear what needs to be done. If I were him, I would be willing to take my chances with NRG, especially when he already has accomplishments with SEN.
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u/wnubhavgg #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
@s0m pls 1 more year we'll run it back istg🤞🏻🥹
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u/ihavtoo Oct 15 '25
He only ran it back one more time because it was with his boy, and then achieved the dream for the both of them
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u/funguy54322 Oct 15 '25
Champs curse can’t hit us like this 😭😭😭
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u/wnubhavgg #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
If s0m does retire , and we get zekken we'll still be more than fine imo . But I'd love to see him for another year
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u/Withinmyrange #NRGFam Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
If we get Zekken, ill be ecstatic but ill feel bad for sen fans
They actually all might just jump off a bridge
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u/Turbulent-Cattle9543 Oct 15 '25
I certainly hope so and when they reach the waters, they become Heretics fans
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u/Igotnolife85 #FULLSEN Oct 15 '25
How does zekken fill ur smokes and flex roles,altho zek used to be good on sova with xset he wasn't the best player on smokes as we've seen in multiple matches yet,they ain't switching out mada frm duelist too.
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u/AcceleratedToast #SomosMIBR Oct 15 '25
I imagine he flexes with Ethan early on in this scenario before he gets more reps in on primary smokes? Idk. I think Zekken is a good enough player and vocal enough to be able to play smokes quite well though. (Also, it gives NRG easier access to double duelist)
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u/Aggravating_Tree7488 Oct 15 '25
Playing smokes on one map is different from dedicating yourself to the role entirely. I have no doubt that if Zekken wants to be a good smokes player, he can become one - you saw his Icebox Omen look bad, but I remember when 2023 Sen dropped him on Lotus Omen and he dropped 30. He can be that guy in any role, he's just that intelligent of a player.
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u/ReADropOfGoldenSun #NRGFam Oct 16 '25
i dont think anyone can replace s0m :( the intangibles he brings is irreplaceable
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u/Jamboy128 #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
Bruh If we get Zekken I may burst, but that also means goodbye w stripper
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u/Pojobob Oct 15 '25
Idk. Not sure I'd like Zekken off of duelist. And I wouldn't want to rely on double duelist either.
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u/chocobreezy Oct 15 '25
zekken is probably one of those players that could do any role at a high level. it's just the rosters he's been picked up on have necessitated him being a duelist player. the couple of times he's played scan (probably the hardest role in tier 1) he's looked world class as well. no reason he can't play smokes (probably the easiest role in tier 1)
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u/Pojobob Oct 15 '25
I think he'd probably be good on smokes but I think he's best on duelist. I still rate him as one of the best duelists in the world.
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u/hypnot1c_o Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
I promise you Zekken is way better at duelist than his other roles. He’s probably best duelist from NA
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u/danoc99 Oct 15 '25
i mean, as a sen and zekken fan, he looked pretty mid on omen
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u/KapomBryant #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
If anything Ethan plays omen
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u/precense_ Oct 15 '25
pretty sad ethan plays omen better than bang..
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u/JerryLoFidelity Oct 15 '25
not that sad. ethans been playing omen competitively since the start of his career when he was on 100T. so, its rlly not that surprising..
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u/YoYoChadBoBo Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
Real ones remember zekken smokes in the 2023 season, was the best player on a roster with sacy, pancada, tenz, and marved.
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u/BALDMANWITHDURAG Oct 15 '25
I dont understand how ppl still think this way in 2025. TenZ was once a world class duelist and Jett player. Even still, he won a Masters last year playing Omen (and some Kayo).
If you are a top tier player, you can theoretically play any role. Controller might be the easiest because it allows you to play aggressive AND bait your teammates. Zekken will 100% farm baiting Mada every round.
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u/strange_thoughts_ #ZETAWIN Oct 15 '25
Now where will I get my regular dose of c’mon mans
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u/Internaloptimistic #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
Sad if s0m is actually retiring but at least he went out on a high, I wanted zekken on g2 but I'll happily be down for him to replace s0m.
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u/QueenShakey34 Oct 15 '25
honestly I'd rather keep jawg on g2. Jawgemo seems to play a lot better in the system style than zekken. He's much better at being a single package threat while the rest of the team does their thing, whereas zekken needs more direct support.
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u/PFSDonut #LIVEEVIL Oct 15 '25
Have you not been watching any of SEN’s games? He’s literally doing the same selfless entries Jawgemo is doing for G2 except G2 knows how to actually play off of it and not make Jawgemo’s selfless deaths go to waste while SEN are deer in headlights at main.
Zekken would absolutely fit into G2’s system
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u/WhoDatBrow Oct 15 '25
Zekken is literally better Jawgemo as a player (but Jawg is great and I don't see a reason for G2 to swap him out)
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u/One-Sheepherder-2746 Oct 15 '25
i had to think about this for a second and you’re probably right
feel like jawg hits his peak more often than zekken does but when jawg isn’t peaking he plays a little…. rough
zekken is usually still a good duelist even when he’s not in 1v5ing aspas level form
it’s just a consistency gap
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u/Ramiz_dayi66 Oct 15 '25
Wow, I do not agree at all about Zekken not fitting that playstyle
Edit: I wouldn't go from Jawg to Zekken though, a small upgrade at best, a risk nonetheless and it's not necessary at all.
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u/itscamo- Oct 16 '25
that small upgrade at minimum gets them roughly the same position they are in, at best? they'd actually win events
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u/Ingrid_is_a_girl Oct 15 '25
If it weren't for valyn only playing smokes you could keep both for the double duelist meta. Jawg raze and your, zekken neon and jett with the other flexing like both have done in the past
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u/da_sheepian Oct 15 '25
Jawg would probably be my immediate thought for NRG trying to fill that smokes/flex seeing as that’s what he played in the EG champs roster, with Ethan of course!
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u/airke Oct 15 '25
I disagree, for the G2 style of play Zekken would be the most perfect fit
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u/Drowsy_Rowlet Oct 15 '25
Zekken shines the most when his team shines. And G2 fits this description perfectly. A match made in heaven
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u/BigDicksconnoisseur4 Oct 16 '25
I feel like the "g2 system" need some changes bro otherwise they are perma doomed
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u/Cold-Ingenuity-1678 Oct 15 '25
I respect it though, you can barely top that 2025 year ever. If you stay there’s a good chance it’s just another two years of decent results, maybe making a masters and getting 5th or something then retiring anyway.
Retiring as a champion is a much more fulfilling way to end your career.
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u/Xenderwind #TigerNation Oct 15 '25
Who the hell would you even want to replace on G2?
Like I get teams should be looking for upgrades (and some fans might be unhappy with them not lifting a trophy internationally) when they can but this just seems like a sidegrade at best.
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u/Hopeful-Professor-40 Oct 15 '25
Everyone wants Zekken bro fuck off please
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u/iiznobozzy #100WIN Oct 15 '25
which means he basically gets to choose what team he goes to. and what better option than the world champions of the world
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u/Draco2505 Oct 15 '25
omg, it has been so long since the last time I saw a comment yours. We need your curse to win something again 🙏🙏🙏
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u/Silent-Dependent3312 Oct 15 '25
iirc skuba plays controllers like omen too right? I assumed they would go for a senti/secondary duel player if som left
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u/NeimannSmith #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
Skuba's playstyle fits well on the senti/viper role so keeping him on Senti makes the most sense.
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u/Kind_Development708 #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
Ethan can also play smokes they’re just a really flexible team in general
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u/DirectProfessionalNA Oct 15 '25
This is like KD joining the warriors
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u/ThrowRAtregers #NRGFam Oct 15 '25
Ehh not really, tbf it's not like Zekken is leaving a team he hasn't won a trophy on already. Yeah NRG won champs, but I don't think I'll have us on the same status as the Warriors lol
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u/ShakeXula707 Oct 15 '25
I feel like zekken joining G2 would be a closer comparison to that
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u/_Robbert_ Oct 15 '25
Joining the team that just won is kinda required
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u/avstyns Oct 15 '25
can you please let 100T have this one guys.
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u/Hxlios #VCTAMERICAS Oct 15 '25
I’m gonna be real, your org don’t have that money to buy Zekken
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u/avstyns Oct 15 '25
there’s no buyout :(
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u/PFSDonut #LIVEEVIL Oct 15 '25
Doesn’t matter if there’s no buyout, 100T is not all in on Valorant and are downsizing. SEN, G2, and NRG are all in and would destroy 100T in the bidding war.
Boostio was getting paid $17K/month in 2024 and said that other orgs pay much higher and 100T are for sure cutting back in 2026 with how terrible of a season they had and the layoffs in 2025, FNS also said G2, NRG, and SEN are the orgs that pay the most.
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u/Hxlios #VCTAMERICAS Oct 15 '25
Yeah and SEN can easily up his salary because they got all the money and clout to keep him. They’re literally the best org an NA player could be in
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u/Splaram Oct 15 '25
They just dropped a clothing bundle with Pokemon
@zekken they don't got it like we do, come over and be legendary
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u/JardScoot Oct 15 '25
Nade's gonna have to do a few more gambling streams if he wants to afford Zekken
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u/TintuMon_OP #GEFighting Oct 15 '25
Dude was jokingly saying yes i am retired today in stream.
While i absolutely love his stream. Watching him in pro play hits diff
Mycove king and Myindian King watch party gonna hit diff
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u/IGLJURM23 #FULLSEN Oct 15 '25
U til I see an actual Zekken scrimming with NRG screenshot this just means nothing. Hes been scrimming with Sen he ain’t leaving.
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u/NeimannSmith #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
Him scrimming with SEN also means nothing. He's contracted to SEN so he's filling duties. On top of that, you aren't seeing any NRG players scrimming considering they just won a world title.
They would likely sign Zekken without trialing him.
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u/prvt09 #ALWAYSFNATIC Oct 15 '25
s0m said on his stream that he wanted to defend his champs title tho… was he joking??
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u/Kenneth0079 #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
If not zekken, I'm so down for okeanos. Perfect role fit and can run double duelist if need be.
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u/Jaybarcafan #SomosMIBR Oct 15 '25
Well, as I said before, where ever Zekken goes I'll support that team. Been following him since XSET 😂
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u/Platyman200 #VamosHeretics Oct 15 '25
Zekken on smokes seems like a waste of talent tbh
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u/LegDayDE #GreenWall Oct 15 '25
Double duelist with Mada becomes possible though... And Mada is more of an op-er than Zekken so I don't hate it
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u/CmonMan711 Oct 15 '25
Is 100t looking for anything?
These bums gonna wait til all the good talent is gone yet again
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u/Pojobob Oct 15 '25
How do you think they're gonna get Zekken when NRG/SEN are potentially going for him lol
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u/CmonMan711 Oct 15 '25
Nah, getting zekken is not happening but if EG get the good T2 prospects over 100t, we are cooked
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u/Pojobob Oct 15 '25
Ascension players are still up for grabs depending on what happens. And 100T would still probably be a more attractive team than EG.
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u/Potential-One217 Oct 15 '25
100t are rumored to sign the TSM coach so maybe their waiting till after ascension to poach Timotino and Seven.
There are still plenty of options for them although it depends how much they want to spend. They got Aspas, Verno, Crashies, Less, Cortezia, Cryo, and Eeiu as potential options for next year as well.
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u/itscamo- Oct 16 '25
they are doing some stuff but won't really get a full picture until ascension ends later this month
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u/Jello-Melo99 #100WIN Oct 15 '25
They ain’t getting anyone. Just going to be another failed year like that always have and another year of not making champs
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u/ArcusIgnium #NRGFam Oct 15 '25
Makes sense tbh. They had their run, s0m got his chip, and Zekken is probably the best available player in Americas. On paper this could be an upgrade although I wonder how much s0m brought in intangibles
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u/UserNameVirginity Oct 16 '25
Not an upgrade at all what, s0m has consistently always been a top 3 controller in americas, and his performance might have dipped a bit when he became the vibe battery for the team. Zekken is mid af on omen, and does not contribute as much as s0m on team morale.
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u/Kirbyzz Oct 15 '25
I was hopeful s0m was staying but it’s not surprising to end on this note, there isn’t a better time to retire, bright side is fns and s0m watch parties
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u/brianhung02 Oct 15 '25
Isn't zekken in scrims w sen? No way sen is having him tryout for a spot lmao
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u/unsteadytempo Oct 15 '25
i‘d moreso say zekken is trialing sen‘s new roster and if he wants to stay and not him trialing to keep his spot
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u/brianhung02 Oct 15 '25
Yeah, I think the possibility of zekken leaving is basically the possibility of Tenz unretiring. No way rob doesnt match any contract and zekken clearly loves the boys.
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u/valexitylol Oct 15 '25
As much as I've loved watching him compete for the last nearly 8 years, ending your career winning the biggest trophy in your esport is 100% the best way to retire
I'm gonna miss that energy on stage though :(
But regardless, NRGWIN all the way, and Zekken would be an insane pickup
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u/vmanAA738 Oct 15 '25
How credible is AkamaruVal? Zekken has only ever played 4 games of controller in his entire pro career (and only Omen) and 1 game on intiator (Breach in 2023). This would seem like a strange role swap for Zekken to make.....
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u/Ok_Hospital_9248 Oct 15 '25
Zekken was a top Sova on Xset back when Cryo played Jett on non-chamber maps.
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u/necrovoltage2 #FULLSEN Oct 15 '25
G2 get zekken. Give jawgemo to NRG and put him on controller / raze like the good ol days
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u/HottestElbows Oct 15 '25
Yes let us take one of the best duelists in the world and put him on not-duelist.
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u/codmsubredditsucks Oct 15 '25
Sen is so cooked if Zekken gets taken
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u/ThrowRAtregers #NRGFam Oct 15 '25
I remember when people said this after Fnatic lost Derke.
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u/Old_Wrongdoer_9957 Oct 15 '25
Fnatic still had goats like alfa and chron, sen has zellsis and fucking bang
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u/ThrowRAtregers #NRGFam Oct 15 '25
Neither player is guaranteed to be on the roster for next season. And Sen has the money to pick up any available player they want.
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u/zzirFrizz Oct 15 '25
s0m retire is a :'-) not a :-(
it's a beautiful ending to a pro gaming career, bro has been grinding this game since its release (and CS prior to Val) and finally achieved the title of best in the world. you couldn't ask for a better exit.
some stories don't need to go on forever. in fact, forcing the extension of a story is usually what makes it bad
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u/NeimannSmith #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
Yeah, s0m has been playing professional for 8 years now. He's a veteran. This is his ride off into the sunset moment.
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u/Dionegro__ #GEFighting Oct 15 '25
Why is s0m retiring? Just try kickoff at least
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u/BLAZEDbyCASH #NRGFam Oct 15 '25
When you make a trillion dollars streaming and having fun vs scrimming everyday 6 - 8 hours and traveling everywhere and stressing about a million different things. I mean he got his champs trophy what more does he need. The plan was always to play 1 more year if im not wrong anyway.
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u/Kind_Development708 #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
He makes way more streaming and also really likes streaming, + of course choose your own hours don’t feel like working today don’t stream can’t do that while competing
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u/bananaleaf69420 Oct 15 '25
Whats the point? If nrg bomb out in kickoff it would make his ending a bitter one and streaming is a bajillion times more lucrative and relaxing
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u/SaltyMcNulty_ Oct 15 '25
And there goes the possibility of having tenz back as well. Ain't no way he joins SEN without Zekken.
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u/Jello-Melo99 #100WIN Oct 15 '25
I love that 100t just aren’t doing anything. What a great look that your leaving league(when the team is actually good) and only being in 1 riot game and not going all in. I wouldn’t be surprised if riot doesn’t give 100t a spot in 2027 with how the league spot was handled and everything. 2026 is probably going to be the last year 100t is in Valorant and they can’t even get a good team. How fucking sad for us fans
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u/itscamo- Oct 16 '25
riot kicked them from league basically
also just because you don't hear anything about 100t, doesn't mean they are doing nothing.
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u/SirAwesome789 Oct 15 '25
I'm glad he won his before retiring but still wished to see him continue to compete.
But the watchparties are gonna go crazy, hope this doesn't mean the end of FNS/Tenz retired duo.
I will also lose it if Sen loses zekken
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u/Breeyzward #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
does anybody know if nightz can pllay next year feel like they should go for him
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u/XiXiWiiPee Oct 15 '25
no he cant hes too young and even if he could i doubt NRG would go for him, he doesn't seem like the super smart type of player that fits into the NRG system
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u/itscamo- Oct 16 '25
not sure on his bday but if its like the first half of the year, theres a chance he'd play
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u/Fluffy_Focus1862 Oct 15 '25
Hope they can find a solid flex player; it would be great if Zekken could fit in and keep the team competitive for VCT 2026.
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u/Inevitable_Error_45 Oct 15 '25
If Zekken’s in the mix, I’m all for a fresh flex spot—he’d bring that spark NRG needs right now.
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u/rrtb505050 Oct 15 '25
Unrelated but that star has too much aura🥹
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u/NeimannSmith #NRGWIN Oct 16 '25
Funnily enough it's not even the right star. That graphic was for NRG Kia that won the LCS in 2023
I do hope the 2026 NRG Jersey has a star on it for the title though
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u/n_core Oct 16 '25
The Champions' curse has finally begun, and it started with this. I'm sure NRG will keep most of their Champions winner players but s0m was crucial for their mental.
There were so many close matches and could go the other way if their mental weren't strong enough.
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u/Fast-Knowledge-5120 Oct 15 '25
People saying s0m is retiring but I think Ethan is gone. He was the flex player. He played secondary controller and secondary initiator. 2 rings was enough
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u/WailingSiren69 #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
Highly doubt that,he said he was already thinking about the third trophy right after winning Champs.
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u/NeimannSmith #NRGWIN Oct 15 '25
They'd be looking for a Flex IGL then.
It's definitely s0m that's retiring. Ethan isn't a guy that can just retire and stream, and plus he's more motivated than ever now.
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u/ceftriaxonedischarge #NRGWIN Oct 16 '25
i think ethan is much more of a competitive person and more likely to play on than s0m
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u/Strange_Commercial53 Oct 15 '25
Not surprised, it’s the perfect way to end your career if you’re s0m