Leviatán win Masters London but miss Champions Shanghai: Should VCT change qualification rules?

Just weeks after lifting the Masters London trophy, Leviatán faces a more painful defeat than any match: they are not going to Champions Shanghai, the Valorant world championship. This paradox has sparked debate in the esports community: is the current VCT points system fair, or does it punish teams that peak at the right time but stumble in early stages? Leviatán, an Americas team, impressed at Masters London with fast-paced play and perfect coordination around young star Neon, who earned MVP. However, the path to Champions depends on points accumulated across four stages: Kickoff, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Masters. Only the top-point teams per region advance. In VCT Americas – described as “absolutely stacked” – Leviatán earned only 15 points, not enough to qualify. Neon's absence during Kickoff due to age restrictions was a critical blow. The team lost early points. Even after Neon returned, Leviatán failed to stabilize, allowing NRG and G2 Esports to pull ahead. But strategic decisions also played a role. They self-banned their best map Split (11-0 record) and deviated from their trusted Neon-Phoenix composition. Caster Sliggy noted that Leviatán experimented too much while points were still at risk. “They banned their best map and strayed from the style that won Masters, even though they could have qualified if not for those mistakes,” Sliggy said. The VCT points system rewards consistency, but Leviatán’s case exposes a flaw: the Masters winner is not automatically qualified for Champions. In weaker regions, 15 points might have been enough. However, automatic berths could encourage one-hit-wonders. Riot may need to balance consistency and peak performance. Fan reaction has been mixed, with many calling for rule changes, while others blame Leviatán’s tactical errors. The absence of a top team diminishes Champions’ draw for sponsors and broadcasters. Riot has not commented, but precedents in other esports suggest potential reform. Leviatán’s lesson: manage early-season roster and avoid overconfidence. The season is long, and they may return stronger.