After a dismal begin to the NA VALORANT Challengers 2023 season, the MAD Lions group has formally parted methods with two extra beginning roster members between splits, signaling a large overhaul of the roster they guess on earlier than qualifiers started.
The group introduced as we speak it was was releasing each Taylor “drone” Johnson and Anthony “ZexRow” Colandro. Having already moved on from former 100T duelist William “Will” Cheng in the course of the first cut up, now solely Adam “Ange” Milian and Justin “Trick” Sears stay from the unique beginning roster that MAD Lions had excessive hopes for.
Again in January, Until Werdermann, director of franchise operations at MAD Lions’ mother or father firm OverActive Media, told Dot Esports that the group had signed the roster previously often called Darkish Ratio earlier than the open qualifiers for NA VALORANT Challengers. Werdermann expressed that MAD Lions had “a excessive quantity of confidence” within the roster, particularly after Will had been introduced on.
Nevertheless, most of that beginning roster is now gone after only one cut up. Throughout the first cut up, MAD Lions received their opening map versus TSM earlier than occurring to lose eight straight maps throughout 4 weeks, going 0-4 in matches. Will was moved to the bench and changed by Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey after two matches. Whereas the staff was already out of Mid Season Faceoff competition, they at the very least managed to shut out the primary cut up with a comeback win towards fellow 0-4 staff OREsports.
MAD Lions’ in-game chief Trick posted an replace on the roster following the bulletins, taking duty and saying he “failed closely as a frontrunner constructing an atmosphere for achievement early,” and admitting that his errors had an “excessive adverse” impact on the gamers round him. Trick additionally wrote that MAD Lions must “take dangers” and make “drastic modifications” to the roster in the event that they wish to attain Ascension.
Whereas all 12 groups in NA VALORANT Challengers may have an opportunity at playoffs, the groups that end within the backside 4 should begin within the decrease bracket. MAD Lions usually are not the one staff making strikes; Disguised Toast is supposedly trialing some new gamers, together with some potentially massive superstar names.
The second cut up of NA VALORANT Challengers League is ready to start in two weeks on April 18.
