The Ludwig x Tarik Invitational was the primary offline event held within the VCT 2023 calendar. Though it was a B-tier occasion with solely 4 groups, many VALORANT followers tuned in to observe the two-day event over the weekend. Whereas Sentinels have been thought-about favorites going into the Invitational, The Guard stunned everybody with their efficiency. They conquered each workforce, profitable the event and taking house $30,000 in prize cash.
Aside from co-hosts Ludwig Ahgren and Tarik Celik, many notable personalities from the VALORANT scene like Sideshow, Balla, AEvilcat, Bren, and sgares additionally got here collectively to commentate on the matches and proceedings.
On the first day, The Guard beat T1 and the Sentinels decimated TSM, permitting each profitable groups to advance to the upper-bracket finals. Sadly, Sentinels misplaced right here and dropped to the decrease bracket, whereas The Guard certified for the grand finals. In the meantime, TSM triumphed over T1 and was set to face Sentinels the subsequent day.
On the second day, TSM performed in opposition to Sentinels within the decrease bracket. They have been capable of win back-to-back maps to kick Sentinels out of the competitors and transfer to the grand finals. Subsequent was a present match between Offline TV (Tarik, Masayoshi, Brodin, yvonnie, and QuarterJade) and Mogul Strikes (Ludwig, shroud, Aiden, envy, and Yingling). It was a back-and-forth sequence with the Offline TV workforce securing a 2-1 win over Mogul Strikes.
The Guard seemed extra ready than TSM within the grand finals. Regardless that TSM gained on Pearl and took the lead, it was a detailed name. The Guard bounced again by profitable on Ascent to equalize the sequence. Within the decider sport on Haven, TSM bought wholly crushed. The Guard dominated and had dropped just one spherical earlier than profitable the map and the sequence.
With Guard profitable the Ludwig x Tarik Invitational, the VALORANT offseason attracts to a detailed. Though the non-franchised VCT groups like TSM and The Guard carried out a lot better than T1 and Sentinels, the latter groups can’t be written off. Many groups are nonetheless in midst of adapting after the roster shuffle within the offseason. As they quiet down, these enormous skills are sure to pop off at VCT occasions.
