8 teams entered the ring, but only one can be crowned champion!
In the Quarterfinals, we saw all 4 favourites (Envy, TSM, 100 Thieves, and Sentinels) win 2-0 with the closest series being 100T vs T1 (13-10, 13-10). In the Semifinals, some may have had Envy and Sentinels as favourites, but the 2 best teams were clearly TSM and 100 Thieves.
The Finals was a rematch from the 1st Closed Qualifier, where 100 Thieves beat TSM 2-0 in a close match (13-7, 15-13). TSM have been that dominant team since the start of Valorant back in June; picking up eight 1st place finishes in tournaments and qualifiers. 100 Thieves are on their 2nd iteration of their team with their 1st iteration most recently finishing 13th-16th twice before disbanding; they have bounced back by finishing 2nd in the first Closed Qualifier. The first 2 maps (Split & Bind) were super close (15-13, 13-11) with 100 Thieves clutching out both. The next 2 maps (Ascent & Haven) were traded (7-13, 13-7), which gave 100T the series 3-1.
Even though 100 Thieves are a newly put together team, they have a strong veteran presence in Hiko, Nitro, and Steel in combination with younger, fearless talent in Asuna and Dicey. Everything came together for the team and they adjusted well to the meta and other teams.
Inspired by https://runitback.gg/article/north-america-first-strike-awards, here are some additional "Awards" that I think should be given out from First Strike.
Zoomer (under 20) Award - 100T Asuna w/ 245 ACS, 164 K, 169 D, 46 FB
In Their Prime Award - TSM Drone w/ 243.1 ACS, 1.37 KD, 165 ADR, 38% HS
Boomer (over 30) Award - 100T Hiko w/ 219.4 ACS, 1.39 KD, 165 K, 81 A
Clutch Master Award - 100T Hiko w/ 10 CL out 64 chances, 16% CL rate
Honorable Mention - 100T Steel w/ 6 CL out 21 chances, 29% CL rate
Multi-Killers - Asuna (42), Wardell (37), nitr0 (36), Subroza (36), drone (35)
A = Assists
ACS = Average Combat Score
ADR = Average Damage per Round
CL = Clutches
D = Deaths
FB = First Bloods
HS = Head Shot %
K = Kills
KD = Kill Death Ratio
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