Leviatán won Masters London but missed Champions Shanghai: Is the VCT points system fair?

Just weeks after lifting the Masters London 2026 trophy, Leviatán – one of the top Valorant teams in the Americas – received a shocking blow: they failed to qualify for Champions Shanghai, the most prestigious year-end tournament. This event has ignited a heated debate within the esports community about the fairness of the VCT points system run by Riot Games. Leviatán earned their spot at Masters London through impressive early-season performances. In London, they defeated a series of strong opponents from various regions, showcasing versatile gameplay and excellent meta adaptation. However, that victory only granted them 15 VCT points – not enough to compete for a Champions slot in the Americas region, which is described as “absolutely stacked” (according to analyst Sliggy). The primary reason Leviatán lacked points was their poor start to the season. At the VCT Kickoff, the team was without their star player Bruno ‘Neon’ Rodríguez due to age restrictions (Neon was still 17 when the tournament began). This absence forced Leviatán to earn only a modest number of points, creating a gap they couldn’t close against direct rivals like NRG and G2 Esports – teams that consistently accumulated points throughout the stages. Furthermore, Leviatán themselves made controversial strategic decisions. In Stage 2, despite being nearly guaranteed a playoff spot, they voluntarily banned Split – a map where they had an 11-0 winning streak – and experimented with lineups that omitted the trusted Neon-Phoenix combo. Sliggy commented: “They made it hard for themselves. When you have an advantage, experimentation is necessary, but if you choose the wrong timing, you pay the price.” Leviatán paid with their Champions ticket. Currently, the VCT points system is designed to reward consistency throughout the entire season. Teams with stable performances, accumulating points from Kickoff, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Masters events, secure slots. Conversely, a resounding victory at Masters – even an international tournament – only adds points but does not guarantee a direct berth. This creates a paradox: the mid-season world champion may watch the year-end championship from home. The question arises: Should Riot Games change the rules to grant an automatic slot for the Masters winner? Opinions are divided. Some argue the current system is reasonable because it encourages teams to maintain form all season, avoiding the “peaks and valleys” phenomenon. Others, like many Leviatán fans, believe a team that has proven itself globally deserves a place on the biggest stage. Technically, Leviatán boasts a very strong roster. Neon was the Masters London MVP with outstanding Duelist skills. The other members also have high synergy, especially in map control and tactical coordination. However, early-season inconsistency and risky strategic choices cost them. If the system remains unchanged, Leviatán must learn to accumulate points early, rather than focusing only on major tournaments. This incident also highlights an imbalance in VCT’s age restriction rule. While regional tournaments allow players under 18, VCT Kickoff enforces an 18-year threshold. This puts teams with young stars at a significant disadvantage early in the season. Riot should review this to ensure fairness among teams. Zooming out, the VCT points system creates immense pressure on teams in the Americas – a region packed with strong teams like NRG, G2, 100 Thieves, and now Leviatán. Just a few losses or one wrong strategic decision can cost a Champions slot. This indirectly reduces the quality of the year-end championship, as fans cannot see the best teams compete. In conclusion, Leviatán’s story is a wake-up call for both Riot Games and the teams. The points system should be designed more flexibly, perhaps adding a direct berth for Masters champions or increasing the weight of international tournaments. At the same time, teams need a long-term strategy, not just chasing big events. Champions Shanghai will lack Leviatán this season, but hopefully this will drive positive changes for the future of Valorant Esports.