Team Heretics, the Spanish esports organization, took a bold leap by betting on Valorant early, signing their first roster in 2020 when the competitive scene was just starting to take shape. Despite numerous attempts to break through, the organization’s real success didn’t come until 2024, following a series of risky decisions that ultimately paid off. In this article, we’ll explore Team Heretics' journey to success.
Contents:
- The First VCT Season and Immediate Setback
- Risk
- Unexpected Success
- Team Heretics and Valorant Champions 2024
- Season Recap
- Impact on Other Teams
- Future Prospects
The First VCT Season and Immediate Setback
Team Heretics Valorant was one of the ten European organizations granted a franchise slot in the VCT. The management took this seriously, revamping the roster before the season by signing star players like Óscar "mixwell" Cañellas and world champion Aleksander "zeek" Zygmunt. The full roster included:
However, despite these big names, the team made last-minute changes, replacing zeek with Benjy "benjyfishy" Fish. Unfortunately, these changes didn’t produce the desired results. With limited time left in the season, Team Heretics failed to qualify for both the Masters and Valorant Champions tournaments in 2023.
| Place | Tournament | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 5th - 6th | VCT 2023: EMEA Last Chance Qualifier | — |
| 8th | VCT 2023: EMEA League | — |
| 17th - 32nd | VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo | $5,000 |
Following the disappointing season, management quickly initiated a roster overhaul, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Risk
After the conclusion of the VCT regular season, Valorant Team Heretics made a bold decision to rebuild their roster during the offseason. The main strategy was to build a young, promising team around Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius. This was a high-risk move, as the final roster consisted of players aged 17-19, none of whom had Tier 1 experience, which could potentially lead to significant pressure on them. However, the organization was aware of these risks and prepared for the possibility of a slow start in tournaments. The new Team Heretics Valorant roster is:
- Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius
- Mert "Wo0t" Alkan
- Enes "RieNs" Ecirli
- Dominykas "MiniBoo" Lukaševičius
- Benjy "benjyfishy" Fish
It’s worth noting that Mert "Wo0t" Alkan was not yet 18 at the start of the season, meaning the team had to compete with a substitute - Patryk "paTiTek" Fabrowski - as underage players are not allowed in the VCT.
Unexpected Success
To everyone’s surprise, the revamped roster, despite having played only two minor tournaments and a few show matches before the VCT 2024 season, started delivering results right from the first regular match. The team earned silver at the VCT 2024: EMEA Kickoff, securing a spot at VCT 2024: Masters Madrid, where they finished in 7th-8th place.
This momentum continued, as Team Heretics took another silver medal at VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 1, earning a second Masters spot. In that tournament, they reached the grand final, narrowly losing to Gen.G Esports 2-3, marking their third silver of the season. However, their biggest success was yet to come.
At VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 2, where three spots for Valorant Champions 2024 were up for grabs, Team Heretics secured third place, earning one of the coveted slots. For a young roster, this was already a huge achievement, but their journey wasn’t over.
Team Heretics and Valorant Champions 2024
Qualifying for Valorant Champions 2024 was a major milestone, but their season didn’t end there. The team started the group stage strong, defeating tournament favorites and finishing first in their group. In the playoffs, they maintained this form, and although they suffered a loss in the upper bracket, they fought their way to the grand final, eliminating several top teams along the way.
The grand final between EDward Gaming and Team Heretics was one of the most intense matches of the season, with momentum constantly shifting. Unfortunately for the European side, EDward Gaming emerged victorious, leaving Team Heretics with another silver finish.
Season Recap
The 2024 season was a massive improvement for Team Heretics compared to the previous year. A team that had been at the lower end of the European scene in 2023 suddenly became competitive with the best in the world, fighting for titles.
| Place | Tournament | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | VALORANT Champions 2024 | $400,000 |
| 3rd | VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 2 | $40,000 |
| 2nd | VCT 2024: Masters Shanghai | $200,000 |
| 2nd | VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 1 | — |
| 7th - 8th | VCT 2024: Masters Madrid | $10,000 |
| 2nd | VCT 2024: EMEA Kickoff | — |
While they didn’t win a major trophy, the team earned four silver medals and one bronze, accumulating $650,000 in prize money.
Impact on Other Teams
Team Heretics' strategy of signing young, unproven players may inspire other organizations to take similar risks. Their success could encourage teams to experiment with their rosters, moving away from veteran players who aren’t delivering results, and betting on young, hungry talent.
This approach could have a ripple effect across the professional scene. Teams that currently rely on star players with disappointing performances might begin investing in emerging talents, eager to prove themselves, as current Team Heretics roster Valorant has shown.
Future Prospects
Team Heretics has already confirmed they have extended Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius' contract until 2026 and he is a main person, because he is Team Heretics Valorant IGL, and the management has no plans to change the roster ahead of the next season. This stability could help the team further improve and move closer to their ultimate goal: winning Valorant Champions.
Conclusion
The gamble Team Heretics took by building around young, inexperienced players has paid off tremendously. Despite early challenges, the organization has made significant strides, proving that young talent can deliver impressive results. This season has been a major leap forward, and greater achievements are surely on the horizon.
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