Advertise on podcast: Showstopper Podcast

The Guard have taken the North American Valorant scene by storm after starting their Stage 1 Challengers campaign off with an impressive 3-0 record. Most notably, they handed at 13-0 map loss to 100 Thieves and eventually won the series in a shocking upset. Yinsu and Tyler spoke to valyn and mCe about The Guard's recent success and how they plan to continue improving despite their current perfect record in the Valorant Champions Tour. Both valyn and mCe attributed a lot of the team success to their youngest player Trent "trent" Cairns. MCe even compared trent and his playstyle to that of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive legend Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut. Valyn and mCe spoke about Valorant's most recent in-game update, Patch 4.04, including how it would affect The Guard and other teams in the VCT for the remainder of the tournament. Valyn stated that Astra, the most popular controller agent in Valorant, had effectively been nerfed to death and would most likely no longer see competitive play. Finally, in this week's edition of Roast My Tier List, valyn, mCe, Yinsu and Tyler ranked all of the teams competing in North America Challengers 1. Don't be surprised when some big names end up at the bottom of the list. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) and Tyler Erzberger (@FionnOnFire) Edited by: Tomás Roldán (@TomasRoldan1993) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) valyn on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/1valyn On Twitter: @valyngod mCe on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mCe__ On Twitter: @MatthewCElmore Footage Source: https://twitter.com/ElevatedSpeaks/st... This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

100 Thieves parted ways with both of their latest pickups in ec1s and Hunter "BabyJ" Schline after starting 0-2 during the group stage of Valorant Champions Tour Stage 1 Challengers. For ec1s the decision to change up the roster wasn't necessarily a complete shock. Ec1s is currently in Los Angeles, California trialing and streaming from the 100 Thieves Cash App Compound, waiting until his contract is terminated and he is forced to return to the United Kingdom. ec1s says he is open to competing in both North America and in EMEA going forward. Our hosts had plenty more questions for the young in-game leader about what the team dynamic on 100T was like and what's in store for him in the near future. Hosted by: Tyler Erzberger (@FionnOnFire) and Danny Appleford (@DannyKovu) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Colin McNeil (@McNeilColin) and Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Fit1nho has been with Giants since the summer of 2020. After repeatedly failing to qualify for an international LAN, Giants decided to drop their entire roster, with the exception of Fit1nho. On Jan. 7, 2022, the team completed their rebuild by signing Batuhan “russ” Malgac, Ondrej “MONSTEERR” Petru, Fabian “Quick” Pereira Gomez and Adam “Jesse” Ctvrtnicek. Unfortunately, a lackluster campaign led to them failing to qualify for the Valorant Champions Tour Challengers Stage 1. They would have to wait for another opportunity to participate in Europe's top Valorant competition. Giants are now participating in the ValorantRegional Leagues 2022 Spain: Rising Stage 1 alongside another major Spanish organization Team Heretics. Their goal is simple: to win it all and get another shot at joining Europe's top teams in the EMEA VCT Challengers 2. Speaking of VRL Spain, this week on Roast My Tier List, Yinsu and Fit1nho ranked all of the teams participating in the Valorant Regional Leagues 2022 Spain and compared Giants to the rest of the competition. Fit1nho on Twitter: @Fit1nho on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/fit1nho This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Both T1 and TSM failed to qualify for the VCT Stage 1 Challengers event after butting heads on Twitter over a cheating scandal connected to T1’s head coach. They are joined by Gen.G Esports and FaZe Clan on the list of major organizations that had rocky starts to 2022 Valorant. New teams are stepping up to the plate this year with The Guard, Knights and Evil Geniuses all joining a closed qualifier event for the first time. These new faces impressed during the open qualifier and are now hungry to prove themselves against top-tier teams like Team Envy, 100 Thieves and Cloud9. The Showstopper crew had some mixed feelings on which two teams would qualify for Masters 1. But they all agreed on one thing: Sentinels won't be surviving the lineup of talent that the other 11 teams have put together in the offseason and will fail to qualify for the first masters event. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) and Tyler Erzberger (@FionnOnFire) Also Hosted by: Danny Appleford (@DannyKovu) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Colin McNeil (@McNeilColin) and Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

As a 16-year-old he’s had to wait to play professionally, but now, Yiğithan “DeepMans” Kesici is unleashed and he wants to prove himself to the world. DeepMans spoke to Upcomer about the opportunity involved in becoming a professional player and the troubles he’s had due to his age. He also addressed the people who call him “the next cNed” and gave his opinions of the chances of success for the Turkish teams in EMEA Challengers Spoiler: They are low. The trio also tackled the DACH region as they tier listed the teams in VRL, with some very controversial rankings. DeepMans also revealed his passion for casually playing League of Legends and riding motorcycles, as well as his biggest fears. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) Guest Host & Translator: Aykut Sapaz (@kotsthepro) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) DeepMans on Twitter: @Deepmansvll on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/deepmans This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

BIG had a tough year throughout 2021, failing to qualify for multiple major events internationally and in EMEA. This year, under the leadership of Fatih "gob b" Dayik and with a fresh-faced roster, the German org became the second team to qualify for VCT EMEA. gob b spoke extensively about what he thinks are the secrets to becoming the best IGL in the game, as well as revealing which other IGLs he respects in Valorant. Not only that, gob b also took a deeper dive into why he thinks the current BIG roster has been able to find so much success this year and how they prepare to tackle season one of VCT starting in February. Speaking of VCT EMEA, the trio also ranked the 12 teams involved in Challengers Stage 1, and some picks might come as a surprise. gob b also shed some light on his personal interests and hobbies including what he think is the greatest anime. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) Guest Host: Danny Appleford (@DannyKovu) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) gob b on Twitter: @gobelante on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gobbtv This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Guild Esports were one of the teams that made major changes during the Valorant offseason and it didn’t take long for their investments to pay off. On Jan. 15, they became the first European team to qualify for VCT 2022, and they did it in style. Dropping just one map throughout the entire open and closed qualifiers, the various roster and role changes made the team look absolutely unstoppable. Sayf and Yinsu discussed the hardships his previous roster went through and how tough it was to say goodbye to the teammates he had played with for over a year. Sayf also shed some light on his new-found role on the team, as well as how it felt to win his first best-of-five series. Last but not least, we took a deep dive into Sayf’s life, likes and dislikes. You do not want to miss the chance to get to know one of EMEA’s best duelists. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) Sayf on Twitter: @DSajoof This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The year 2021 was a fantastic one for EMEA fans, with Gambit Esports winning Valorant Champions Tour Stage 3: Masters Berlin and Acend taking home the most important trophy at Valorant Champions. And, one of the biggest rising stars from the EMEA region is starxo, who has been widely acknowledged as one of the best flex players in the world. After taking a post-Champions Christmas break, starxo joined Yinsu and Tyler to reflect on everything that happened at the biggest Valorant tournament to date. The 20-year-old spoke candidly about what it was like to be on the receiving end of an online hate mob and how he was eventually able to move on from the entire situation. On a more light-hearted note, for this week’s Roast My Tier List, Yinsu, Tyler and starxo put the team jerseys from Champions up to the test. Last but not least, Acend are one of the invited teams for the EMEA VCT and starxo revealed what he’d like to achieve in 2022. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) and Tyler Erzberger (@FionnOnFire) Edited by: Lexi Johnson (@miinxiiee) Graphics and thumbnail by: Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) and Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) Supervising Producer: Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) starxo on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/starxo_ On Twitter: @starxo5 This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Since the inception of G2 Esports’ Valorant team, there have been a lot of different looks and variations to the roster. From the glory days of the Valorant Ignition Series to the latest iteration, Oscar "mixwell" Cañellas Colocho has been the only constant factor in the squad. Now, after failing to qualify for Valorant Champions 2021, G2 have switched things up again by bringing in former Giants Gaming players Meddo, Aaro "hoody" Peltokangas and coach Daniil "pipsoN" Meshcheryakov. Meddo joined Upcomer’s Yinsu Collins and guest host Danny Appleford this week to discuss what it was like to join G2 and why he believes this team has the potential to win every event in 2022. Despite joining one of the biggest organizations in the world, Meddo confessed that he has some regrets about leaving his former team Giants. He also revealed how the entire process of his transfer came about. The sentinel player also gave his opinion on LATAM’s KRÜ Esports and why they’re the team he’d like to face outside of EMEA. Meddo on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/meddoval On Twitter: @MeddoVAL For Video Version click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8TTC6xnF1I&ab_channel=Upcomer This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Host Tyler "Fionn" Erzberger is joined this week by two special guest hosts: Upcomer's own Danny Appleford and North American Valorant commentator and analyst Alex "Vansilli" Nguyen. Together, the three of them tackle all the important questions, like which players to look out for, which region could really use a positive result in the tournament and, of course, who is going to win it all? Hosted and produced by: Tyler Erzberger (@FionnOnFire) Guest Host: Alex "Vansilli" Nguyen (@Vansilli) and Danny Appleford (KovuDanny) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) and Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) Supervising Producer: Colin McNeil (@McNeilColin) and Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

nielzinho, Yinsu and RyanCentral go over each group and share their predictions on who's making it to the playoffs and who's heading to the airport early. Are Sentinels destined for glory? Will Vision Strikers emerge from the shadows as a triumphant dark horse? And speaking of horses, is this Team Liquid's tournament to win? nielzinho also opens up about his time spent as G2's head coach during the past year and what's next for him career-wise. He expressed interest in pursing orgs from EU and possibly North American as well. Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) Guest Host: RyanCentral (@RyanCentral_) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) and Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) Supervising Producer: Colin McNeil (@McNeilColin) and Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) neilzinho on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/neilzinhoval On Twitter: @neilzinho This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

At Valorant Champions 2021, Anthony "vanity" Malaspina is returning to an international LAN for the first time since moving from Version1 to Cloud9 Blue. The IGL joined Showstopper hosts Yinsu Collins and Tyler "Fionn" Erzberger this week to discuss his new life on Cloud9 Blue and what it was like missing out on VCT Masters 3. vanity also spoke to the Showstopper crew about the new Valorant agent and let's just say he was less than optimistic about Chamber's chances of being picked in pro play. He also lamented the lack of IGLs in the NA Valorant scene, comparing the problem to North American Counter-Strike's own leadership issues and noting how he's one of the only younger IGLs in the region. Finally on Roast My Tier List we asked vanity to rank his preferences when it came to roles, both in and out of game. Unsurprisingly, the Cloud9 IGL confirmed that he is very happy in his current role. This is an episode of Showstopper you can't afford to miss! Hosted and produced by: Yinsu Collins (@YinsuCollins) and Tyler Erzberger (@FionnOnFire) Edited by: Adrian Sandrovcan (@ASandrovcan) Graphics and thumbnail by: Adam Fitzsimmons (@AdamFitz) and Ivan Cortez (@IvanC__14) Supervising Producer: Colin McNeil (@McNeilColin) and Spencer Pascoe (@SpennyPascoe) vanity on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vanity On Twitter: @Vanityxz This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm