The competitive world of Valorant is always changing, and a team’s success often depends on how quickly it can adapt to meta changes and take advantage of statistical advantages. As the scene speeds up for the next international major, a few teams have started to stand out, not just by their raw power but also by their planning skill, the number of agents they have, and their ability to work together on a large scale. This study focuses on the main contenders, breaking down their current form and predicting how they’ll do in future games.
Fnatic – The Decline of a Titan?
There are signs that Fnatic’s time at the top of the Valorant food chain is coming to an end. After a great year in 2023 in which they won a lot of awards, the team now seems to be struggling with being too predictable. They used to be able to rely on core strategies without any problems, but now it’s starting to fail against teams that use high-tempo defaults and lurk-heavy plays.
Fnatic used to dominate Haven and Split, but their win rate has dropped by 18% and 14% on those maps in recent matches. Boaster’s IGL calls are still good, but the team doesn’t have much variety in their tactics, which makes them open to mid-round changes. If Fnatic doesn’t change their map choices and bring in more agents, they might only make it to the quarterfinals instead of the grand finals again.
Paper Rex – Controlled Chaos With Results
Everyone still fears Paper Rex as the wild card. Rapid site hits and double-duelist sets make up their unusual style of play. It may look like chaos, but it’s actually well-planned chaos that they’ve honed over a lot of reps. Their opening duel success rate is 62%, which is the best of all Tier 1 teams.
Forsaken and Jinggg continue to mess up set defenses, and d4v41’s hiding makes their mid-round changes less predictable. Even though PRX is bold, they have a good post-plant win rate of 64%, which shows they can slow things down when they need to. They could be a dark horse for the title going into the major because of their momentum and desire to question meta-norms.
Team Liquid – Riding the Momentum Wave
One of the biggest stories of the year has been Team Liquid’s comeback in the last three months. The European team used to be very inconsistent, but now they’ve found their groove thanks to Jamppi’s improved form and Redgar’s steady leadership.
Their utility use per round has gone up by 22%, which shows that they are controlling the map in a more organized way. They are now more sneaky with when they attack on maps like Lotus and Bind, often waiting for an enemy to use a useful ability before committing. They’ve jumped to the top of the Valorant team rankings with a 6-1 record in their last seven games.
Now the hard part is keeping up this form on LAN, where crowds and pressure can change how you think. The rising stars of Liquid are ready for a long run if they can stay calm in public.
100 Thieves – Tactical Reboot in Progress
Fans’ best game in North America, 100 Thieves, is getting a much-needed tactical makeover. Their 2024 season got off to a rough start with inconsistent entry success and bad sets for retakes. As of late, though, their move toward a more default-heavy strategy has started to pay off.
Over their last five matches, 100T has now achieved a 75% success rate in pistol rounds, which is a huge improvement that can be attributed to better planning and early-round protocols. As the main operator, Cryocells is getting back into a rhythm, and Asuna’s ability to switch between maps gives them the flexibility they need in tight games.
The basics are getting better, but they’re still working out problems in the middle of the round. You can expect 100 Thieves to make a splash in the group rounds and maybe even beat a top seed.
Dark Horses and Stat-Based Surprises
Beyond the big names, teams like Karmine Corp and Gen.G are crafting their own narratives. Karmine Corp has posted a staggering 80% win rate on Sunset, exploiting teams unfamiliar with newer map dynamics. Gen.G, on the other hand, relies heavily on precise utility combos and has the best clutch percentage (1vX scenarios) at 24%—a stat that signals strong in-game discipline.
In the chaotic ecosystem of Valorant, where one patch can shift power balances overnight, these underdog teams could punch above their weight.
Prediction and Outlook
With meta trends favoring flexible agents and dynamic defensive setups, teams that adapt quickly will thrive. Based on recent performances, Paper Rex and Team Liquid appear best equipped to handle both the strategic and mechanical demands of the upcoming major. Fnatic, while still dangerous, must innovate or risk stagnation.
In a scene as volatile as Valorant, betting on favorites isn’t always the smartest play. Instead, tracking form trajectories, map-specific efficiencies, and agent compositions provides sharper predictive insight. Whether you’re a fan or a punter, understanding the statistical undercurrents gives you a decisive edge.
And as always, keep an eye on the evolving Valorant team rankings – they’re more than just numbers; they’re signals of momentum, synergy, and potential profit.
