Recently, the VCS Organizing Committee announced the lineup of commentators and hosts who will be preparing to cover the VCS Spring 2024. Prior to this, all teams had also gradually revealed their rosters for the upcoming matches. VCS Spring 2024 promises many new elements, as teams have undergone significant roster changes compared to 2023. However, the names that are likely to compete for the championship still draw the most attention. In fact, GAM Esports will find it very challenging to defend their crown in the upcoming VCS Spring.
Many new names are emerging
Vikings Esports will be a team to watch closely in the new season as they feature some “familiar yet unfamiliar” faces. For instance, players like SofM, Kati, and Shogun have established their names and reputations in the Vietnamese LoL scene. SofM, although the owner, can still provide valuable insights on gameplay, as he did when advising Team Whales at the 2023 World Championship. Kati is currently the most accomplished mid-laner in VCS.
Besides VKE, teams like CERBERUS Esports and MGN Box Esports also boast quality players. These names could surprise many in the new season, featuring a mix of youthful talent and experienced players like Froggy, Sty1e, Nugu (MBE), and Pun, Hieu3, Ikkigai (CES)… While their rosters may include several unfamiliar names, this unpredictability could play a significant role in VCS this season.
Old teams remain a formidable challenge
Team Secret, Team Flash, and especially Team Whales had a relatively quiet end-of-season transfer period, witnessing few changes internally. For these teams, the opportunity to “overthrow” GAM and compete for the title has perhaps arrived. Notably, after a satisfactory VCS Twilight 2023 and World Championship, their players have gained more experience and resilience.
TW’s players have suffered two consecutive defeats to GAM in their most crucial matches of 2023. The “Whales” are undoubtedly eager for revenge, and the upcoming VCS Spring presents their best opportunity to fulfill their ambition of dethroning GAM in the Vietnamese LoL scene.
GAM itself is also weakened
GAM has changed 3 out of 5 main positions, and all three players who left were top VCS superstars in their roles. Except for Slayder, who hasn’t exactly performed at his peak, and Palette, who has his own plans, Kati is gradually becoming an irreplaceable mid-laner. The experience and composure of Kati is something that Blazes currently finds hard to match.
GAM has also made some replacements, investing in the future with Pyshiro, who is still very young and has shown promise while playing for CES. However, in a harsh environment like VCS, or even further in MSI or Worlds, GAM will still have to rely on Kiaya and Levi. And this duo doesn’t always perform at 100% capacity. In such cases, GAM may find themselves in real danger. However, they may have already mentally prepared for a difficult journey ahead, especially after deciding to part ways with their star players.
It’s hard to predict anything before the matches commence. But it seems plausible that VCS will welcome a new champion this season, especially if teams perform at their peak and give their all in their matches, particularly against the reigning champions GAM.