THESPIKE.GG Rankings Update: December 9th, 2020

First Strike is in the books, and that means it's time to look over the regional rankings in the world of VALORANT. With a plethora of titles confirmed all over the world here are THESPIKE.GG Regional Rankings for December 9th, 2020.

##North America

We’ll open the rankings in North America where 100 Thieves took the top prize in First Strike North America Regional Final and move up to second in the rankings, right on the heels of TSM who take the top spot on their impressive resume heading into First Strike. Sentinels are off the top spot after finishing third-fourth, alongside Envy who are similarly dethroned due to finishing outside of the top two in First Strike. Cloud9 just barely stay in the top five after not qualifying for first strike, marginally ahead of Renegades and Immortals, though Cloud9 Blue will need to return to form if they want to stay at the top of North America. T1 sit in eighth with a first round exit in First Strike, though losing to the eventual champions leaves the veteran roster with numerous what-if’s to answer heading into 2021. FaZe Clan and Gen.G Esports close out a very competitive North American top 10.

##Europe

Europe is up next and all that can be said is: the king is dead, long live the king. After months of rule under the iron fist of the dominant G2 Esports, it is time for a new king, and that king is Team Heretics who took home the top prize in First Strike Europe Regional Final. G2 didn’t fall far, ending on the second spot in our rankings, followed closely by Fnatic. SUMN FC moved to third, though their excellent showing in First Strike has them reeling in G2 more and more by the week. FunPlus Phoenix are right on the heels of SUMN FC, and could catch them with one or two good results. Team Liquid, nolpenki and Orgless are all close in the rankings filling out the meat of the European rankings due to their 5th-8th finishes in First Strike. GIANTX end up eighth in the rankings while BBL Esports bring up the 9th spot in the rankings after taking the win in First Strike Turkey Regional Final, BBL have shown excellent form of late, and as Europe comes back together for non-First Strike events, could be a dark horse heading into 2021. M3 Champions round out the top 10, though that spot is tenuous at best, with others looking to challenge them for the crown of the CIS region.

##Asia

Last but not least is Asia, with some substantial changes outside of the top 3. DRX hold on to the top spot, followed by ZETA DIVISION, both sides won their regional championships, and look nearly untouchable. REJECT stay in third place, with BlackBird Ignis and Cloud9 Korea close behind, BlackBird Ignis especially as one of the biggest movers from First Strike in Asia. DetonatioN FocusMe and Sengoku Gaming are nearly impossible to split in 6th and 7th, and both had good showings in First Strike, though TNL Esports are in line to move up the rankings after rising four spots, passing SCARZ. Closing out the top 10 are aNg DarkHorse who shot up the rankings eight places with an impressive 3rd-4th in First Strike Korea Regional Final.