VCT LOCK IN Predictor: Omega bracket

The official kickoff event for the 2023 partnered VALORANT circuit has served us some delicious duels in the Alpha Bracket. LOUD and DRX have made their way to the final playoffs. However, the Omega Bracket at VCT 2023 LOCK//IN sees sixteen fresh teams battling for the two qualifying spots.

Let us look at the teams primed to qualify from the VCT LOCK//IN Omega Bracket as well as ones that can surprise the favorites.

Prediction: Expected to Qualify

Natus Vincere (NAVI)

The Alpha Bracket wasn't too kind to the EMEA region. But, the European powerhouses are all mostly part of the Omega Bracket at VCT LOCK//IN. Natus Vincere have also restructured their entire lineup before the commencement of the VALORANT International Leagues. The team now consists of the core of the fabled FPX roster that was hailed as one of the best performing VALORANT squads to date.

Struck by a bout of misfortune, the core has ended up missing LAN events despite managing to qualify. But, when they did make their much-awaited LAN appearance, they immediately became fan favorites. Their IGL Kirill "ANGE1" Karasiow is a charismatic personality, on the server and otherwise. And, the entire team mirrors his rambunctiousness successfully. Now, with the addition of Mehmet Yağız "cNed" İpek, they arrive in Sao Paulo with the same level of firepower, if not greater than before, along with the unpredictability of the Turkish superstar.

Natus Vincere start their VCT LOCK//IN campaign against KRU Esports but could find themselves facing familiar foes in the form of Team Liquid soon. Their side of the Omega Bracket does look stacked but expect Natus Vincere to be as obsessed with winning as their motto suggests.

100 Thieves

There is just something so pure about the storyline that 100 Thieves managed to put together. The entire process from fielding a completely new roster and then taking it to the heights they did under the tutelage of Sean "seangares" Gares speaks volumes of the project they believe in.

seangares may have departed. And yet, Michael "Mikes" Hockom has been entrusted to take the project forward and build upon it. The first few steps have been encouraging, with the organization bringing in some pure aggression and polished talent in the form of Matthew "Cryocells" Panganiban. But, the talent whose potential excites everyone the most is Sean "bang" Bezerra. The 18-year-old is already mechanically one of the most skilled players in the scene and his ability to step up when it matters is a rare quality in a player who is considered a raw potential by many.

Their dominant display at the VCT 2022 OFF SEASON - Red Bull Home Ground 2022 will be encouraging for the 100T fans. But, their route to qualification from the Omega Bracket will not be an easy one. They start things off against an EDward Gaming side that will largely be an unknown matchup before potentially facing the likes of Sentinels or Fnatic for the spot. Anything lower than qualification will be looked upon as unsatisfactory by the team and its fans.

Prediction: Dark Horses

Leviatan

Leviatán are your perennial underdogs and will remain a dark horse coming into the VCT LOCK//IN Omega Bracket. The team coached by the ever-so passionate Rodrigo "Onur" Dalmagro has added the former KRU Esports duo Angelo "Keznit" Mori and Roberto "Mazino" Rivas to their lineup.

Leviatan have mesmerized the fans with their trading-heavy aggressive playstyle and will once again be looking to shock people with a squad that looks even more capable of doing so. Leviatan could renew their rivalry against local adversaries KRU Esports possibly in the deciding match for the qualifying spot. The passion and love for the game reflects in how they play, with Leviatan's players taking a leaf out of their coach's book.

Labeled a fairytale story by many, it is time for people to realize that watching Leviatan is the new normal as they look to forge a dynasty of their own at VCT LOCK//IN and subsequently, the VALORANT International League.

Sentinels

Arguably the biggest name associated with the VALORANT scene since its inception, Sentinels created an aura of inevitability about them early on in the competitive scene. However, they have since fallen off the pedestal and have chosen to go for a complete revamp. Tyson "TenZ" Ngo and Hunter "SicK" Mims are the only ones to survive, with the latter unlikely to be a constant presence in the newly structured active lineup.

They have brought in three members from the XSET lineup, Zachary "zekken" Patrone, Rory "dephh" Jackson and Don "SyykoNT" Munir while also adding the former LOUD duo Bryan "pANcada" Luna and Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi. The lineup once again looks menacing on paper, with the only question mark on how TenZ manages to transition into his new role, if at all and how he adjusts to his new teammates. Their toughest opposition will be the one they face first, Fnatic. If they do manage to overcome them, it is likely to come down to a battle between them and 100 Thieves, two storied organizations from the Americas region.

Hard-hitting players, top talents, players with prodigious potential, a strong in-game leader and a supremely confident coach; Sentinels have all the ingredients necessary to serve something spicy to the VALORANT fans in 2023. But, they have to first prove that this new lineup is worthy of being called a top dog.