The Ludwig x Tarik Invitational was the primary offline match held within the VCT 2023 calendar. Though it was a B-tier occasion with solely 4 groups, many VALORANT followers tuned in to look at the two-day match over the weekend. Whereas Sentinels had been thought of favorites going into the Invitational, The Guard stunned everybody with their efficiency. They conquered each workforce, successful the match and taking dwelling $30,000 in prize cash.
Other than co-hosts Ludwig Ahgren and Tarik Celik, many notable personalities from the VALORANT scene like Sideshow, Balla, AEvilcat, Bren, and sgares additionally got here collectively to commentate on the matches and proceedings.
On the primary day, The Guard beat T1 and the Sentinels decimated TSM, permitting each successful groups to advance to the upper-bracket finals. Sadly, Sentinels misplaced right here and dropped to the decrease bracket, whereas The Guard certified for the grand finals. In the meantime, TSM triumphed over T1 and was set to face Sentinels the following day.
Occasion was wonderful. Congratulations to The Guard boys on taking dwelling the win
Thanks @LudwigAhgren and everybody who made this attainable ❤️
— tarik (@tarik) January 16, 2023
On the second day, TSM performed in opposition to Sentinels within the decrease bracket. They had been capable of win back-to-back maps to kick Sentinels out of the competitors and transfer to the grand finals. Subsequent was a present match between Offline TV (Tarik, Masayoshi, Brodin, yvonnie, and QuarterJade) and Mogul Strikes (Ludwig, shroud, Aiden, envy, and Yingling). It was a back-and-forth sequence with the Offline TV workforce securing a 2-1 win over Mogul Strikes.
The Guard seemed extra ready than TSM within the grand finals. Regardless that TSM gained on Pearl and took the lead, it was a detailed name. The Guard bounced again by successful on Ascent to equalize the sequence. Within the decider sport on Haven, TSM acquired wholly crushed. The Guard dominated and had dropped just one spherical earlier than successful the map and the sequence.
With Guard successful the Ludwig x Tarik Invitational, the VALORANT offseason attracts to a detailed. Though the non-franchised VCT groups like TSM and The Guard carried out significantly better than T1 and Sentinels, the latter groups can’t be written off. Many groups are nonetheless in midst of adapting after the roster shuffle within the offseason. As they quiet down, these large abilities are sure to pop off at VCT occasions.