First Strike is RIOT’s initiatory tournament for their latest FPS title, VALORANT. This global event will crown regional champions and determine the future of VALORANT’s eSports scene.
Read More: VALORANT North American First Strike Finals: A brief overview and best picks
Earlier, RIOT released a trailer that highlighted some participating regions of the tournament. Prior to the trailer, RIOT also published their entire blueprint for the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour. However, the First Strike tournament is set to lay the foundations for upcoming VALORANT tournaments.
First Strike NA Teams, Match Format & Maps
Except for the Grand Final, The entire event will follow a BO3 (Best of Three) format. Quarterfinals & Semifinals will feature BO3 format, and the addition of Icebox ensures a BO5 format for Grand Final.
Participating Teams & Rosters:
- TSM: Wardell, reltuC, hazed, Subroza, drone.
- Faze Clan: Marved, corey, ZachaREEE, babybay, Rawkus.
- Sentinels: ShahZaM, SicK, sinatraa, zombs, dapr.
- T1: Skadoodle, brax, AZK, DaZeD, Spyder.
- Renegades: etrQ, CP2, Winsum, randyySavage, Berghy.
- 100 Thieves: nitr0, Hiko, steel, Asuna, dicey.
- Immortals: ShoT_UP, Genghsta, jcStani, Jmoh, neptune.
- Team Envy: food, crashies, FNS, mummAy, kaboose.
Format:
- Quarter-Finals: Best of Three
- Semi-Finals: Best of Three
- Grand-Final: Best of Five
Map pool:
- Ascent
- Bind
- Split
- Haven
- Icebox
First Strike Stream Schedule for NA
RIOT will premiere the event on VALORANT’s Official Twitch Channel. In addition to that, Ninja and TSM Myth will also stream the tournament alongside the official VALORANT channel.
Match Schedule & Timings:
The three days long event will commence on 3rd December. After seven decisive matches, RIOT will crown one champion for the North American region.
- Quarter-Finals: December 3 & 4
- Semi-Finals: December 5
- Grand-Final: December 6
Quarter-Finals Match Schedule:
| Match 1 | Immortals 0 – 2 Team Envy | December 3 | GMT 8PM | EST 3PM |
| Match 2 | Renegades 0 – 2 TSM | December 3 | GMT 11PM | EST 6PM |
| Match 3 | T1 0 – 2 100 Thieves | December 4 | GMT 8PM | EST 3PM |
| Match 4 | Sentinels 2 – 0 Faze Clan | December 4 | GMT 11PM | EST 6PM |
Semi-Finals Match Schedule:
| Match 5 | TSM 2 – 0 Team Envy | December 5 | GMT 8PM | EST 3PM |
| Match 6 | Sentinels 1 – 2 100 Thieves | December 5 | GMT 11PM | EST 6PM |
Grand-Final Match Schedule:
| TSM Vs. 100 Thieves | December 6 | GMT 8PM | EST 3PM |
In the early days of the North American VALORANT scene, it was all about T1 vs. TSM or Sentinels. However, Team Envy, 100 Thieves & Immortals proved the concept wrong. Even though TSM had a good start, Sentinels was quick to grab the throne from TSM. Meanwhile, 100 Thieves managed to win against Sentinels, TSM, and LG in NSG Closed Qualifiers with a pretty inexperienced roster.
Read More: Cloud9 Relyks believes Team Envy to be the dark horse at First Strike NA
After First Strike, RIOT will proceed to organize the VALORANT Champions Tour of 2021. RIOT’s desire to dominate the FPS eSports scene is quite visible. The North American First Strike event will settle many debates. Among these eight teams, one winner will be hailed as North America’s best.
