Nongshim RedForce are due to start their VCT Playoffs journey, but is this a win for Ascension or a continuation of the brutal promotion system?

Despite VCT EMEA Ascension teams struggling to gain any traction in the Pro League, Nongshim RedForce is bucking the trend in the Pacific region. 

Are they an example of the Ascension system working, or are they still victims of Valorant’s tough promotion system?

Nongshim RedForce clutch Group Stage success

They may not have finished at the top of their group, but third place was enough to secure them a spot in the VCT Pacific Playoffs. 

Nongshim RedForce achieved three wins against two losses in Group Alpha, winning eight maps and losing five across the four weeks. This places them at eighth or above for the overall VCT Pacific Stage 2 Leaderboard.

The teams that failed to qualify for the Pacific Playoffs are Team Secret, ZETA DIVISION, Global Esports, and BOOM Esports. 

BOOM Esports is also an Ascension team. They will be relegated and cannot compete in Ascension for the next VCT season. 

However, Team Secret, ZETA DIVISION, and Global Esports performed worse than Nongshim RedForce. Their partnered status means that they remain in the VCT Tier One scene regardless of their performance compared to newly qualified teams. 

Joining Nongshim RedForce in the Playoffs are BRX, Rex Regum Qeon, Gen.G, Paper Rex, TALON, and T1. 

Following their VCT Toronto Masters win, Paper Rex will likely be the favourites to do well in the VCT Pacific Playoffs on Valorant betting sites.

VCT Ascension – harsh expectations on consistency

The promotion system for VCT players is a brutal test of consistency. 

Once an Ascension-qualified VCT team enters the league, they must either qualify for the VCT Champions tournament or reach a VCT Regional Playoffs. If they fail to achieve one of these two options, they will not qualify for Ascension to defend their spot and will be relegated. 

Nongshim RedForce have managed to qualify for the VCT Pacific Playoffs. They will also need to successfully defend their Ascension slot to remain in the VCT system next season.  

In the EMEA region, both Gentle Mates and Apeks have been relegated.

Apeks was officially relegated after failing to win a single match in VCT 2025. After their VCT promotion, the organisation lost their star player. Kajetan ‘kaajak’ Haremski to Fnatic, and have faced an uphill battle to solidify a successful roster since. 

They are joined in relegation by Gentle Mates, who were unable to reach the VCT EMEA Playoffs during Stage 2. Gentle Mates’ relegation suggests that Tier 2 Valorant is losing hope for stability and opportunity. 

Head of Valorant at Gentle Mates, Marceau ‘Placido’ Lambert, posted online that “Beyond the uncertain future of Gentle Mates in VCT, I sincerely hope that Riot will make the right decisions to preserve Valorant esports.” 

This statement echoes the uncertainty that Ascension teams face compared to the VCT partnered teams. Partnered teams remain in the VCT, rain or shine. 

Nongshim RedForce may prove that, on occasion, the Ascension system can still function within the VCT at a base level. However, their journey in VCT Pacific does little to reassure that the competitive ecosystem is overall sound.

Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.