With 2024 approaching, Valorant fans are itching to witness some Valorant action. With the end of the 2023 OFF//Season, it was time for China to host their first-ever Ascension tournament after Valorant's official launch. Out of the eight participating teams, Dragon Ranger Gaming came out on top to defeat Rare Atom in the grand finals and crown itself as the VCT 2023 China: Ascension champions.
With a 3-1 victory, Dragon Ranger Gaming won the VCT 2023 China: Ascension and booked themselves a VCT China League slot for the next two years. Dragon Ranger Gaming will compete in the upcoming season starting with the kickoff tournament on 22 February 2024, where the Chinese partnered teams will compete for the spots at the first Masters event of 2024, VCT Masters Madrid.
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Dragon Ranger Gaming Defeats Rare Atom In The VCT 2023 China: Ascension Grand Finals
VCT 2023 China: Ascension began on 23 December 2023, with the group stage where eight teams competed for the final slot of the VCT China League. In the group stage, teams were divided into two groups and each group played in a double-elimination format to decide the top four. Two teams from each group qualified for the tournament's playoffs.
Rare Atom and Ninjas In Pyjamas qualified from Group A whereas Attacking Soul Esports and Dragon Ranger Gaming arose from Group B. Rare Atom defeated Dragon Ranger Gaming with a 2-0 scoreline in their first playoffs game to advance into the upper finals. While Rare Atom continued their domination in the upper bracket, Dragon Ranger Gaming entered the grand finals by defeating Ninjas In Pyjamas and Attacking Soul Esports in the lower bracket.
After winning consecutive games, both teams looked strong but Dragon Ranger Gaming looked to avenge their previous defeat against Rare Atom in the high-stakes grand finals. Dragon Ranger Gaming started strong as they won the first map of Split with a 13-7 scoreline to secure the initial lead. While Rare Atom tried hard to win the next map, DRG pushed the map into overtime and beat their opponents with a 14-12 scoreline on Ascent.
With DRG in the lead, Rare Atom had to do something extraordinary to win the grand finals. Rare Atom pulled off a miraculous victory as they won the third game with a clean 13-0 scoreline, securing their first series win. DRG didn't let their previous defeat get the better of them and the team continued to showcase top-tier Valorant gameplay to win the map of Bind with a 13-11 scoreline. With that victory, Dragon Ranger Gaming won the grand finals to clinch the 11th spot at the VCT China League.