How to Find a New Valorant Team to Follow
This guide helps you pick a new Valorant team to support after your favorite gets eliminated from a tournament. You’ll learn a simple process to find a team that fits your playstyle, personality, and time zone, so you can stay invested in the competitive scene. No prior knowledge is needed—just a willingness to watch some matches and explore.
What You’ll Need
- Access to a streaming platform (Twitch, YouTube) or VOD sites for Valorant matches
- A list of current tournament participants (e.g., from VCT, Challengers, or regional leagues)
- Optional: social media accounts (Twitter/X, Discord) to follow team updates
- A few hours to watch matches or highlights
Step-by-Step
- Check the tournament bracket – After your team is out, look at the official bracket for the event. Note which teams are still alive and their next match times. This gives you a shortlist of candidates.
- Identify your preferred playstyle – Think about what you liked in your previous team. Did you enjoy aggressive fragging, tactical setups, or clutch comebacks? Teams have distinct identities: some rely on star duelists, others on coordinated executes. Knowing this narrows your options.
- Watch a full match of each candidate – Don’t just watch highlights. Pick one match from each team on your shortlist. Pay attention to how they communicate (if comms are shown), their pace, and their energy. You’ll naturally gravitate to one.
- Check player personalities – Follow a few players on social media or watch post-game interviews. If you enjoy their humor, work ethic, or attitude, you’re more likely to stay engaged. Teams with likable players are easier to support through losses.
- Consider time zone and schedule – If you live in North America, following a Korean team means matches at 6 AM. That’s fine for VODs, but if you want to watch live, pick a team in your region or with convenient times.
- Look at the team’s story – Underdog narratives, long-standing rivalries, or a team that just promoted from Challengers can add emotional investment. Read a couple of articles or watch a documentary-style video about the org.
- Commit for a tournament, not forever – Choose a team to follow for the rest of the current event. This removes pressure. You can switch later if they don’t click with you.
- Join the community – Follow the team’s official social channels and join their Discord or subreddit. Engaging with other fans makes the experience richer and helps you learn the team’s history.
Common Mistakes
- Picking a team just because they’re winning – Bandwagoning feels hollow when they lose. Choose based on playstyle or personality, not just results.
- Ignoring the schedule – If you can’t watch any live matches, you’ll lose interest quickly. Check time zones before committing.
- Only watching highlights – Highlights show the best moments, not the team’s typical performance. Watch a full map to see how they handle adversity.
- Overlooking the org’s stability – Some organizations have frequent roster changes or financial issues. A team that might disband next split isn’t a good long-term pick.
- Forcing a team that doesn’t feel right – If you don’t feel a connection after a few matches, it’s okay to move on. Don’t stick with a team out of obligation.
Tips
- Watch the lower bracket – Teams fighting from the lower bracket often have compelling redemption arcs and play with more desperation, making for exciting matches.
- Use VOD channels – Sites like YouTube have full match VODs. You can speed up the boring parts or skip to important rounds.
- Follow casters’ predictions – Casters often highlight underrated teams. Their insights can point you to a hidden gem.
- Check player streams – Many pros stream their ranked games. Watching a player’s stream is a great way to get to know their personality.
- Don’t be afraid to pick a team from a different region – International play is a great way to learn new metas and styles. Just be prepared for early mornings.
Troubleshooting
- You can’t find full match VODs – Check the official Valorant esports website or the tournament organizer’s YouTube channel. If they’re not there, try the team’s own channel—they often upload their matches.
- All the teams you watch feel boring – Try a team with a more chaotic or aggressive style. Look for teams with high first-blood rates or those that often force buy. Also, consider watching a lower-tier league where players are more reckless.
- You keep comparing the new team to your old favorite – That’s natural. Give yourself a few days to mourn your old team, then focus on the new team’s unique strengths. Write down three things you like about them that are different from your old team.
- The team you picked gets eliminated immediately – That’s part of esports. If they’re out, go back to step 1 and pick another. You can also support a player from that team who might join another roster later.
- You live in a different time zone and can’t watch live – Embrace VODs. Avoid spoilers by using a spoiler-free VOD site or browser extension. You can still participate in live discussions after you’ve caught up.
- You feel disloyal for switching teams – It’s normal to have a primary team and a secondary one. You can support multiple teams at once, especially if they’re in different regions or leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to switch teams mid-tournament?
Yes, absolutely. Fans switch teams all the time, especially after their favorite is eliminated. There’s no loyalty rule. Just pick a team that excites you and enjoy the rest of the event.
Should I pick a team from my own country or region?
Not necessarily. Regional teams are easier to watch live and may have more local community events, but international teams offer different playstyles and storylines. Choose based on what you value more: convenience or variety.
What if I don’t like any of the remaining teams?
Then watch for individual players. Follow a star player who moved to a new team, or support a team based on a single player you admire. You can also watch the tournament as a neutral and enjoy the gameplay without a favorite.
How do I know if a team is stable enough to follow long-term?
Check the organization’s history. Have they been in esports for years? Do they have multiple teams in different games? Look for recent roster changes—if they just replaced half the team, they might be rebuilding. Also, follow esports news sites for rumors about org financial issues.
Can I follow a team that’s not in the current tournament?
Of course. Many teams compete in regional leagues or are between tournaments. You can follow them on social media and watch their streams. Just know that they might not be in the current event you’re watching.
What if my new team also gets eliminated quickly?
That’s the nature of competition. If it happens, you can either pick another team or just enjoy the remaining matches as a neutral. You can also look ahead to the next tournament and start fresh.
Related
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