TL;DR
- Cloud9’s rebuilt roster secured first victory at Red Bull Double Agent tournament
- New lineup features former G2 Esports core with strategic role distribution
- MxS combines Moist Moguls and Shopify Rebellion for Challengers run
- Both teams follow different competitive paths to VCT Americas league
- Tournament featured streamer oversight and technical disruptions during matches

Cloud9’s significantly restructured Valorant lineup achieved their inaugural competitive success during the Red Bull Double Agent exhibition event, marking a promising start to their roster transformation journey. While this tournament didn’t carry the same competitive weight as official VCT competitions, the victory provided crucial early validation of Cloud9’s strategic overhaul decisions.
The North American organization demonstrated their revamped capabilities by overcoming Moist x Shopify Rebellion, a collaborative venture between two prominent esports brands forming a dedicated Challengers division contender. This matchup offered valuable insights into how newly formed rosters adapt to competitive pressure and team coordination challenges.
Cloud9 managed to secure the win against the MxS squad despite multiple technical interruptions that created significant pauses throughout the match duration, much to the appreciation of spectators watching the action unfold.
ain't no way he got captcha'd in VALORANT 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/MUQDZcTGx8
— Cloud9 VALORANT (@C9VAL) October 3, 2023
The competition was supervised by prominent streaming personality Ludwig Ahgren alongside fellow content creator Joseph “Mang0” Manuel Marquez, adding entertainment value to the competitive showcase. Their involvement helped bridge the gap between competitive and entertainment aspects of Valorant esports.
Cloud9 and MxS Show Off New Rosters
Cloud9’s completely reimagined team composition was thoroughly tested during the event, with nearly every player assuming duelist responsibilities except for strategic leader Anthony “Vanity” Malaspina. This role distribution strategy suggests Cloud9 is prioritizing aggressive playmaking while maintaining tactical oversight through their experienced in-game leader.
The organization continued its comprehensive reconstruction during the offseason by securing the former G2 Esports foundation, which included key players Maxim “wippie” Shepelev, Francis “OXY” Hoang, and head coach Ian “Immi” Harding. This acquisition represents one of the most significant roster moves in the current Valorant transfer period.

This core trio was supplemented by Vanity’s contract renewal as primary shot-caller, while two members from the previous roster iteration were retained: Jake Anderson and Erick “Xeppaa” Bach. Maintaining these established players provides crucial continuity while integrating new talent.
MxS implemented several roster adjustments given their hybrid composition from two separate organizations. The team foundation consists primarily of the Moist Moguls core: Xavier “flyuh” Carlson, Brady “thief” Dever, and Brock “brawk” Somerhalder, complemented by two representatives from Shopify Rebellion: Adam “mada” Pampuch and Victor “v1c” Truong. This merger strategy allows both brands to pool competitive resources while maintaining individual identity.
MxS is scheduled to participate in Challengers competitions next season with ambitions to qualify for the prestigious Americas partnered league through the Ascension tournament pathway. Understanding team composition strategies becomes crucial when evaluating such collaborative ventures.
Cloud9, in contrast, will compete directly in the Americas league as one of the select organizations chosen by Riot Games for partnership status. This direct entry provides stability but comes with heightened expectations for consistent competitive performance at the highest level.
Both the Challengers circuit and partnered league system are scheduled to resume competitive operations next calendar year, creating multiple pathways for professional Valorant competition. Teams must carefully consider their competitive strategies when navigating these different tiers of professional play.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team role distributions and identify potential strategic weaknesses
- Monitor early tournament performances for new roster synergies
- Research player backgrounds and previous team performances for context
- Compare different competitive pathways (partnership vs qualification)
- Track technical issues and their impact on team performance
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Cloud9 Valorant secures victory with new roster at Red Bull Double Agent Tournament Cloud9's revamped roster debuts with victory while MxS prepares for Challengers qualification
