Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) has achieved victory at VCT Ascension China 2025, triumphing over Rare Atom with a 3-0 sweep in the ultimate showdown.
Securing their second Ascension title, the Chinese contingent reclaims their position in Riot Games’ esteemed VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) for an additional year.
DRG initially secured their spot in China’s VCT circuit by claiming the VCT Ascension title in 2023. It was not until the 2024 season that the team truly made its mark in tier-one, earning qualification for their inaugural global VCT tournament, Masters Shanghai.
In a similar vein, DRG experienced a subdued commencement to this year’s season, missing out on both Masters events prior to their remarkable performance in Stage 2. Their second-place finish in the concluding regional VCT competition of the year paved the way for DRG to become one of the four Chinese teams representing the region at VALORANT Champions 2025.
As per Riot’s revised regulations for Ascension teams, a Champions qualification typically secures a roster’s VCT slot for the subsequent season. However, given that both DRG and the 2024 Ascension team, XLG Esports, qualified for Champions 2025, their respective Champions results determined which squad would avoid relegation to tier-two.
Having been eliminated from the tournament marginally ahead of XLG, DRG was compelled to defend its VCT rights in this year’s Ascension event.
DRG’s Second VCT Ascension Trophy
On October 11th, DRG joined forces with seven teams from China’s Challengers circuit for the region’s premier tier-two VALORANT tournament of the year.
While the 2023 Ascension victor showcased an unblemished Group Stage, overcoming both Group A adversaries Thunder Gaming (2-0) and Zhu Chao Gaming (2-0), the Playoffs presented a different challenge. In their inaugural playoffs match, DRG was relegated to the lower bracket by Any Questions Gaming (2-0).
Subsequently, the team was required to emerge victorious in the Lower Bracket Final rematch against Any Questions (3-2) in order to confront Rare Atom in the Grand Final.
Despite facing a disadvantage in the map veto process, DRG maintained an undefeated record against Rare Atom. The team initiated the series with a victory on Corrode (13-4) and Sunset (13-10), culminating in a dominant performance on their perma-ban Bind (13-1).
Regrettably for their rival, Rare Atom, this marked their third consecutive second-place finish at VCT Ascension China. Conversely, DRG is set to make a return to VCT China for the 2026 season.
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