Back on Top Once Again

Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) has done it again. The Chinese side swept Rare Atom 3-0 in the grand final of VCT Ascension China 2025, earning their place in the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) for another season. It’s a triumphant return for the team, who now hold two Ascension trophies in just three years.

We are back！ pic.twitter.com/sx1kfNpc7E

— Dragon Ranger Gaming (@DRG_off) October 19, 2025

The victory not only reaffirms DRG’s dominance in China’s tier-two VALORANT scene but also ends an eventful nine-day tournament featuring eight of the country’s strongest challengers.

From Champions to Defenders

DRG’s journey to this year’s Ascension wasn’t straightforward. Despite qualifying for VALORANT Champions 2025, the team was forced to defend their VCT slot due to a new rule implemented by Riot Games. Both DRG and the 2024 Ascension team, Xi Lai Gaming (XLG), had reached Champions, meaning only the better-performing squad at that event could automatically retain its VCT spot.

Since DRG exited the tournament slightly earlier than XLG, they had to fight their way back through Ascension. And fight they did.

A Flawless Group Stage

DRG entered the competition as heavy favourites, and they made it known early. The team dominated Thunder Gaming and Zhu Chao Gaming in back-to-back 2-0 victories to top Group A without dropping a single map.

Over in Group B, Rare Atom led the charge, sweeping through opponents with equal confidence to set up what many fans hoped would be a long-awaited rematch between the two giants.

Meanwhile, Any Questions Gaming (AQG) and Octagonal Disposition Gaming (ODG) claimed the final two playoff spots after surviving the double-elimination group stage.

A Rocky Start, Then a Ruthless Comeback

The playoffs began with Rare Atom crushing ODG to continue their unbeaten streak, while DRG faced a shocking upset. Any Questions Gaming, led by standout players iamgrq and Dannyy, edged out DRG 13-11 and 14-12 to send them tumbling into the lower bracket.

But if there’s one thing DRG has proven over the years, it’s their resilience. They bounced back with a 13-3, 13-7 sweep over ODG, then met AQG again in the lower final.

This time, DRG wasn’t leaving anything to chance. They stormed to a 2-0 lead with dominant 13-6 and 13-5 victories before AQG clawed back to force a fifth map. On Lotus, DRG shut the door with a convincing 13-7, booking their ticket to a grudge match against Rare Atom in the grand final.

Grand Final: Total Domination

The grand final was a statement. Facing off against the same team they had beaten two years earlier in the China Ascension 2023 final, DRG proved why they belong in tier one.

They crushed Rare Atom 3-0 in style, opening with a 13-4 win on Corrode and following up with 13-10 on Sunset. Then came Bind, their so-called permaban map, where DRG humiliated their opponents with a 13-1 finish.

SpiritZ1, the team’s Duelist ace, was unstoppable. His Reyna performance against Rare Atom lit up the scoreboard with a smooth 4K, while teammate Akeman impressed on Jett. SpiritZ1 closed out the event with 261 ACS, 0.94 KPR, and a 1.29 K/D, earning the MVP title.

Rare Atom’s Third Heartbreak

For Rare Atom, this marks their third consecutive second-place finish at Ascension, a brutal streak that’s earned them comparisons to football’s “nearly men”. One fan on X summed it up perfectly: “Rare Atom is the Arsenal of China, bro.”

Despite their consistency, the team once again fell short of the top spot. Star Duelist zhe had been one of the standout players of the tournament, finishing with an incredible 43/20/5 KDA and 306 ACS in the upper final. But in the grand final, DRG simply had their number.

The Kings Return to VCT

With this win, Dragon Ranger Gaming reclaims their spot in VCT China for the 2026 season, cementing themselves as one of the region’s most successful Ascension teams.

From being forced to defend their place to lifting the trophy once again, DRG’s redemption arc is one for the books, and one that ensures fans will be seeing a lot more of them on the VCT stage next year.

The post Dragon Ranger Gaming Dominates China Ascension 2025 to Reclaim VCT China Spot appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Bilibili Gaming (BLG) have finally done it. After months of hard-fought battles and falling just short in Stage 1, the Chinese powerhouse lifted their first-ever regional trophy at the VCT China 2025 Stage 2 Grand Final, beating Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) 3-1 in Chongqing. The win not only earns BLG bragging rights at home, but also secures them the #1 seed for VALORANT Champions Paris 2025.

CHEER FOR FAITH!

Congratulations to @BilibiliGaming for winning the #VCTCN 2025 Champions! The long journey has finally paid off! pic.twitter.com/ImDd6vGlQb

— VALORANT Champions Tour CN (@valesports_cn) August 24, 2025

A Rough Start Turned Into Redemption

The best-of-five showdown began with DRG looking unstoppable. Picking Sunset and running their now trademark double-Duelist comp, Akeman on Neon and SpiritZ1 on Yoru tore through BLG’s defence. Akeman dropped a 17/6/2 half, and DRG closed map one 13-2 in brutal fashion.

But if anyone thought this series would be one-sided, BLG had other plans. On their map pick Haven, whzy came alive on Neon while Knight and rushia provided consistent support. BLG built a 9-3 half before closing it out 13-8, levelling the series.

Moving into Corrode, the map was much tighter. Smart plays from both sides saw a 6-6 half, but BLG’s second pistol round win swung momentum. They closed out Corrode 13-10, putting themselves one map away from the title.

Finally on Lotus, BLG’s double Controller comp paid off. Rushia shone on Viper with a dominant first-half performance, while BLG’s retakes looked clean. Despite DRG fighting back after halftime, BLG stayed composed and sealed the deal 13-9 – locking in the series 3-1 and the championship.

The Stars of the Show

While whzy dazzled fans with his Neon plays, the standout of the Grand Final was rushia. He topped the server with a 1.13 rating, 80% KAST, 205 ACS and clutch moments when BLG needed him most. Alongside Knight’s consistency, the trio of whzy, rushia, and Knight proved too strong for DRG to handle.

Road to the Championship

BLG’s rise has been one of perseverance. They started the 2025 season with a third-place finish at Kickoff, followed by a heartbreaking Stage 1 Grand Final loss to XLG Esports. They qualified for Masters Toronto but were knocked out early.

Stage 2 was their moment. Despite an early playoff loss to DRG, BLG fought through the lower bracket, defeating EDward Gaming 3-1 to book their rematch. This time, they weren’t going to let the opportunity slip.

Final Seeding for Champions Paris

With VCT China wrapped up, the region’s four representatives for VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 are locked:

• #1 Seed – Bilibili Gaming (Stage 2 Champions)
• #2 Seed – Dragon Ranger Gaming (Stage 2 Finalists)
• #3 Seed – EDward Gaming (17 VCT Points)
• #4 Seed – XLG Esports (16 VCT Points)

It means China will be sending both of its Ascension squads (DRG and XLG) to Paris, alongside BLG and reigning world champions EDward Gaming.

VCT CN | Participating Teams

First seed: @BilibiliGaming

Second seed: @DRG_off

Third seed: @EDG_Edward

Forth seed: @XLG_Valorant

The four #VCTCN teams are set to compete in #VALORANTChampions Paris!

For the glory of the Champions, we will go all out! pic.twitter.com/dFup5ROzpC

— VALORANT Champions Tour CN (@valesports_cn) August 24, 2025

A Grand Final To Remember

The Stage 2 Grand Final at Chongqing Science Hall wasn’t just about the match. The event featured a VALORANT Mobile showmatch, a concert, and a massive drone show with 5,000 drones to celebrate VALORANT’s second anniversary in China and the mobile launch. Even Riot’s Global Head of VALORANT Esports, Leo Faria, and VALORANT Studios Head, Anna Donlon, were in attendance.

For BLG, though, the biggest celebration was lifting the trophy at last. From Stage 1 heartbreak to Stage 2 glory, the team now heads to Paris as China’s top seed, ready to test themselves against the world’s best.

The post Bilibili Gaming Crowned VCT China Stage 2 Champions After 3-1 Win Over DRG appeared first on Shane the Gamer.