Stage 2 of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) has wrapped up, and Riot Games has revealed which Agents saw the most play across the four major regions. Unsurprisingly, one familiar Controller topped the charts.

Stage 2 is a wrap and here are each region’s most picked agents! pic.twitter.com/O42ZHQ6Owy

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 2, 2025

Omen was the clear favourite, becoming the most-picked Agent in every single region. He appeared in at least 74 percent of matches, with VCT China leading the way at a massive 86 percent pick rate. His utility, especially the Paranoia ability, continues to make him a must-have in pro play. Some fans are already speculating that Riot might look at balancing him ahead of the next season.

Viper and Sova rounded out the top three across all regions, though their positions shifted depending on the league. Viper was the second-most picked in the Americas and Pacific regions at 59 percent and 56 percent respectively, while China and EMEA placed her third with 50 percent and 46 percent. Her ability to cut off vision with her smokes and walls has made her invaluable in most strategies.

On the other hand, Sova found greater popularity in China and EMEA, where he was the second-most picked Agent at 52 percent and 54 percent. Despite past nerfs, his recon tools remain a staple in competitive play. In the Pacific and Americas, Sova settled into third place, with a still-solid 51 percent pick rate.

With Stage 2 behind us, all eyes now shift to the biggest event of the year: VALORANT Champions 2025. Sixteen teams from around the world will battle it out in Paris from September 12 to October 5 for a share of the $2.25 million prize pool. The winners will walk away with $1 million and the title of world champions.

Riot has also confirmed that Pick ‘Ems are making a return for Champions, letting fans predict match outcomes for exclusive rewards. With top squads like Team Liquid, Fnatic, Paper Rex, and more preparing for the showdown, the stage is set for one of the most exciting VALORANT tournaments yet.

The post Most Picked Agents in VCT Stage 2: Omen Dominates appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Fnatic have done it again, and they’ve made it look pretty effortless.

With a clean 2–0 sweep over Apeks, the British powerhouse has officially punched their ticket to VALORANT Champions Paris, becoming the first team from the VCT EMEA Stage 2 to qualify for the year’s biggest tournament.

Fnatic are officially the first #VCTEMEA team to qualify for VALORANT Champions Paris pic.twitter.com/h9J9tp1SRT

— Valorant News (@ValorINTEL) August 13, 2025

It’s been a season of highs and a few bumps for Fnatic. They started the year slow at the Kickoff event, but quickly found their rhythm. A Stage 1 trophy and a second-place finish at Masters Toronto gave them enough Championship Points to secure Champions qualification before the Stage 2 playoffs even begin.

Their match against Apeks showed exactly why they’re still one of the most feared teams in the league. Bind was all Fnatic from the get-go, and while Apeks had a few moments on Lotus, the map still ended in Fnatic’s favour. That wraps the series at 2–0 and leaves Fnatic in a prime position heading into the Stage 2 playoffs.

Fnatic vs Apeks | Image via gosugamers.net

Unfortunately for Apeks, the loss seals a rough year. After joining VCT EMEA last season through Ascension, they haven’t managed to win a single match in 2025 and will now be relegated back to Challengers.

For Fnatic’s in-game leader Jake “Boaster” Howlett, this keeps an impressive personal streak alive, he’s qualified for every single VALORANT Champions event so far. The one thing still missing from his resume? Lifting the Champions trophy itself.

With Fnatic’s spot locked, three more EMEA teams will join them in Paris, two through Stage 2’s playoff results and one via Championship Points. The battle for those remaining tickets is heating up fast, with Team Liquid and Team Heretics neck and neck on the points leaderboard.

The Stage 2 playoffs kick off soon, and we’ll find out who’s joining Fnatic in the City of Light by the end of August. Until then, they can breathe easy knowing their place at Champions is already secured, but you can bet they’ll still be chasing another trophy along the way.

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From climbing the ranks in Ascension to battling it out on the big stage, Nongshim RedForce have done it again, they’re officially heading to the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Playoffs.

The Korean side, who earned their VCT spot by winning last year’s Ascension Grand Final (back when they were called Sin Prisa Gaming), locked in their Playoffs berth with a convincing 2–0 win over Gen.G Esports in the group stage. It’s a massive step that keeps their 2026 VCT hopes alive.

They rose through Ascension, and now they rise again.

Nongshim RedForce are headed to the #VCTPacific Stage 2 Playoffs! 🍜 pic.twitter.com/gFLLqnvBx4

— VCT Pacific (@vctpacific) August 8, 2025

With Riot’s updated rules, Ascension teams need to either make it to VALORANT Champions or reach Stage 2 Playoffs to defend their VCT spot for the following year. Falling short means direct relegation back to Challengers.

That win over Gen.G means Nongshim are guaranteed at least a shot at Ascension 2025, and if they go even further and place top two in Stage 2, they’ll automatically lock in their place for VCT Pacific 2026 without having to go through the gauntlet again.

The playoff picture is heating up

Group Alpha is suddenly wide open. DRX are leading with a 3–1 record, followed by Nongshim and Gen.G both at 3–2, and Rex Regum Qeon at 2–2. Even Team Secret, currently sitting at 1–3, still have a slim shot at sneaking into the Playoffs.

Over in Group Omega, Paper Rex have pulled ahead with a 4–1 record after a clean 2–0 win over TALON, who now sit at 3–2. DetonatioN FocusMe remain in the mix at 3–1, while Nongshim’s fellow Ascension graduates, BOOM Esports, have unfortunately gone 0–4 and will miss out on the Playoffs, only keeping their Ascension hopes alive through VCT points.

VCT Pacific Stage 2 Standings August 8 | Image via vlr.gg

For Nongshim, the dream of back-to-back VCT seasons is still well within reach, but the next few matches will be crucial.

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