In a surprising turn of events, LOUD, a formidable force in the world of VALORANT, fell short of expectations at the recent VCT Masters Tokyo tournament. The team, which had showcased its prowess by reaching the LOCK//IN grand final, suffered a shocking exit from the competition without securing a single win. This unexpected outcome has raised concerns about the squad's performance and has left fans wondering about the reasons behind their underwhelming showing.

LOUD Faces Defeat From EG in VCT Masters Tokyo

LOUD entered VCT Masters Tokyo as the first seed from the Americas, allowing them to skip the group stage. However, their journey took a downward turn when they faced fellow North American representatives, Evil Geniuses, on June 15. Despite their previous dominance over EG in regional play, LOUD was outplayed in both aim and strategy, thanks to outstanding Sova play from Corbin "C0M" Lee and an exceptional series from Alexander "jawgemo" Mor.

Sent to the lower bracket early, LOUD faced unexpected opposition in the form of EDward Gaming, the sole Chinese representative in the playoffs. Unfortunately, LOUD's map veto decision raised eyebrows among fans, opting for Lotus, a map that statistically favored EDG. This decision backfired as LOUD suffered a disheartening 13-6 defeat, leaving them on the ropes.

Despite managing to put together a somewhat decent half on Fracture, LOUD couldn't maintain their momentum. Although they showcased resilience with forcebuy wins early in the second half, EDG fought back and tied the series at 10-10. It seemed like LOUD might have a chance at redemption in their first close map of the tournament. However, a devastating play by Wang "nobody" Senxu shattered all hopes of a LOUD victory. Despite LOUD's Breach ultimate stunning EDG's Skye player, nobody turned the tables by tearing through LOUD, killing three and ultimately sending the Brazilian squad packing.

Critics have pointed out several areas of improvement for LOUD. The team's decision to consistently field Erick "aspas" Santos on Neon instead of his traditional Jett raised questions, and their set plays appeared tactically weak compared to their opponents. These factors, combined with the team's inability to adapt effectively, contributed to their downfall.

LOUD's disappointing performance at VCT Masters Tokyo highlights the competitive nature of VALORANT and the need for teams to continually evolve. While their previous accomplishments speak to their potential, this tournament has exposed some weaknesses in their gameplay. The squad will now have to regroup, analyze their mistakes, and work towards addressing these shortcomings before their next appearance at VALORANT Champions 2023.

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As the VALORANT community reflects on LOUD's struggles, the outcome serves as a reminder that even powerhouses can stumble. It remains to be seen how LOUD will bounce back from this setback and whether they can reclaim their position as one of the premier teams in the competitive VALORANT scene.