DRX Changers have revamped their squad with the addition of three new players.
JAPAN – DRX Changers have revealed a revamped roster for 2024, introducing three changes to their lineup which remains a Japanese-majority roster but with the addition of a Southeast Asian player for the first time. The fresh roster comprises Karla “bes” Reyes, previously from RRQ Kaguya, former IGZIST Female member “YOME“, and promising 16-year-old talent “Ache“.
In this reshuffle, the new trio will be stepping into the positions formerly held by Tamai “juri” Juri, Yume “Dori” Suzuki, and Ye “Yue” Ling-juan step aside, with Juri now assuming a managerial role for DRX Changers and the latter two granted the opportunity to explore options as restricted free agents.
The decision comes on the heels of DRX Changers’ 5-6th place finish at their crucial event of the season, VCT Game Changers Japan Split 2, which offered three qualification berths for the East Asia stage. Unfortunately, the team led by Won “Healing” yoo-jin was unable to replicate the success of the previous Split, where they secured a second-place finish behind ZETA DIVISION GC.
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bes joins the ranks of DRX Changers’ Game Changers division, making the move two months after parting ways with Indonesia-Filipino combine RRQ Kaguya, who were strong contenders of overwhelming favorites Team SMG in the APAC circuit during the latter half of the season. RRQ Kaguya managed to qualify for all five VCT Game Changers APAC competitions last year and came close to winning the last two in APAC Open 3 and APAC Elite but finished in second place to Team SMG in both instances.
Meanwhile, the team’s foundation will be bolstered by the inclusion of YOME and Ache, as their presence aligns with the requirement of having at least three Japanese players or a majority of a team in the JP circuit. YOME formerly played for IGZIST Female in the past two seasons and most notably reached the main event of VCT Game Changers Japan Split 2, while Ache remains a relatively unknown player in the environment but is being praised as a rising talent, despite being just 16 years old.
The newly revamped DRX Changers have appeared in two officials together, joining the Open Qualifier of VALORANT Challengers Japan Split 1. Unfortunately, they faced defeats against SETOUCHI SPARKS and Team Duration, resulting in their early elimination. Their next challenge will come in the yet-to-be-announced VCT Game Changers Japan.
DRX Changers’ complete roster for the 2024 season is as follows:
- 🇯🇵 Ayami “Aika” Matsui
- 🇯🇵 “YOME”
- 🇯🇵 “Ache”
- 🇰🇷 Won “Healing” yoo-jin
- 🇰🇷 Jeong “SeoeuN” Seo-eun
- 🇰🇷 Kang “YuRiHaNa” Jin-joo
- 🇵🇭 Karla “bes” Reyes
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Cover photo courtesy of RRQ
