Dragon Ranger Gaming Sweep Rare Atom to Rejoin VCT China 2025

Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) have officially reclaimed their spot in the VCT China League after a statement run at VCT Ascension China 2025, capping off a lower-bracket resurgence with a dominant 3-0 Grand Final sweep over Rare Atom to secure the region’s lone promotion slot for the 2026 season.

VCT CN

Dragon Ranger Gaming VCT China 2025 Redemption Run The Stakes: One Ticket, No Second Chances

VCT Ascension China is one of the most cutthroat paths in the Valorant ecosystem: eight contenders, one seat, and zero room for error.With the franchised league offering just a single promotion slot per year, Ascension is more than a tournament— it’s a pressure chamber, and only one team can emerge victorious.

Group Stage: A Clear Field Takes Shape

Group A was all about Dragon Ranger Gaming’s dominance. DRG cruised through the opening phase with a flawless 2-0 record (4-0 in maps), showcasing structured defaults and confident mid-round calling. Their reads were a tier above the competition, shutting down Thunder Gaming before dismantling Zhu Chao Gaming in the Winners Match to lock in first seed.

Behind them, Octagonal Disposition Gaming (ODG) recovered from a rocky start, edging out ZCG in the Decider to claim the final playoff ticket.

Over in Group B, Rare Atom emerged as the clear favorite. With explosive early-round pacing and confident site takes, they topped the group 2-0. Any Questions (AQ) battled through the lower bracket, recovering from an opening loss to RA and eliminating Ambitious Legend Gaming in a tense Decider match to grab the second seed. Chosen Clique Gaming, despite flashes of potential, exited winless.

Playoff Run: Rising Through the Gauntlet

The playoff bracket delivered a far more chaotic storyline than the groups. Rare Atom and Any Questions stormed through the upper bracket, while ODG and DRG were pushed into the lower bracket early.

Rare Atom showcased their structure and late-round discipline, sweeping ODG 2-0 before toppling AQ to reach the Grand Final undefeated. AQ, led by S1mon, upset DRG 2-0 in their upper bracket meeting, sending DRG into elimination territory earlier than expected.

But the lower bracket is where everything changed.

Backed into a corner, DRG refused to fold. With sharper reads and renewed urgency, they dismantled ODG 2-0 in the Lower Semifinal before facing AQ again in a heated rematch. This time, momentum and preparation were on DRG’s side. Adjusted pacing and improved trading neutralized AQ’s setups, earning DRG a 2-1 revenge win and a ticket to the Grand Final against Rare Atom.

Grand Final: DRG Sweep Rare Atom to Reclaim the Ascension Crown

In the title decider, Dragon Ranger Gaming produced their most complete series of the tournament, sweeping Rare Atom 3-0 with relentless pace, cleaner rounds, and superior firepower on every map — Corrode, Sunset, and Bind.

Map 1 — Corrode (13–4): SpiritZ1 and Nicc Set the Tone

DRG came out swinging on Corrode. Nicc (15/10/6) and SpiritZ1 (15/13/5) locked down key duels and shut RA out of space early. Their defensive discipline and superior trading earned a commanding lead, and once sides swapped, their aggressive attack pacing overwhelmed RA. DRG closed the opener swiftly, planting the first flag in the series.

Map 2 — Sunset (13–10): vo0kashu Steps Up in the Mid-Round

Rare Atom pushed Sunset into a close battle, but vo0kashu (23/17/6) became the difference-maker. His clutch plays in mid-to-late rounds, alongside Flex1n’s anchor stability, kept DRG in control. RA pressured the scoreline, but when it mattered most, DRG’s composure and utility layering helped them pull away to reach match point.

Map 3 — Bind (13–1): Akeman Slams the Door Shut

The final map was a demolition. Akeman (17/7/3) delivered a star performance, with Nicc and SpiritZ1 continuing their dominance. DRG won 11 of the first 12 rounds, suffocating Rare Atom’s defense. With momentum snowballing, DRG closed the map 13–1 and the series in emphatic fashion.

DRG Sweep Rare Atom in Grand Final to Reclaim Ascension Crown

With the Ascension trophy in hand, Dragon Ranger Gaming officially return to VCT China for 2026. Their comeback not only strengthens the regional field but adds another dangerous contender to the tier-one landscape.

After a year of setbacks, DRG re-enter the league not as challengers, but as a team determined to stay and compete with China’s best on the main stage once again.