Ian “tex” Botsch has officially signed with Leviatán today, taking on the role of Sentinel to complete the South American team’s potential five-man roster. This marks Leviatán’s second major move of the offseason, following the recent signing of VCT Americas MVP aspas. Tex will be playing alongside aspas, but instead of competing for the duelist role, he will primarily focus on playing Chamber as a Sentinel.
Tex gained recognition as a duelist, particularly during his time with NRG from early 2021 to the end of the 2022 season. His standout performances came in Stage Two Challengers in 2022, where NRG finished fourth. Tex excelled in two key areas during this period: securing first picks and maintaining a high headshot percentage. He ranked second in both categories across Stage Two Challengers, with only Jaccob “yay” Whiteaker performing better in terms of securing first picks, according to vlr.gg.
It is important to note that this success occurred during a period when many duelists had to transition from traditional agents like Jett and Raze to Chamber. Tex demonstrated his adaptability by seamlessly incorporating Chamber into his gameplay, although he had yet to truly distinguish himself.
Tex’s breakthrough came when he joined The Guard in 2023, stepping into the duelist role previously held by Sayaplayer. Playing alongside some of the best tier-two talent in the Americas, tex showcased his skills and improved in every aspect of his game. He proved his proficiency with Jett and Raze at a high level, while maintaining his ability to secure first kills.
Following The Guard’s victory in Ascension, it seemed tex would continue with the team and secure a franchising slot. However, The Guard’s application was denied, leaving the players as free agents and causing disappointment among fans. While tex’s former teammates found slots in VCT Americas with G2 Esports, he was not signed alongside them. Tex announced his free agency on Twitter, highlighting his versatility in playing both Sentinel and Duelist roles.
Leviatán seized the opportunity to add tex to their already formidable roster. With KiNgg and aspas as their firepower duo, tex brings his experience as a former duelist and Ascension champion. The only question now is whether his time on Chamber and occasional moments on Sage have adequately prepared him for a full-time role swap.
Regardless, Leviatán has assembled a multinational American roster with exceptional shooting skills, giving them a strong chance to surpass their previous performances.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
