The Japanese VALORANT team, FENNEL, has been dealt a blow ahead of the Red Bull Home Ground #4 tournament in Tokyo. One of their players, Yuto “Xdll” Mizomori, has been suspended for two months due to engaging in smurfing and boosting activities. This means that Xdll will miss out on the opportunity to compete against top teams in front of a local crowd. FENNEL is now in search of a substitute player to fill the void.
Smurfing and boosting, which involve playing at lower ranks on new or other players’ accounts to artificially raise their rank, are considered serious offenses in the gaming community. While some players may have engaged in smurfing in the past, it is heavily frowned upon for professional players, especially if it involves payment. The severity of the punishment varies across organizations and regions, but FENNEL’s decision to suspend Xdll for two months is relatively severe.
The suspension does not have a significant impact on FENNEL outside of off-season events like the Red Bull Home Ground. However, it is still unfortunate for Xdll to miss the chance to showcase his skills at an international tournament in front of a local audience. Finding a replacement player is now a priority for FENNEL as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.
The Red Bull Home Ground tournament, scheduled for early November, offers a prize pool that has yet to be announced. While it is an off-season event, it provides an opportunity for teams to demonstrate their capabilities before the VCT 2024 season. FENNEL earned their spot in the tournament through a Japanese qualifier, making the need for a replacement player even more crucial.
FENNEL will have to adapt to the situation and find a suitable replacement player who can seamlessly integrate into the team. They will face tough competition from renowned teams like ZETA DIVISION, 100 Thieves, and DRX. The absence of Xdll due to the suspension adds an additional challenge for FENNEL, who already have to make unexpected changes to their roster.
Overall, the suspension serves as a reminder that smurfing and boosting are not tolerated in professional gaming, particularly in the Pacific region. FENNEL’s decision to suspend Xdll reflects the seriousness of the offense, even if it may be a common practice among regular ranked players. The team now faces the task of regrouping and finding a replacement player who can help them compete at the highest level in the upcoming tournament.
Source: DOTESPORTS
