Sentinels, one of the top VALORANT teams, has made a smart move in the offseason by signing a new in-game leader (IGL). They have brought on board former M80 IGL, Mouhamed “johnqt” Ouarid, who has proven himself in the tier-two VALORANT scene with successful performances on Ghost Gaming and M80. This marks johnqt’s first time playing for a franchised VALORANT team.
This signing addresses a crucial issue that Sentinels faced throughout the 2023 season – the need for a strong IGL. In their first year as a franchised team, Sentinels struggled with their original IGL, Rory “dephh” Jackson, and faced challenges when the meta shifted to favor double-controller compositions. Despite having a talented roster, Sentinels dropped in the standings and underwent several roster changes.
With the addition of johnqt, Sentinels now have a flexible player who can play the sentinel role, controllers, or initiators as needed, while also providing strong leadership. This is exactly what Sentinels needed heading into the 2024 season. They can now utilize the skills of Bryan “pANcada” Luna, one of the best controllers in the world, without forcing him into other roles to fit the meta. Additionally, with maps like Sunset and Breeze returning to the rotation, double-controller setups are becoming more prevalent, further enhancing Sentinels’ strategic options.
The signing of johnqt solidifies Sentinels’ potential roster for 2024, with minimal changes from the previous year. TenZ, zekken, and the two Brazilians will continue to be part of the team. With johnqt as the new IGL, Sentinels now have a well-rounded starting roster with great flexibility.
By retaining four players from last year and adding a strong leader, Sentinels are taking a different approach compared to other teams in the VCT Americas region, who are undergoing major roster shakeups. The team is determined to reclaim their position at the top of the region in the upcoming year.
About the author
Source: DOTESPORTS
