A Fresh Start After a Year of Change

Just hours after confirming the departure of Zachary “zekken” Patrone, Sentinels have wasted no time unveiling their complete 2026 VALORANT lineup. The reveal came through a cheeky announcement video on X (formerly Twitter), featuring Amine “johnqt” Ouarid and a nod to the team’s now-famous “chair” meme before introducing the full roster.

To new beginnings pic.twitter.com/UIzPTXiJ34

— Sentinels (@Sentinels) November 1, 2025

The North American giants enter 2026 with a brand-new look and a blend of veteran leadership and young talent, signalling the start of a rebuilding phase that could define their next chapter.

The New Sentinels Lineup for 2026

Sentinels’ confirmed roster for the 2026 VALORANT season includes:

• Mohamed “johnqt” Amine Ouarid
• Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey
• Gabriel “cortezia” Cortez
• Mirel “Kyu” Braco Hrustemovic
• Yassine “Reduxx” Aboulalazm

Rounding out the staff are head coach Adam “kaplan” Kaplan, assistant coach Luke “GUNTER” Clives, and managers Bryan “Zyto” Ybanez and Kevin “Kez” Jeon.

This marks the first time in years that Sentinels’ VALORANT division has looked almost entirely different. With zekken and Zellsis gone, johnqt now stands as the sole remaining member of the VCT 2024 Masters Madrid championship squad, carrying the torch of one of North America’s most iconic rosters.

Johnqt Holds the Core Together

Amine “johnqt” Ouarid returns as Sentinels’ in-game leader, extending his run with the organisation into a third season. Widely respected for his composure and tactical mind, johnqt led Sentinels to their second Masters title in 2024, but 2025 was a rocky year, with their best finish being 5th–6th at Masters Toronto.

Heading into 2026, he remains the backbone of the team, providing the experience and structure that could steady Sentinels through another transition year.

N4RRATE Stays On for Another Season

Also sticking around is Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey, whose consistency on Initiator agents earned him another shot on the main roster. His reliable utility play and adaptability throughout 2025 proved valuable enough for Sentinels to continue building around him.

Cortezia Brings South American Firepower

Joining from MIBR, Gabriel “cortezia” Cortez arrives after an impressive breakout year in 2025. He helped MIBR reach both Masters Toronto and Champions Paris, where the team surprised many with a top-six finish. Known for his sharp defensive play and calm under pressure, cortezia continues Sentinels’ long-running connection with Brazilian talent, following the likes of Sacy and pANcada.

His addition also opens tactical possibilities for Sentinels, as his ability to anchor sites could allow johnqt to experiment with more flexible agent roles.

From Cubert to the Big Stage: Kyu and Reduxx

Rounding out the lineup are two promising academy graduates from Sentinels’ Cubert Academy, Mirel “Kyu” Braco Hrustemovic and Yassine “Reduxx” Aboulalazm.

Kyu, a late addition to the academy squad, made an immediate impact during VCL North America Stage 3, helping Cubert go undefeated in the Swiss Stage and secure a top-four finish. His sharp Initiator play could complement N4RRATE in a potential double-Initiator setup.

Reduxx, meanwhile, steps into zekken’s former role as the team’s duelist. Having turned 18 earlier this year, Reduxx already built a name for himself in the NA scene through Oxygen Esports and later with Sentinels’ academy. Known for his electric aim and flexible agent pool, his promotion marks a full-circle moment, he previously subbed for Sentinels in Red Bull Home Ground #5, hinting that the organisation had been grooming him for this opportunity all along.

A Long-Term Project in Motion

Sentinels’ CEO Rob Moore recently confirmed that the entire 2026 roster has been signed through to 2028, emphasising a long-term vision for the team. While the new lineup may lack the star power of previous eras, it represents a strategic investment in developing talent rather than relying on big-name signings.

With Kaplan still at the helm, Sentinels are clearly betting on structure, growth, and chemistry to bring them back to the top of the VCT. Fans may not see instant results, but the potential for a strong comeback is certainly there.

Looking Ahead

After years of high expectations and public scrutiny, this is a fresh beginning for Sentinels — a mix of seasoned leadership, international flair, and homegrown potential.

Whether this roster can replicate the organisation’s former glory or carve out a new legacy entirely remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Sentinels are officially back in rebuild mode, and all eyes will be on how far this new generation can go.

The post Sentinels Reveal Their 2026 VALORANT Roster: A New Era Begins appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A new chapter is about to begin for North American esports powerhouse Sentinels, as the organisation officially joins the League Championship Series (LCS) for the 2026 season.

The move marks Sentinels’ full return to League of Legends after nearly a decade away, and it comes at a transformative moment for the league as it reverts to an independent model. Sentinels will take over the Provisional Guest Team slot, becoming the LCS’s eighth permanent partner team and ushering in fresh rivalries, energy, and storylines for North American fans.

The next era of Sentinels pic.twitter.com/PoHiBWZ0ET

— Sentinels (@Sentinels) October 10, 2025

From Phoenix1 to Sentinels

For long-time followers of the LCS, this isn’t Sentinels’ first time on the Rift. Before the organisation became known for its VALORANT success, its roots lay in Phoenix1, which competed in the LCS between Summer 2016 and Summer 2017.

Phoenix1 had a memorable run, finishing third in the 2017 Spring Split and producing standout moments like Noh “Arrow” Dong-hyeon earning the Split MVP title and Mike “MikeYeung” Yeung being crowned Rookie of the Split that summer. The team also represented North America at the inaugural Rift Rivals, helping the region defeat Europe 4–2 — including a clean sweep against G2 Esports.

Now, as Sentinels, they aim to build on that legacy and bring their trademark confidence and flair back to the league.

Building a Future in League

Sentinels CEO Rob Moore called the move “the next stage in Sentinels’ evolution,” highlighting how the organisation’s journey from Fortnite to VALORANT and now League of Legends represents a natural progression.

“We value our relationship with Riot, we respect the history of the LCS, and we are committed to bringing the same level of preparation, resources, and fan experience that our community expects from Sentinels,” Moore said.

Sentinels have already proven themselves on the world stage with two international VALORANT trophies, and Moore believes that same formula of investment, infrastructure, and fan engagement can carry over to League.

According to Riot’s announcement, the team will invest in multi-year coaching, player development, and infrastructure to create a roster that mixes veteran experience with emerging talent. Staffing details, roster reveals, and community initiatives will be shared in the coming months.

A Cheeky Welcome

The announcement came with a humorous touch, a video featuring legendary LCS player Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng wearing a Sentinels jersey. While Doublelift confirmed he won’t be joining the roster, the cameo was a fitting nod to the region’s rich history and Sentinels’ ability to blend competition with entertainment.

Fellow LCS teams also joined in on the fun, including Shopify Rebellion’s Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami, who recorded a lighthearted welcome video from Sentinels’ own signature red chair. Even G2 Esports couldn’t resist joining the banter after Moore joked on X about “a commitment to beating G2.”

Looking Ahead

With their official League of Legends division now confirmed, Sentinels are ready to expand their footprint in Riot Games’ ecosystem. The organisation already competes in VALORANT, Apex Legends, StarCraft II, and Marvel Rivals, and even runs Cubert Academy, a development program aimed at nurturing up-and-coming talent.

Their re-entry into the LCS represents not just a comeback, but a continuation of their long-standing vision: to build competitive teams that fans can connect with across every major title.

The Sentinels’ return is more than nostalgia. It’s a statement, one that promises fierce competition, high production value, and the kind of entertainment that’s made them one of the most recognisable names in esports today.

The post Sentinels Join the LCS in 2026, Reigniting Their League of Legends Legacy appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FACEIT has officially cleared Counter-Strike 2 prodigy nocries of any wrongdoing following a detailed integrity review, putting an end to weeks of community speculation about his sudden rise to the top of the North American leaderboard.

The investigation began after nocries, a relatively new name in the FACEIT scene, shot to Rank #1 in North America, drawing attention from fans and esports organisations curious about his rapid climb. FACEIT launched a full three-phase review to ensure its competitive integrity standards were upheld.

A Deep Dive Into the Details
From August to September 2025, FACEIT’s integrity team carried out an extensive audit, checking for signs of multi-accounting, smurfing, or win-trading. No issues were found, and the Anti-Cheat client detected no suspicious activity. The review also confirmed that the account had no prior bans or sanctions.

Next came a background check on 16 September, where nocries sat down for a formal video interview with FACEIT’s Integrity staff. The goal was to verify details about his identity, Steam account, and gameplay history, all of which had sparked speculation online.

FACEIT verified that nocries, a player of Buryatia background with Mongolian heritage, had only one registered FACEIT account created in January 2022. His government-issued Russian ID matched previous FACEIT verification records, and his Steam account. created in 2021, showed nearly 6,000 hours of Counter-Strike play. He also reported having around 10,000 hours across older accounts shared during his early teens.

From Europe to North America
The review noted that nocries had reached nearly 3,000 Elo in Europe while playing CS:GO in late 2022, despite dealing with higher latency from Russia. After relocating to the United States earlier this year, his latency dropped significantly, allowing him to compete more consistently in North American queues starting in June 2025.

The team also examined IP variances and VPN usage, both of which were confirmed to align with his student travel and relocation. Even an activity gap from late 2024 to early 2025 was accounted for, as nocries took time off during his move and PC rebuild.

Proving Himself on LAN
To address any lingering doubts, FACEIT invited nocries to its New York headquarters for supervised LAN play between 23–25 September 2025. Using FACEIT-secured hardware, he played nine matches under direct observation.

His performance matched his previous online results, showing consistent mechanics and natural statistical variance. In fact, during the visit he not only re-claimed Rank #1 in North America but also top-fragged in his first-ever FACEIT Pro League (FPL) match.

FACEIT’s Final Verdict
“The review found no breach of FACEIT’s competitive integrity policies,” the company confirmed in its official statement.

Following the successful review, nocries’ trial invitation to the FPL circuit has been upgraded to an indefinite invite, allowing him to keep competing alongside professional players and top-tier talents.

FACEIT revealed nocries history in Counter Strike ‼️

> Played VALORANT from 2020 to 2022
> Peaked at 2,974 ELO in EU (2022, CSGO) while playing from Russia on 120 ping
> Moved to NA
> Reached TOP 1 on NA FACEIT
> Invited to FPL pic.twitter.com/GTfLXgyq6R

— Ozzny (@Ozzny_CS2) October 3, 2025

FACEIT also announced plans to introduce a new validation protocol for high-ranked players and roll out an updated Anti-Cheat system aimed at further securing the integrity of its ranked ecosystem.

What’s Next for Nocries?
Having cleared his name and proven his skill on LAN, nocries now stands as one of North America’s most promising up-and-coming CS2 talents. His next goal? Joining a professional team and competing on the international stage.

Given his composure, consistency, and drive, it might not be long before we see nocries representing an organisation at a major Counter-Strike event.

The post Free! FACEIT Clears Rising CS2 Star Nocries After Full Integrity Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Cloud9 has officially appointed Nick “Inero” Smith as the new Head Coach of its League of Legends roster, marking the start of a new chapter for the North American organisation. The move comes shortly after the departure of Bok “Reapered” Han-gyu, who had been in his second stint with the team.

Inero, 31, joined Cloud9 in November 2024 as a coach and now steps up into the lead role for the first time since leaving Immortals in September 2024. Before joining C9, he built his coaching résumé across multiple organisations including Dream Team, Echo Fox, Golden Guardians, Disguised and Immortals.

Who better to lead us into the return of the LCS than someone who’s been through it all@Inero is the new Cloud9 Kia Head Coach 🤝 pic.twitter.com/8HqxY1Scyx

— Cloud9 Kia (@C9LoL) October 1, 2025

Building on 2025 results

Although Cloud9 entered 2025 as one of LTA North’s strongest squads, the team’s form faltered in the latter half of the year. C9 recorded a top-four finish at the LTA Cross-Conference tournament and reached the finals of Split 2, but their Worlds run ended early. A defeat to 100 Thieves in Split 3 left them outside qualification for the 2025 League of Legends World Championship in China.

Missing Worlds closed the book on Cloud9’s 2025 season, giving Inero an opportunity to reshape the roster and introduce new strategies ahead of the 2026 LCS campaign. With C9 already a six-time LCS champion and boasting 10 Worlds appearances in its history, expectations will remain sky-high.

The end of the Reapered era (again)

Reapered’s exit signals the close of his second run as C9’s Head Coach. He first joined the organisation in 2016 after transitioning from a successful playing career into coaching with EDward Gaming. During his initial tenure, he led Cloud9 to consistent top finishes, including a top-four placement at Worlds 2018, which remains the highest finish for a North American team at the event.

Under his leadership, Cloud9 also dominated the 2020 LCS Spring Split, dropping just one match on their way to lifting the trophy after sweeping FlyQuest in the Grand Final. Reapered later coached 100 Thieves and Sengoku Gaming before returning to Cloud9 in 2024, though his second stint ended after the team’s struggles in 2025.

Looking forward

For Inero, this is not just a promotion but a chance to cement his legacy as a head coach. With a strong history of developing rosters across multiple orgs, he will be tasked with steering Cloud9 back to the top of the LCS and ensuring they’re once again in contention on the global stage.

Fans won’t have to wait too long to see how his leadership shapes the team, as the 2026 season promises to be one of the most competitive yet.

The post Cloud9 Names Inero as New League of Legends Head Coach After Reapered’s Exit appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Team Liquid has confirmed the departure of Jeong “Impact” Eon-young, one of the most decorated and recognisable top laners in League of Legends history.

Today we say farewell to @Impact.

6 trophies, 1 MVP, and countless memories. Please support him in his future endeavors! pic.twitter.com/wKytYzID7b

— Team Liquid LoL (@TeamLiquidLoL) September 22, 2025

The 30-year-old Korean veteran leaves after his second stint with the North American organisation, marking the end of an era that saw him lift six domestic titles and help cement Team Liquid’s dominance in the LCS.

A Farewell Message From Impact

The news came with a heartfelt farewell video, where Impact opened up about his struggles during the 2025 season and his reasons for stepping away.

“I think this year, I didn’t do my job very well,” he admitted. “It sucks, I’m sorry. I think I’d better take a break, like one or two months, and think about what I want to do. Because I feel like, this year especially, I lost my passion too much.”

Impact explained that the joy he once found in the game had faded, and a combination of poor results and personal challenges made it hard to continue. He revealed that a breakup with his long-term girlfriend and Team Liquid’s lack of success contributed heavily to his struggles.

“My problem is that I cannot control my emotions too much because I’m kind of an honest guy,” he said. “I just broke up with my girlfriend too, we dated for six years. At the same time, the team wasn’t doing well. I played poorly. I think I lost my goal in my life.”

Despite the disappointment, he was quick to add that he isn’t walking away from League of Legends entirely. “If I can’t find a new team, then I’ll still do my best, whether that’s practising on my own or helping scrims for other teams, so I’ll be ready when the time comes.”

A Storied Career Across Two Regions

Impact is one of the most experienced players in the scene, with a career spanning more than 13 years.

He first rose to fame in 2013 when he won the World Championship with SK Telecom T1 alongside Faker, cementing his place in esports history. Two years later, he made the move to North America, where he became one of the region’s most consistent and reliable top laners.

Over the years, he competed for Team Impulse, NRG Esports, Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, FlyQuest and, of course, Team Liquid. His time with Liquid is particularly noteworthy, as he remains the only player to help the team secure six LCS/LTA titles and even earn an MVP award.

With Team Liquid failing to qualify for Worlds 2025 after a disappointing playoff run, changes were inevitable. According to the League of Legends Global Contract Database, Impact’s contract was set to expire in November, but his decision to step away arrived early.

What’s Next for Team Liquid

Impact’s departure signals a major shift for Team Liquid heading into the offseason. His long-time teammate Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in also has his contract expiring at the end of the year, leaving Liquid facing a crucial rebuild.

Without Impact, Team Liquid has never won a North American title, a fact that has many fans and analysts doubting their prospects in the upcoming season. LoL betting sites are already tipping them to fall behind rivals like FlyQuest and 100 Thieves.

As for Impact, his immediate future is uncertain. Whether he returns to the LCS with a new team, transitions into a mentoring role, or takes time away to travel and rediscover himself, his legacy as one of League of Legends’ greatest top laners is already secured.

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