As the dust settles over the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) 2025 Ascension event, Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) has emerged victorious. The win means a spot at VCT 2026 China, while Rare Atom has once again suffered defeat.

Despite an impressive 2nd-place finish at VCT 2025 China Stage 2, DRG placed lower at Champions Paris than the other Ascension team, XLG Esports. The poor result in France meant DRG had to fight for survival, and their spot at VCT 2026 China. 

DRG were the favorites, as we explained in our VCT Ascension 2025 predictions, where we had Rare Atom as the top contender to challenge DRG. In Shanghai, China, DRG lifted their second Ascension trophy, after winning the inaugural VCT China Ascension 2023 event over none other than Rare Atom. 

DRG Lifts VCT 2025 China Ascension Trophy

Eight teams competed on LAN for one spot in VCT 2026 China. DRG topped Group A with a clean 2-0 record. However, in the first round of the playoffs, a team called Any Questions, with 2024 world champion as the tip of the spear, Hsieh “S1Mon” Meng-hsun, stung DRG with a 2-0 defeat.

In the lower bracket of the VCT 2025 China Ascension playoffs, DRG bounced back with vigor, beating OD Gaming 2-0. Any Questions fell to Rare Atom in the upper bracket, and DRG sent them packing in a close 3-2 slugfest.

Against Rare Atom in the best-of-five grand final, DRG took no prisoners, delivering a masterclass in domination. With a 13-4 win on Corrode, a 13-10 win on Sunset, and a devastating 13-1 win on Bind, DRG claimed the trophy and a spot at VCT 2026 China. 

Lin “SpiritZ1” Ting-yu was named the MVP of the grand final, with a chart-topping K/D/A of 49/ 39 /15 and an Average Combat Score (ACS) of 250.

TOP5 of #VCTAscensionCN Grand Final!! pic.twitter.com/rHwtkIOpef

— VALORANT Champions Tour CN (@valesports_cn) October 20, 2025

The result marks Rare Atom’s third loss in an Ascension grand final. Rare Atom was previously defeated 3-0 at the 2024 Ascension event by XLG Esports and 3-1 by DRG at the 2023 event. 

Credit where credit’s due: Rare Atom continues to valiantly fight for a spot in VCT China, despite suffering multiple losses so close to the finish line. The good news for Rare Atom is that due to format changes in the 2026 season, Challenger teams will have a chance to qualify for the Stage 2 Playoffs events in their region, which could lead to a spot in Champions 2026.

The Ascension events for other regions are still underway, as the competing teams fight tooth and nail for a coveted spot in the main leagues.

VCT 2025 Pacific Ascension finishes up on October 26, while both Americas and EMEA will come to a close on October 27, offering heart-pounding Valorant for fans to consume.