Let’s take a closer look at the 100 Thieves’ interesting triple initiator composition for Haven at the VCT NA Challengers Playoffs. Was it a good move?
100 Thieves triple initiator on Haven at VCT NA
Nobody was surprised that a team as established as 100T came into the Valorant Challengers Playoffs with a set game plan. The triple initiator team composition at Haven against every opponent, including Sentinels, took everyone by surprise. Haven was primarily 100T’s map pick in every series, except for the times thart XSET and Team Envy picked the map before they could.
Every time they had to play in Haven, 100T put Joshua “steel” Nissan, Ethan “Ethan” Arnold and Spencer “Hiko” Martin on the agents KAY/O, Skye, and Sova, respectively. In an interview with Dotesports, Hiko explained why 100T decided to run the triple initiator composition.
Hiko on the 100 Thieves triple initiator composition
The first thing Hiko pointed out was the fact that other teams don’t run KAY/O yet. He added that KAY/O’s Counter-Strike-like playstyle fit their roster perfectly, noting his team’s long history with professional CS. The information-gathering abilities should let 100T play “more reactively” than other team compositions with a sentinel or Astra.
How the composition turned out
The first time we saw 100 Thieves rock the triple initiator comp, it was on Haven in their match against FaZe Clan. While FaZe is known for aggressive plays, the 100T reactive defense nullified them, resulting in a one-sided second half that ended in a 13-6 scoreline. Following that was 100T vs. XSET in arguably the playoffs’ most dramatic comebacks.
The match started off looking like XSET had the new-look 100T defense figured out, closing the first half 9-3 in favor of XSET. However, the 100T attack was much more potent and only allowed their opponents to take two rounds in the final half. Steel on KAY/O was impressive against both FaZe Clan and XSET as he secured double-digit kills and a whopping eighteen assists in both matches.
Hiccups of the 100 Thieves comp in VCT NA
Unfortunately for 100 Thieves, figuring out how to play against the triple initiator composition seemed to have been quickly understood by their succeeding opponents. 100T lost Haven to Team Envy 13-5, with 100T winning only two rounds on defense.
Sentinels won both of their Haven matchups and kept 100 Thieves from taking more than eight rounds. The first match-up in the upper finals saw Sentinels shut steel’s KAY/O in impressive fashion. steel was first to die six times, ironically nullifying all of the agent’s utility. The second matchup in the grand finals saw Sentinels hold Asuna’s Jett to a quiet 8/18/3 KDA.
Sentinel’s Jared “zombs” Gitlin said in a post-match interview, “I personally think they have a lot of work to do. Their agent comps aren’t good on any map, so they need to figure out their agent pool situation and get everyone on the correct characters to have a chance at winning.”
Hiko mentioned that the 100 Thieves team and coaching staff would re-evaluate their composition and strategies heading into Masters Berlin.
