May 4 Riot has told The Loadout that VCT Masters Reykjavik will use the map selection system from Masters 1, following Breeze’s removal from the map pool.
Valorant’s new tropical island-themed map, Breeze, was all set to get a very early debut on the biggest stage Valorant has had to date: the Valorant Champions Tour Stage 2 Masters LAN in Reykjavík, Iceland.
However, Riot has today announced that after consulting with the players attending the tournament later this month, Breeze will not feature and will be removed from the map pool. This means that only the five maps played throughout Stage 2 of the VCT – Bind, Ascent, Haven, Split, and Icebox – will remain.
With the map only releasing less than two weeks ago, and Reykjavík fast approaching, Riot and the players have agreed that there is not enough time to effectively learn the map and get sufficient scrim time on it. “After conferring with pro players globally, in the interest of competitive integrity, Breeze has been removed from the map rotation at Masters Reykjavík,” Riot says in a tweet. “Considering the overlap with Challenger Playoffs and travel to Iceland, four weeks is not enough time to practice a new map.”
While many were understandably excited to see Breeze’s competitive debut, the decision has been mainly met with agreement.
After conferring with pro players globally, in the interest of competitive integrity, Breeze has been removed from the map rotation at Masters Reykjavik.
Considering the overlap with Challenger Playoffs and travel to Iceland, 4 weeks is not enough time to practice a new map.
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) May 4, 2021
The announcement that Breeze would feature at VCT Masters Reykjavík also included news of a brand new map veto and selection process. This move was expected (and also necessary) with the introduction of a sixth map.
However, the new process will be taking a back seat due to the removal of Breeze. After reaching out for clarification, Riot has told The Loadout that Masters Reykjavík will be “using the same map veto/selection process from Masters 1.”