Forget duelist mains: This VCT IGL’s game sense and aim have left VALORANT fans in awe

As strong as they are with strategies and managing teammates, IGLs are usually mechanically weaker than the rest of their team in every esports title. But that’s not how nAts of Team Liquid plays VALORANT.

The 23-year-old Russian has primarily been a sentinel main, with occasional controller picks, ever since VALORANT esports began in 2021. However, he shifted course in the middle of the VCT 2024 season, taking on the IGL role for the first time in his career after Enzo moved to an inactive position in Team Liquid.

Of course, fans weren’t very sure about this move at first, thinking it’d limit the incredible flanking tricks nAts had up his sleeves. Not to mention, his fragging power—which had kept Team Liquid’s opponents humbled for years—was also expected to take a hit, as is often the case for players who transition into the role of team captain.

Moreover, an IGL on a sentinel role is unconventional too. In VALORANT, IGLs are most often seen on initiators, since the role naturally provides intel that makes calling easier. Interestingly, nAts also mains Viper—a controller on paper, but is mostly played as a pseudo-sentinel in the esports meta.

While he did have a rough start—understandable given the mid-season switch—nAts eventually overcame the odds, steadily growing into one of the best VALORANT IGLs we’ve seen in a while. Under his relaxed yet effective style—blending macro and micromanagement in near-perfect balance—Team Liquid has visibly flourished, delivering consistent performances throughout the VCT 2025 season.

Alongside strong results in both Stage One and Two (ongoing at the time of writing) of the regional league, Liquid has qualified for both international Masters events this year and secured a spot at VALORANT Champions as EMEA’s second seed.

But what about his aim game? Traditionally, IGLs aren’t expected to excel in gunfights while also shouldering the responsibility of building and executing strategies for the team. Yet contrary to expectations, nAts has managed to retain his mechanical sharpness and brilliant flank control and execution skills. This is largely thanks to his balanced leadership style, with an emphasis on macro calling that allows him to stay focused on his own role as a player.

NAts’ ability to balance leadership duties with his independent sentinel responsibilities is what makes him such a rare and formidable VALORANT captain in today’s competition. With his unexpected achievements so far, many fans are regarding him as one of the best players, if not the best, we’ve witnessed this VCT season. And he’s done it without being a duelist main racking up flashy kill counts.

Of course, Team Liquid’s roster and support staff played a major role as well. With versatile players like Keiko and paTiTek alongside him, and kamo and trexx spreading their aggressive magic on the battlefield, nAts has one of the most promising and attentive lineups to work with. Head coach LohaN’s guidance also played a key part in shaping nAts into the successful captain he is today.

NAts will be back on stage at the ongoing VCT EMEA Stage Two playoffs, where Team Liquid faces BBL Esports in the upper bracket final on Aug. 29 for a slot in the grand final.