Paper Rex Roster Overhaul: A Strategic Analysis of Retaining f0rsakeN and something

A storm of discussion has erupted in the Valorant esports scene of the Pacific region. According to a recently published report by Vietnamese esports media, Paper Rex is planning a major roster overhaul for their 2027 season. Citing Sheep Esports, the report states that the team wants to build a new squad around their long-tenured star players Jason Susanto, also known as f0rsakeN, and Ilia Petrov, known as something. This decision is not just a simple player change but indicates a deep strategic reconsideration. Analysis of the report reveals that Paper Rex's performance in the 2026 season was bimodal—they reached two international grand finals but exited Champions Shanghai in 7th-8th place. After such a performance, the team management has clearly chosen a path of partial rebuild, retaining their star players while planning to rotate the supporting cast. In this report, we will analyze various aspects of Paper Rex's roster change. First, it is necessary to understand the background of Paper Rex's decision. In the 2026 season, the team finished third at VCT Pacific Kickoff and reached Masters Santiago. They then won Stage 1 and qualified as the number one seed for Masters London. However, their performance in Stage 2 was disappointing—they finished 5th-6th. But due to the generosity of the Pacific points system, they still qualified for Champions Shanghai. At Champions, they lost to LOUD in the upper bracket quarterfinal and were eliminated by T1 in the first round of the lower bracket. These results clearly show that the team has a high ceiling but also a low floor. Now the question is, why did Paper Rex choose the path of partial rebuild? The main reason may be their partner status. The team's partnership has been confirmed for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, meaning they have no relegation risk. This security allows them to plan over multiple years. But there is a flip side—since there is no existential crisis, the external pressure to start completely fresh is also low. This is likely why they chose the strategy of retaining star players and rotating supporting players. f0rsakeN has been with Paper Rex since 2026 and regularly participates in international tournaments. He is an extremely important member of the team. something joined the team in 2026 and quickly established himself as a key force. Retaining these two means Paper Rex wants to keep the core foundation of their aggressive playstyle. This style was the main reason for their success. But the question is, will this style be effective in the 2027 season? Valorant's meta is constantly changing. With new agents and map pool changes, playstyles also change. If Paper Rex's aggressive style fits the new meta, they will succeed. But if it doesn't, their rebuild could fail. Another important aspect is the coaching staff. The report is mainly focused on players. However, after losing two international grand finals, attention is usually directed toward coaching and blueprint preparation. Especially in international playoffs played under double elimination, deep map pools and adaptation ability are extremely important. If Paper Rex is lagging in this area, simply changing players will not solve the problem. Another notable aspect of the team's roster change is the future of d4v41 and Jinggg. According to the report, these two players are waiting for clearer information about the organization's personnel plans. This means decision-making authority sits above the players, likely with management or coaching staff. This type of sequential decision-making process has a real chemistry cost. If decisions about their future are made without consulting long-time teammates, it could affect internal team relations. Another player, invy, is also noteworthy. Their contract is reported to run until the end of 2027. This long-term contract ensures stability for the team on one hand but reduces flexibility on the other. If their performance does not meet expectations, the team's options for change become limited. Overall, Paper Rex's roster overhaul is a strategic decision. They want to keep their strengths and fix their weaknesses. However, the success of this strategy will depend on several factors. First, how quickly new players can adapt to the team's system. Second, how well the coaching staff can plan for the new meta. Third, what the internal team chemistry will be like. In Valorant's history, we have seen many teams succeed by retaining star players, while others have risen to the top through complete rebuilds. In Paper Rex's case, due to their partner status and existing star power, a partial rebuild seems reasonable. However, competition in the Pacific region is extremely fierce. Teams like Nongshim RedForce, T1, DRX, and Gen.G are continuously getting stronger. For Paper Rex to stay at the top, their rebuild must succeed. In conclusion, Paper Rex's roster change is not just a team decision but a strategic bet. They believe that their core strength and playing philosophy are correct, and only some adjustments are needed. Whether this bet succeeds will be determined by time. But one thing is certain—in the competitive landscape of Valorant, Paper Rex will always be an exciting team, and their every move will demand attention.