X10 CRIT Patiphan Returns to Overwatch
It’s no secret that many former professional Overwatch players transitioned to Valorant once Riot Games announced their first-person shooter, but it’s not often that we see Valorant players switching over to Overwatch. In the case of the former X10 CRIT Duelist, Patiphan “Patiphan” Chaiwong, it’s the opposite.
This young player has decided to retire from Valorant, after a very successful run in Valorant Champions Tour, and return to Overwatch by joining the Los Angeles Gladiators. Even though he had a bright future in Valorant, Patiphan’s love for Overwatch prevailed in the end. His fans, although a bit perplexed, support him and can’t wait to see what he’ll do in the Overwatch League.
Devastating News for the SEA Fans
Valorant Champions 2021 was an esports tournament filled with surprises all the way until the end. X10 CRIT, who were one of the strongest squads that made it to the playoffs, played their hearts out and nearly made it to the semifinals.
During the tournament, Patiphan showed some exceptional Duelist skills on his Jett, and made sure his team always kept their offensive playstyle. The SEA fans were watching proudly as one of their favourites were battling it out with Gambit Esports in the quarterfinals, and nearly won.
Despite the loss, there were only words of praise left for the young SEA squad and their carry Jett. However, immediately after the match ended, Patiphan tweeted a message that stated:
That wrapped this year and also my last official match
This was the first clue that Patiphan would no longer be playing, but there was no official confirmation until now.
What Made Patiphan Choose Overwatch?
Patiphan’s decision to move to Overwatch was met with mixed reactions. Although everyone was supporting the young player’s decision, many were still left with unanswered questions. Why pick Overwatch in its decline when Valorant is doing so well right now?
There could be many reasons for Patiphan’s decision to switch to Overwatch. The first one is definitely his attachment to the game. He began his career as a rising star in the Overwatch SEA region but he couldn’t compete in the Overwatch League as he had to be at least 18 years old.
Now this puts things into perspective and shows why he’d just up and leave Valorant all of a sudden. He’s 18 now, which means he’s fully qualified to compete in the Overwatch League. Neither him nor the Los Angeles Gladiators wanted to waste any time, so they struck a deal right away.
Another factor that could have influenced his decision could be the extra security that comes with competing in the Overwatch League. Overwatch League boasts some pretty great prize pools and the team contracts might be more robust. Valorant esports is still finding its place and the teams are constantly changing. There’s always the risk of getting benched after a single bad match.
In this case, the Overwatch League must have seemed like a safer bet for Patiphan.
