Valorant’s New Era: BENJYFISHY Reflects on Heretics’ 2026 Struggles and the Promise of the 2027 Circuit

The landscape of professional Valorant is on the precipice of a radical transformation. As the 2026 competitive calendar draws to a close, Riot Games has unveiled a structural overhaul for the 2027 VCT season that promises to dismantle the exclusivity of the partnership model. At the heart of this discussion is Benjy “BENJYFISHY” Fish, the Team Heretics star who has evolved from a Fortnite prodigy into one of the most recognizable faces in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT).

In an exclusive conversation with Dexerto, BENJYFISHY dissected the complexities of a difficult 2026 campaign for Team Heretics and shared his candid thoughts on how the upcoming open qualification system will redefine the competitive ecosystem, potentially ushering in a golden age for tier-two talent.

The Winds of Change: A New Structure for 2027

For several years, the VCT has operated under a closed partnership model, a system that provided stability for organizations but often drew criticism for creating a barrier to entry for rising stars. That is set to change in 2027. The upcoming circuit will introduce open qualifying tournaments ahead of the annual kick-off events, as well as throughout the Masters and regional cup cycles.

Under the new regulations, while eight partner teams will retain their automatic slots, they will be joined by four teams emerging from these rigorous open qualifiers. This shift is designed to inject unpredictability into the professional scene, ensuring that the highest levels of play remain meritocratic.

"It will put more eyes on tier-two and unknown players, which I think is always good," BENJYFISHY explained. "The previous structure was safe, but there’s a certain thrill and necessity to having fresh blood. This format is going to cause a lot of upsets, and more importantly, it gives those unknown players a legitimate stage to prove themselves against the titans of the industry."

Reflecting on a Tumultuous 2026 Season

For BENJYFISHY and Team Heretics, 2026 was a year defined by the stark contrast between early success and mid-season stagnation. As a former Fortnite world-class competitor, Benjy transitioned to Valorant with the weight of expectation on his shoulders. He largely delivered, helping Team Heretics secure their inaugural title in 2024 and adding an Esports World Cup (EWC) trophy to the cabinet in 2025.

However, the 2026 season proved to be a reality check. While the team started strong—claiming the VCT EMEA Stage One crown—they were unable to maintain that momentum. The failure to defend their EWC title, coupled with a series of underwhelming finishes in subsequent tournaments, left fans and analysts questioning the squad’s longevity.

"Honestly, our performances this year were not up to our standard," Benjy admitted. "Winning EMEA was a highlight, but I was deeply disappointed with how we performed in London. That was my home tournament, and to fall short there was particularly difficult."

When pressed on the underlying causes of the team’s decline, Benjy noted that there was no singular "smoking gun." Instead, it was a confluence of internal factors. "It wasn’t just one problem that made us perform badly. If I had to pinpoint it, I’d say our collective mental fortitude wasn’t as strong this year as it has been in the past. In this game, if your mental isn’t 100%, the mechanics and strategy start to fray."

The Off-Season Grind: Finding the "Ceiling"

With Team Heretics failing to qualify for Valorant Champions Shanghai, the team has been granted an extended off-season—a period Benjy views as an essential reset. Rather than focusing on external roster changes or drastic tactical pivots, he is turning his attention inward.

"I think for me, I just want to focus on grinding the game and being confident in my ability," he said. "I know how high of a ceiling I can hit. I’ve seen it, I’ve felt it, and I’ve executed it in previous seasons. My goal now is to reach that level consistently, rather than in bursts. It’s about recalibrating my approach to the game."

Beyond his personal growth, Benjy is keeping a close eye on the Valorant meta-game. As a player who relies heavily on precision and agent utility, he has strong opinions on the current state of character balancing. "I’d be happy if Riot decided to buff the current group of Sentinels," he noted. "I think there’s room for them to be more impactful. Conversely, I think we’re seeing a bit too much from Neon. I’m hoping to see a small nerf to her kit at some point to bring the Duelist balance back into a healthier place."

The "Extension of the Hand": Gear and Consistency

In the high-stakes environment of professional Valorant, where a millisecond of reaction time is the difference between a championship and a group-stage exit, professional players are notoriously particular about their hardware. For BENJYFISHY, equipment is not just a tool; it is a fundamental component of his psyche.

Currently, he remains committed to the Logitech G Superlight 2, a piece of hardware he views as indispensable. "For me, the most important thing about a mouse is that I do not think about it while I’m playing," he explained. "It has to be an extension of my hand. If I’m conscious of the weight, the shape, or the sensor, that’s a distraction. When you’re in a high-pressure clutch situation, you can’t afford to be distracted."

Benjy’s refusal to overhaul his setup despite a disappointing season highlights his commitment to consistency. "It’s the mouse I’m the most comfortable on. There are only positives to using it, and I don’t like to change what works. When you hit a slump, the temptation is always to change everything—your mouse, your sensitivity, your crosshair. But true growth comes from fixing the internal issues, not the external variables."

Implications for the Future of VCT

The shift toward a more open qualification system in 2027 is not just a regulatory change; it is a cultural one. By allowing four non-partner teams to enter the fray, Riot Games is acknowledging that the "closed shop" model may have inadvertently stifled the growth of new stars.

For veteran players like BENJYFISHY, this creates a new kind of pressure. The "unknown" players he referenced are no longer just practicing in the shadows of the tier-two scene; they will be standing across from him on the main stage, fighting for the same prize money and prestige.

"It’s going to be a completely different ballgame," Benjy observed. "You’re going to have teams that you haven’t scouted, players with styles you aren’t used to, and hunger that comes from having everything to prove. It’s exactly what the scene needs to prevent stagnation."

Conclusion: The Path Ahead

As 2026 fades into the rearview mirror, the narrative for BENJYFISHY is one of redemption and evolution. He has tasted the highest highs of esports, and he has endured the frustration of underperformance. Yet, his resolve remains unshaken.

By leaning into the upcoming structural changes of the VCT, focusing on his own mental conditioning, and maintaining the consistency of his equipment, Benjy is preparing to reclaim his position at the pinnacle of Valorant. Whether he succeeds will depend on his ability to adapt to the new, more volatile landscape of the 2027 circuit. One thing is certain: the eyes of the Valorant world will be fixed firmly on Team Heretics to see if they can rise to the challenge of this new, more competitive era.