Team Heretics has transformed a statistic into a defining statement. By completing three consecutive group stages in VCT EMEA (2024 Stage 2 and both 2025 Stages), without losing a single match and going 477 days without defeat, the team has set itself apart in recent VALORANT history. This record not only speaks to their consistency, but also to their ingrained identity, daily discipline, and approach to major events, which is characterized by a composure that has become their hallmark.

In the group stage, Heretics consistently seized control of the tempo. Clean entries, measured defaults, and clear mid-round calling under Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius's leadership formed the backbone of a collective structure that overwhelmed most opponents. Maps unfolded with an air of methodical control, driven by a pair of entry fraggers who could win the opening duels and anchor the defense at crucial moments. Match after match, the Spanish side appeared better prepared, more disciplined, and more consistent than any of their contemporaries.

However, this dominance long carried its own paradox. When a team exerts such authority in the early stages, even the slightest mistake in the playoffs can be mentally taxing. Heretics were all too familiar with this reality, playoff exits where their level of play dipped, where primary strategies lost their effectiveness too quickly, and where the finals remained just out of reach. This overwhelming contrast in the groups, yet falling short when it mattered most, nurtured the narrative of a spectacular yet "cursed" team, trapped beneath an unbroken ceiling.

Team Heretics break the curse in an international event

This narrative unravelled at the Esports World Cup. By triumphing in Riyadh and securing their first international title, Heretics put an end to months of doubt and unfulfilled potential. This victory was about more than just winning a trophy; it validated their tactical evolution, their ability to adapt to their opponents' strategies, and the growing influence of their in-game leaders. Whereas the team had previously faltered under pressure, this time they held their ground, embraced challenging maps and maintained their rhythm until the end. The supposed curse was broken at the most visible moment of the season, and this was no coincidence.

Since then, the group stage invincibility record has taken on a different meaning. It is no longer a stand-alone statistic, but rather the prologue to a winning chapter. Heretics has found the balance between consistency and peak performance, preparation and instinct. The team is no longer just a points machine; it is now capable of translating structural dominance into titles and turning regularity into legacy. In an increasingly competitive circuit, the assertion remains exactly as it appeared in the team's own visual: the first to ever do it. Now, this achievement is etched into their record forever.