VALORANT: Smurfette Benched and Toki Joins GIANTX GC ahead of VCT GC EMEA Stage 3

After parting ways with their In-Game Leader Iman "Nami" Nagaaoui and bringing in Sara "Sucette" Özden, GIANTX have announced yet another roster change. This time, the team is targeting its Duelist role, with Yağmur "Smurfette" Gündüz moving to the bench to make room for Maria "Toki" Perez in the VALORANT Champions Tour Game Changers (VCT GC) EMEA lineup.

Losing their IGL and one of their key players in Nami before Stage 3 was already considered a gamble, but GIANTX have doubled down with the bench of Smurfette. With the Game Changers Championship fast approaching, rebuilding team synergy will be crucial if the Spanish-British organization hopes to secure qualification.

Smurfette, who joined GIANTX during Stage 3 of 2024, has been placed on the inactive roster. The 27-year-old duelist will be replaced by Toki, who arrives from DVM Miss. With her former squad, Toki earned qualification to VCT GC EMEA through the open qualifier—a path also taken by her new teammate Sucette with Twisted Minds Orchid before joining.

Stage 2 proved more difficult for Toki, as she and DVM Miss finished in 8th place, but she brings a wealth of experience to GIANTX. Active in the Game Changers scene since 2021, she also competed in the 2024 Game Changers Championship with Falcons Vega, becoming the first Spanish player to qualify for the event.

But once again, GIANTX are taking a gamble. While Toki was a really strong duelists in the scene—particularly during her time with Falcons—she hasn’t played that role competitively in over a year, having shifted to Smoker in recent Splits.

Despite the risks, GIANTX are crystal clear about their ambitions: victory at last. After two close 2–3 losses to Karmine Corp in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 finals, the team is aiming to lift the Stage 3 trophy and to secure their ticket to the GC Championship.

In an official statement, the organization stressed that these changes were not impulsive but carefully considered during the break between Stage 2 and Stage 3. GIANTX explained that if the right opportunities arose, roster adjustments would be made—and they believe both Sucette and Toki represent exactly that.