Lynn Vision forfeit PGL Astana qualifier to expose fatal VRS flaw

Chinese CS2 team Lynn Vision has forfeit an international opportunity at the PGL Astana Chinese closed qualifier in favor of helping their region secure a second spot at the Austin Major via the VRS system.

Lynn Vision pointed out that, should they have won their upper bracket match against Rare Atom, they'd be taking points away from their fellow Chinese squad — thus potentially denying the Chinese region of the bonus spot via the MRQ. The organization called the situation "interesting," but pointed out the flaw and that it could be abused for the minor region going forward.

Lynn Vision withdrew from the PGL Astana qualifier on March 30 but made a lengthy post on X/Twitter the day prior, explaining the flaw in the VRS system and that their actions were for the greater good of the region.

Apart from The MongolZ (who have earned a spot at the Austin Major already), four other teams will represent Asia at the pinnacle event. These spots have been divided between the three Asian sub-regions — China, Middle East & West Asia, and Oceania & Southeast Asia.

The next highest-ranked Asian team after The MongolZ will earn a second slot at the major for their sub-region, while the other regions will have to settle for sending one team to Austin. At this time, Rare Atom is second, and thus China will earn the second MRQ slot.

But after Mongolian tournament organizer MESA and Australian counterpart DFRAG held inter-regional VRS LANs, teams in the other sub-regions have shot up the rankings and threaten Rare Atom at the top. This left Lynn Vision facing a conundrum; qualification at the PGL Astana qualifier against Rare Atom would strip them of their VRS points, opening up another sub-region claiming the second MRQ slot.

"The VRS standing isn't representing the thing it [was] designed for. Teams are farming points [and] climbing the ranks by playing events that most of the other regions' teams [are] not able to," the statement said.

"Tomorrow we will face [Rare Atom]. If we win, China will only get one major slot, but if we lose it will be seen as match fixing. What shall we do? Doesn't anyone know that most Asian teams' lives relied [sic] on major sticker income?"

The following day, Lynn Vision forfeited their Astana qualifier against Rare Atom. They've dropped to the lower bracket, where if they proceed to the final, will likely forfeit again.

CS2 pro analyst Sudhen "Bleh" Wahengbam agrees that Lynn Vision's hands were tied. "This was a lose-lose scenario for LV and I can't really blame them for forfeiting the game. Win, and lose the Chinese spot, or lose and get accused of throwing."

Australian commentator Jordan "Elfishguy" Mays didn't see the system abuse, but admitted there was potential for it now that it had been pointed out. He hopes events in the region encompass every sub-region. "Everyone will see if from their own biased/country perspective, but at the end of the day APAC is all one region fighting for recognition together and I think we should try to band together to support that."

The PGL Astana qualifiers wrap this weekend with the top teams from each region playing a final qualifier to lock in spots at the Kazakhstani tournament. That final qualifier will determine the Asia MRQ rankings — and decide which sub-region wins the bonus slot in Austin.

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