Benjyfishy Talks Heretics' 2026 Woes, VCT's Open Qualifier Chaos, and His Beloved Mouse

In the chaotic, ever-shifting universe of professional Valorant, where one day you're lifting a trophy and the next you're wondering if your monitor is cursed, Team Heretics' very own British sensation Benjy 'BENJYFISHY' Fish has been doing some serious reflecting. The 2026 season didn't exactly go according to plan for the former Fortnite champion and his squad, and he's not shy about admitting it. But with a massive VCT format overhaul looming in 2027, Benjy sees a silver lining—and it's not just the glow of his Logitech G Superlight 2.

The VCT Shake-Up: Open Qualifiers Bring Chaos (and Hope)

Starting in 2027, Riot Games is throwing open the gates. Before the annual kick-off event, Masters, and various cups, open qualifying tournaments will give aspiring teams a shot at the big leagues. Eight partner teams still get automatic invites, but four additional spots will be filled by open qualifiers. This means more upsets, more Cinderella stories, and more chances for unknown players to become overnight sensations.

Benjy is all for it. 'It will put more eyes on tier 2 and unknown players, which I think is always good,' he told Dexerto. 'It will cause a lot of upsets and unknown players getting to prove themselves.' In other words, prepare for your favorite partnered team to get embarrassed by a bunch of ranked grinders who just discovered the power of teamwork. It's the kind of unpredictability that fans have been craving, and honestly, who doesn't love a good underdog story?

Heretics' 2026: A Season of Highs, Lows, and Mental Gymnastics

Let's rewind to 2026. Team Heretics managed to snag the VCT EMEA stage one title, which was nice. But then they failed to defend their Esports World Cup crown, couldn't crack the top four in other tournaments, and missed out on Valorant Champions Shanghai entirely. For a team that won their first title in 2024 and the EWC trophy in 2025, that's a bit like showing up to a fancy dress party in your pajamas.

Benjy, being the honest chap he is, didn't sugarcoat it. 'Honestly, our performances this year were not up to our standard,' he said. 'Although we won EMEA, I was disappointed with how we played in London considering it was my home tournament.' Ah, the home turf curse—it's real, folks. He attributed the slump to a combination of factors, but one stood out: 'Our mental was not as strong this year as it was in the past.' So, while their aim was probably still crisp, their brains were apparently on a beach somewhere, sipping piña coladas. 🍹

Off-Season: Grinding, Wishing, and Not Fixing What Ain't Broke

With Heretics missing Champions Shanghai, the team gets an extended off-season. While some players might jet off to exotic locations or take up competitive knitting, Benjy is keeping it simple. '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 and I just need to work towards it.' That's the kind of dedication that made him a multi-esports star—first dominating Fortnite, then conquering Valorant.

He also has a few wishes for Riot's balance team. He'd 'be happy' if Sentinels got a buff, and he's hoping for a 'small' nerf to Neon. Here's a quick breakdown of his agent wishlist:

Agent	Benjy's Wish
Sentinels	Buff them, please!
Neon	A tiny nerf, nothing drastic

It's not a long list, but it's an honest one. Who knows if Riot will listen? Probably not, but a man can dream.

The Mouse That Never Betrays

Now, let's talk about the real star of Benjy's setup: his Logitech G Superlight 2. In a world where some pros change mice more often than they change their socks, Benjy is a beacon of loyalty. 'For me, the most important thing about a mouse is that I do not think about it while I'm playing and for it to be an extension of my hand,' he explained. 'It's very important for me to perform well; if I find a mouse uncomfortable, then it can distract me.'

He added, 'It's the mouse I'm the most comfortable on. For me, there are only positives to using it, and I don't like to change what works.' Honestly, that's a healthier relationship than most people have with their significant others. No wonder he's so consistent—his mouse is his soulmate. 🖱️

What's Next for Benjy and Heretics?

With the 2027 VCT changes on the horizon, Benjy is ready to embrace the chaos. The open qualifiers will bring fresh blood, and he sees it as an opportunity for growth—both for the scene and for himself. After a disappointing 2026, he's determined to hit that high ceiling he knows he's capable of. Will Heretics bounce back? Will Sentinels finally get that buff? Will Benjy ever cheat on his mouse? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: the Valorant esports landscape is about to get a whole lot more interesting, and Benjyfishy is here for it.