Boaster went full “monster mode” in Fnatic’s 2-0 over RRQ at Champions 2025, dropping 36 kills, 52% headshots, and plenty of banter for the haters.
Jake "Boaster" Howlett lit up VALORANT Champions 2025 with a monster during Fnatic's emphatic 2-0 opening win against RRQ in Paris. The Fnatic IGL gave a message to the naysayers in the official post-match press conference.
Fnatic came to VALORANT Champions off the back of an underwhelming VCT EMEA Stage 2 performance, finishing 5th-6th. However, Boaster said Stage 2 was all about preparing for Champions. Earlier in the summer, Fnatic placed 2nd at VALORANT Masters Toronto as well as the Esports World Cup.
Boaster: "All the people who throw hate my way, it doesn't matter"
Speaking to media, Boaster was asked if he had any message for those who had questioned his ability during Stage 2 when it came to his individual stats.
"Losers focus on winners, and winners focus on winning and that's what I'll be doing. All the people who throw hate my way, it doesn't matter," said Boaster.
"The only opinions I care about are the people close to me. If my boys say they find impact with me as an IGL and the support staff then I believe that's worth more than any opinions of anyone.
"If I have a good game, I have a good game, but ultimately job is to be the best leader in the world and the best leader out there. So I'll strive to be the best leader I can be.
"It just so happened that this leader was also shooting today (laughs), 50% headshots someone said actually. All the haters out there watch out, I'll be coming for your head next."
According to stats from VALORANT Champions 2025, Boaster averaged a 52% headshot rate in their 2-0 win over Rex Regum Qeon. Despite playing Controller on both maps, Omen and Astra, Boaster still racked up 36 kills across Ascent and Abyss. The Fnatic IGL was so on form he even stood up to dance while comically saying "oh sh*t, I'm turning into a monster". Classic Boaster.
Boaster says Fnatic are "looking juicy" at VALORANT Champions
Boaster and Fnatic's stellar performance in the opening game is a welcome return to form. 2024 was a turbulent year for the team, excelling in EMEA but struggling in the playoffs stages of the international offline events.
"2024 was a rough year in terms of my overall mental well being. A lot of pressure, a lot of debriefs after practise where we would talk about wanting more. Whereas this year, if stuff isn't going as well it's a bit more relaxed," said Boaster in the post-match press conference.
"Stage 2 for example, we didn't look in hot form, but Stage 2 for me I just wanted to qualify for Champions and get us much practise as I can for it."
"The difference in our energy and our aura on stage compared to Stage 2 and Champs Day 1 today, we can tell we're a different team, different gravy, we're scaling. We're a Yasuo with 4-0 right now and we're looking juicy."
Fnatic now face MIBR in Group B at VALORANT Champions 2025, who like them impressed in their opening match against China's number #1 seed BLG.
Boaster's strategic mind will be put to the test against MIBR's IGL Andrew "Verno" Maust, who now has complete autonomy when it comes to in-game decisions. A win for either team would put them top of Group B and qualify them for the VALORANT Champions playoffs.
