VCT EMEA: chloric and hiro Set to Join Team Heretics for 2027 Season

Team Heretics' Major Rebuild

Team Heretics is preparing for a substantial roster overhaul for the upcoming 2027 VCT EMEA season. According to reports from Sheep Esports, American player Caide 'chloric' Heaton has reached a verbal agreement with the team. chloric, who joined NAVI before Stage 1 of the 2026 VCT EMEA, will see his contract expire at the end of the year, making him a top target for Heretics as they look to rebuild.

In addition to chloric, hiro is also anticipated to join Team Heretics after two seasons with NAVI. The duo's familiarity with each other could provide a strong foundation for the team's new direction, following a disappointing 2026 season that ended without a Champions qualification.

While Heretics is not starting entirely from scratch, as player benjyfishy is expected to remain and RieNs has reportedly agreed to extend his contract until 2028, the roster is beginning to take shape. With chloric and hiro on board, Heretics already has four players secured for their future lineup, though they will be limited in their ability to recruit additional imports under the new VCT EMEA regulations.

This restructuring comes after a mixed season where Heretics won the VCT EMEA Stage 1 but failed to reach the playoffs in Stage 2, ultimately falling to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Play-In. The team's Championship Points total was not sufficient to secure a place in the 2026 Champions.

The stakes will be higher in 2027, as the VCT EMEA will feature only eight partnered teams, with the remaining four spots decided through open qualifiers across Europe, Turkey, and the MENA region. This shift underlines the urgency for Heretics to assemble a competitive roster quickly. With chloric as the new in-game leader and hiro alongside him, the future of Team Heretics is starting to take form, leaving only the identity of the fifth player to be determined as they aim to bounce back after this season's setback.