XSET

They win and get the 1 seed, but do they experience a LAN debuff (The Guard) as they receive a bye into playoffs?

I see where you're coming from in your predictions but I fundamentally disagree with you. XSET might have no LAN experience but in this new environment everyone is new. these people are competing in front of real people at the Forum Copenhagen this year. XSET might have no LAN experience but i believe that they have what it takes to take home the trophy. I've heard "XSHIT" and "Throwers" but they have proven themselves as an extremely consistent team. and now that that consistency is at the highest level they can compete with slower teams such as Guild and FNATIC. the explosive playstyle that XSET (along with other North American representatives) is unparalleled except maybe to that of APAC's representatives of Paper Rex and we'll see how well the methodical playstyles of EMEA and KR match with the explosive playstyles of other regions.

To summarise;

1. This is a new environment for every team, XSET have virtually no disadvantage in that regard.
2. The determining factor for this event will be the classic NA vs EMEA.
3. This is APAC's Event to win

Bro

Copenhagen might be warmup for champs

They won’t because they are an experienced team not like that he guard who were a team of rookies

tactical loss from optic we all know second seed is better in this situation

Xset won't experience a Lan Debuff of any sorts. The Guard is a group of young players only. Whereas in Xset you have Dephh who has played a lot of LANs in Cs. He definitely will help the guys adjust to LAN for sure. Just like how Boaster did for the Fnatic young guns.

i feel like optic doing this intentionally