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Teams that will surprise in split 1

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#1
Hyopic

EMEA:
Vitality is definitely going to make playoffs, especially now that they have Trexx, their talent pool and ability to brawl especially in a meta which has leaned towards larger, messier team fights. I would be surprised if they looked bad.

KOI made a pretty good run for a team that was newly formed before the league started, I wouldn't be surprised if they make a deep run during split 1, the only issue is whether or not Starxo's IGLing can hold up.

FUT are currently being slept on right now because they got grouped in kickoff, but keep in mind they lost to a red-hot Team Heretics and a developed Karmine Corp, I would not be surprised if they make Shanghai over the likes of FNATIC and NAVI.

GiantX looked super solid during kickoff, they just happened to have the most stacked group of the tournament; redgar has always been a solid IGL, definitely less so since he has been comming in English, however I think that GiantX's established core can definitely do some damage during the season.

Americas:
100T are probably one of the bigger heavy hitters that people know, I just think they're going to make a deep run and to be honest, depending on how well NRG, LEV, and LOUD play, they may upset and make Shanghai

KRU have always been a good team and honestly I do not think that will change, Keznit is insane as always and the rest of the core is capable of keeping up, I doubt they will be winless throughout the year.

MIBr has been slept on a lot in kickoff, but they're clearly much better than Cloud9 and FURIA, which places them cleanly within the middle of the region. Beating G2, I think, separates them from the rest. Will they be able to play against the larger names like LEV, NRG, SEN, and LOUD? Probably not, but I think that fr0d will provide a strong coaching figure within this team and place them in the upper half of teams.

EG has shown very good antistratting and innovation within their map pool, I just would not be surprised if Potter is capable of creating her next championship level team.

Pacific:

Talon had a very strong showing at the beginning of kickoff, but dwindled towards the end, losing to a Team Secret that they had brutalized beforehand. With the extra time they have had during Madrid, I think they're capable of doing serious damage, as they were able to play well enough against DRX.

ZETA's managing has created something good with the team they currently have, I think that with the talent development of Carlao and the leadership of Laz, they will be able to make a deep run this split. If their rookies can keep up, I think they could even place above teams like T1 and DRX.

DRX is a name that a lot of people wouldn't think of for a surprise team, but the showing that they had in kickoff wasn't exactly the most prolific. A lot of people are sleeping on them as a roster, but taking in 2 rookies doesn't change that they have Stax, Buzz, and Mako; players that have proven themselves as the echelon of Korean VALORANT. Their rookies will allow them to play in a scrappier way than previously; the only issue now is whether or not Termi can coach within the best interest of the team, or regress the talent they have to being too structured for their own good.

RRQ have jemkin and estrella.

I wanted to make a funner thread just because I think it's interesting how good a lot of the teams now that aren't attending internationals are. I really only named 4 teams per region, but with how the talent development of each region is going, and how well everyone is playing, I would not be surprised if a lot of new faces start dominating the scene; something that can only help it.

#2
frosty34
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bro just named the teams ranked 5-8 in Americas and EMEA and said they will all come out and shock us

Plus pacific no one is sleeping on DRX just from kickoff they are obviously expected to at least make playoffs in pacific and are probably ranked 3rd/4th in their group

#3
MeloSquids
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What about Team Secret? they almost made geng not qualify for playoffs 13-15 OT

#4
kingbass
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GE is winning against ZETA keep yappin

#5
Darkhunter
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kingbass [#4]

GE is winning against ZETA keep yappin

how much deep did you take puhindra' dick to dick ride him in all vlr threads lmaooooo

#6
dream01
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you forgot about T1 tho

#7
Hyopic
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MeloSquids [#3]

What about Team Secret? they almost made geng not qualify for playoffs 13-15 OT

You’re right, honestly I completely forgot about them lol, probably because they’re always expected to do good.

#8
Hyopic
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dream01 [#6]

you forgot about T1 tho

T1 is easily a top 3 team in pacific imo so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they performed well

#9
bronzil_enjoyer
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Darkhunter [#5]

how much deep did you take puhindra' dick to dick ride him in all vlr threads lmaooooo

💀

#10
0fcuZ
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Talon ain't surprising nobody, they had a fluke start. Team secret will dominate along with rrq.

#11
vollizie
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I personally don't see 100T making it far with Asuna on the team

#12
0fcuZ
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vollizie [#11]

I personally don't see 100T making it far with Asuna on the team

Asuna still on the team is actually inspiring for me, since our coms are very similar.

#13
Hyopic
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frosty34 [#2]

bro just named the teams ranked 5-8 in Americas and EMEA and said they will all come out and shock us

Plus pacific no one is sleeping on DRX just from kickoff they are obviously expected to at least make playoffs in pacific and are probably ranked 3rd/4th in their group

I mean yeah, I named 4 teams I thought would do good. Teams like 100T and GiantX went winless within their groups but I have trust in them to do well, I don’t necessarily disagree that they will all be mid-level teams but I think these are the teams most likely to upset the top level teams.

People are most definitely sleeping on DRX, especially if you’re ranking them 3/4 in a group with PRX TALON DFM RRQ and ZETA. Honestly I could see them fighting with PRX for number 1 if their rookies are as good as their players say they are (Mako had a whole thing with flashback saying that he was more mechanically skilled than his entire team which is interesting, especially since he’s basically one of the only dedicated sentinel players in pacific)

#14
Hyopic
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vollizie [#11]

I personally don't see 100T making it far with Asuna on the team

Boostio, Cryo, and Eeiu looked super solid, and bang wasn’t far behind. I agree though that Asuna is most likely their win condition (if he fails to meet expectations it will be more clearly on him than the rest of the team)

#15
love_trial
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DRX are gonna be insane as the year goes on, they nearly qualified for Madrid with two rookies that both roleswapped. Flashback is a Karon-level player and will shock the world similarly

#16
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0fcuZ [#10]

Talon ain't surprising nobody, they had a fluke start. Team secret will dominate along with rrq.

I think they’re the most likely to have weird comps and more interesting game plans, which is saying something esp when they’re playing in pacific, a region known for weird shit. I could definitely see TS and RRQ just wreaking havoc though, and honestly RRQ has a really good shot of making shanghai imo.

#17
Hyopic
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kingbass [#4]

GE is winning against ZETA keep yappin

I think GE could have been good, had they kept 1 of the two incredible duelist players they had on their team and honestly I think there is better duelist talent in pacific and hell, even in India that are better than polvi as of now. I think GE are going to be relying on the good performances from Blazek1ng and Benkai whereas the rest of the team doesn’t exactly have the firepower or individual skill to really compete with the rest of pacific. Lightningfast also needs to show better individual play for split 1, as he did not have the most impressive showing during kickoff.

#18
Hyopic
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love_trial [#15]

DRX are gonna be insane as the year goes on, they nearly qualified for Madrid with two rookies that both roleswapped. Flashback is a Karon-level player and will shock the world similarly

I agree, not sure about the flashback comment, as Karon is looking to be the best controller in the world (he probably is right now), but I could definitely see them placing deep in each split and even in internationals. It really is up to Termi to lead them to those victories, though.

#19
kingbass
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Hyopic [#17]

I think GE could have been good, had they kept 1 of the two incredible duelist players they had on their team and honestly I think there is better duelist talent in pacific and hell, even in India that are better than polvi as of now. I think GE are going to be relying on the good performances from Blazek1ng and Benkai whereas the rest of the team doesn’t exactly have the firepower or individual skill to really compete with the rest of pacific. Lightningfast also needs to show better individual play for split 1, as he did not have the most impressive showing during kickoff.

Polvi is good duelist imo just not upto his potential yet.... He will get better further on

Though I agree that Benkai, Blazeking need to pop off to win
For LF also I think the team has managed that he doesn't take fights alone and is doing fine as a controller

#20
Hyopic
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kingbass [#19]

Polvi is good duelist imo just not upto his potential yet.... He will get better further on

Though I agree that Benkai, Blazeking need to pop off to win
For LF also I think the team has managed that he doesn't take fights alone and is doing fine as a controller

Polvi is fine, I just think someone more explosive and someone that makes more plays would fit the roster better.
The only Indian talent that I could see filling that niche would be DEATHMAKER from True Rippers, but if they have a need to go international (which really I think GE should get a group of rookies and 2 veterans along with a veteran coach like how KC has structured their team in order to enhance the Indian VAL scene), a player like Vera from the MYSG scene, a thai player like GarnetS or Kadoom, or even like Gin who has been consistently good for Fancy United would be better in my opinion. Just not really a fan of how they structured the roster, especially with the potential of the last roster they had.

LF is fine, and I am not too knowledgeable on Indian smokes players but I am sure there are better options tbh.

#21
sm42
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dream01 [#6]

you forgot about T1 tho

T1 being good wouldn't be a supprise

#22
OkOkay
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I dont think Mibr, Kru, or EG have a chance for any qualification tbh. Especially with now that the games are gonna be focuses on consistency rather than prep/anti stratting in the league matches. They just have weaker individuals.

#23
Hyopic
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OkOkay [#22]

I dont think Mibr, Kru, or EG have a chance for any qualification tbh. Especially with now that the games are gonna be focuses on consistency rather than prep/anti stratting in the league matches. They just have weaker individuals.

I agree, I just think they have good upset potential, to be honest though I would watch out with EG, they have some shooters and Potter has cooked with weaker individuals before too

#24
cioccolat
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I hope MiBr somehow proves me wrong and manages to qualify for Shanghai. I don't need them to win, I just think them making out of groups would be cool

#25
Hyopic
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cioccolat [#24]

I hope MiBr somehow proves me wrong and manages to qualify for Shanghai. I don't need them to win, I just think them making out of groups would be cool

they're looking good imo, if they keep the improvement up I'd say they look close to EG

#26
gdamana
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me when i name every potential option then be like i told you so when one of them is magically correct

#27
Hyopic
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gdamana [#26]

me when i name every potential option then be like i told you so when one of them is magically correct

never done that and wasn't planning on it; I only named 4 teams per region lmao

Just wanted to make a fun thread, not that big of a deal

#28
kingbass
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Hyopic [#20]

Polvi is fine, I just think someone more explosive and someone that makes more plays would fit the roster better.
The only Indian talent that I could see filling that niche would be DEATHMAKER from True Rippers, but if they have a need to go international (which really I think GE should get a group of rookies and 2 veterans along with a veteran coach like how KC has structured their team in order to enhance the Indian VAL scene), a player like Vera from the MYSG scene, a thai player like GarnetS or Kadoom, or even like Gin who has been consistently good for Fancy United would be better in my opinion. Just not really a fan of how they structured the roster, especially with the potential of the last roster they had.

LF is fine, and I am not too knowledgeable on Indian smokes players but I am sure there are better options tbh.

Nah not deathmaker
Never been consistent

For other players I have no idea never followed APAC T2

For LF, there are better options ofc like techno from true rippers exceptional controller
But I think they gave LF that role because he was a 6th last year doing nothing so deserved a chance

#29
Hyopic
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kingbass [#28]

Nah not deathmaker
Never been consistent

For other players I have no idea never followed APAC T2

For LF, there are better options ofc like techno from true rippers exceptional controller
But I think they gave LF that role because he was a 6th last year doing nothing so deserved a chance

Mb with the deathmaker glaze, the games I’ve seen with him he looked pretty good. Maybe coaching would help with that?

That’s fair, but GE is going to be stuck in a cycle of making international teams over and over again hoping it works and it just isn’t tbh. They need to stick with something and make minor changes this year.

#30
kingbass
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Hyopic [#29]

Mb with the deathmaker glaze, the games I’ve seen with him he looked pretty good. Maybe coaching would help with that?

That’s fair, but GE is going to be stuck in a cycle of making international teams over and over again hoping it works and it just isn’t tbh. They need to stick with something and make minor changes this year.

I guess they are going to stick with this roster if they place top 6 as said by owner

Tough tbh but they got the potential to be top 6 at least
Just need to watch if they actually improved this month or else GG

#31
absolutelymassiveJ
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finally someone not underestimating 100t. give them time (and get asuna to stop screaming his vocal chords out) and they'll go on a really solid run

#32
Hyopic
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kingbass [#30]

I guess they are going to stick with this roster if they place top 6 as said by owner

Tough tbh but they got the potential to be top 6 at least
Just need to watch if they actually improved this month or else GG

they're definitely better than DFM and probably BLEED (unless zest magically makes BLEED a good team), their competition is ZETA, TS, Talon, and RRQ, who they have come up short against previously

I trust they can at least put up a good showing

#33
kingbass
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Hyopic [#32]

they're definitely better than DFM and probably BLEED (unless zest magically makes BLEED a good team), their competition is ZETA, TS, Talon, and RRQ, who they have come up short against previously

I trust they can at least put up a good showing

True af

#34
Zellsis_in_my_Throat
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can we get a shoutout to sen city for this one too. i think sentinels suprise everone by continuing their dominant streak! Zellsis will prove to be the goat and MVP of the season. /remindme 8 weeks from now

#35
Granite
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Hyopic [#7]

You’re right, honestly I completely forgot about them lol, probably because they’re always expected to do good.

them they choke hard and we fans cry... still have a lot of hopium in the tank!!

#36
Hyopic
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Zellsis_in_my_Throat [#34]

can we get a shoutout to sen city for this one too. i think sentinels suprise everone by continuing their dominant streak! Zellsis will prove to be the goat and MVP of the season. /remindme 8 weeks from now

Zellsis becomes the first person to win 30 majors in a row (sentinels fired the rest of the roster, zellsis 1v5s)

#37
Zellsis_in_my_Throat
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Hyopic [#36]

Zellsis becomes the first person to win 30 majors in a row (sentinels fired the rest of the roster, zellsis 1v5s)

Honestly you might be on to something. A decade or two from now it’s just gonna be Tarik and Zellsis.

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