Just as you cannot out pizza the hut, you cannot globally warm in a sustainable manner. Perhaps the polar bears should just deal with it and try to force their ways into weaker CN teams.

No!

You're right, I'm not and I don't plan on being one. Honestly just a huge Viva glazer too.

Global warming is indeed on the uprise, but perhaps the polar bears should then look to push for Tier 1 in Pacific rather than an already established league.

No, I am quite, in fact, not "nuts". I simply believe that nobody could be improved upon with someone who can both call, and shoot. However, I do agree that breaking up the nobody + Zmjjkk duo is unwise and may be bad for team dynamics. I simply believe that IF there is a change to be made in the team, it would either be Smoggy (With Chichoo moving to full-time smokes), and the signing of one of happywei or GuanG, or nobody, their IGL.

I don't think there is a better support player in China.

happywei --> smokes/second senti
I chose happywei on smokes with a potential secondary role of sentinel in cases of double sentinel. happywei is a strong site anchor who currently employs his trade at Xi Lai Gaming, who recently won ascension. Although primarily known for his Cypher, happywei has been playing a lot of Omen throughout kickoff, and looks extremely promising while doing so. His crisp aim and intelligent playstyle merits a spot on my team as the primary smoker.
GuanG --> sentinel
GuanG is insane. Definite S-tier player in the CN region. Can play Vyse, who is extremely strong in the meta right now, but also isn't afraid of shying away from agents like Cypher, as well as duelists. His aim is insane, and he can anchor like an absolute god, thus slotting into my team as the primary sentinel. GuanG will be expected to site hold 1v5s.
whzy --> duelist
As ardiis once said, "he's a really good duelist". The rest is history, need I say more?
Viva --> scan initiator/second duelist/controller
The GOAT. Unfortunately, slightly misused by XLG and is current getting used to Omen and Cypher after being signed by Xi Lai Gaming in the offseason. However, I say we put him where he belongs, which is Sova. Moreover, we can also consider inserting him onto Tejo. Besides that, he can also play a very solid Viper, a decently strong Skye, and a meh Omen/Cypher if desperately needed. Will also be IGLing the team.
Knight --> flash initiator
Really good, can play KAY/O, can play Breach. Good gamer, solid util, pretty decent aim. Plays for BiliBili, FNS are you ok?

If imports, probably nephhh for flash initiator/igl over Knight
if no imports, Viva igl

HM:
Ezeir: Extremely strong smokes player currently for NOVA esports. Chose happywei over him for flexibility reasons. I'm a bit of a double senti enjoyer, and the fact that happywei can slot into a double senti comp while Viva plays smokes (which, admittedly, he isn't too accustomed to yet) could be rather nice.
Coconut: Can play flash and scan initator, but I really do just prefer Viva, he's shown in tier 1 that he can play a very solid Sova and is a rather versatile player.
AAAAY: If you hate tactics and love crisp aim, this is the guy for you, but not for my team.
Yosemite: This guy actually almost slipped into my team, but honestly, my happywei/GuanG bias might just be clouding my vision (also they can both play senti, and Viva has a good Viper).
Z1yan: Really solid player, but I just don't think he merits a slot in my team, not quite there to be in a "top (blank) of the region" list.
CB: Really solid, quite versatile, whzy clears. Now we can move on to the next.
Levius: Used to hate this guy, had a great off season showing, a bit slower in kickoff, but I think that if it's a team for the future, he could look very solid.
B1ack: TEC kinda sucks ngl, B1ack is a solid initiator though, and while that alone doesn't merit a place on my team, he is a decent player nonetheless.
TYLOO: While the team sucks, hfmi, slowly, Eren, and Ninebody are all really solid players. It's a shame that they have nothing to show for it.
Spring: Exciting young duelist, but once again, isn't whzy, so he'll have to settle with a place in my HM.
Lysoar: Almost made the cut, but, again, XLG ftw. (ok but he genuinely could've made it on the team but I just am a happywei/GuanG enjoyer)
Nicc: Love the guy, really solid igl, good on flashes as well, didn't make team because he's perhaps mechanically a cut below the other players on this team.
SpiritZ1: Signing for the future, but already looks cracked now, can play duelist, can play initiator, can play senti, decent versatility, good aim, cracked gamer.

I'd honestly rather see a "-nobody, +Viva" but okay.

But maybe it's time for the polar bears to look for greener (whiter) pastures.

It's not like FPX has looked any better. Also, he just joined TEC, and playing on a team with friends, professionally or not, is always more fun.

It's not like FPX has looked any better. Also, he just joined TEC, and playing on a team with friends, professionally or not, is always more fun.

Well, that polar bear is currently getting benched.

On one hand, they do indeed have CB and GuanG who can both play duelist. However, on the other hand, I don't think double duelist is viable enough to run on every map, and SWERL doesn't really regularly play other agents to a degree that could truly propel the team forwards. As a result, I nonetheless believe that it probably is better to just drop him instead of shifting the entire team dynamic to supplement him.

And have them compete in what region? China? What is a polar bear doing in Arlington, Texas ahhhh statement.

Factual!

That's what I'm sayin'

https://imgur.com/a/f0bRnE8

OBONE you're my only hope 🥹

Chinese is spoken a tad in Singapore overall though, no?

nobody's team did indeed place third!

Forget Seychelles, I can't find the San Marino flag >:c

They were decent enough in Kickoff I thought. Once again, I only looked at stats because I don't watch AMER, terrible in my time zone.

I choose to believe in Erik d00mbr0s, and honestly I don't watch AMER so I dunno who else would have too big of a chance. My bad.

EMEA
VIT
FNC
TH

AMER
G2
SEN
MIBR

PAC
DRX
GEN.G
T1

CN
EDG
TE
Nova

The fact that nobody has even mentioned Nova for CN is kinda criminal.

Could be a decent signing, but he's probably pretty happy with After and Abo on TEC, so pretty much an unlikely move.

nobody put his Juicy 5CM Shrimp slowly into YOU.

I personally don't really think flukes are a thing in Valorant. Arguments like "kangkang just abused Neon" is completely absurd in my opinion, as Zekken and Miniboo did the same and simply didn't perform as well.

How much does Edowaaaaaaaad gaeminggggg need to win for people to acknowledge that their champs win wasn't a fluke?

Yeah but if EDG gets everyone shooting, it's basically over.

Ain't no way you're saying that after Chichoo's last two tournaments.

Viva goat.
Has experience IGL
decent duelist, good viper, good scan initiator.

Viva

XL-GG lads, time to send these Billy Bonkin Boys home.

I'd say something good about Gattuso but I am not a Milanista.

I thought ButterflyEffect23 was a pretty chill dude

Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit.

That's the thing, man. The metas have changed a lot, and I wouldn't bank on someone who got dropped by BLG and hasn't played a game since 2023. I think it's perfectly reasonable to try to instead give a chance to someone who could thrive after the step up to Tier 1. You don't know what you're really getting until you try. Of course, he could totally flop and look worse than B3ar, but that's still better than betting it all on someone like rin who hasn't played since 2023.

Good last year but this year he has truly become the oil that has separated from the water, the cream of the crop. Truly an outstanding player.

GuanG: Was cracked out of his mind last year already but really cemented himself as a top CN player while also helping establish Nova as a strong Chinese team.

Look, I have nothing against you- but- B3ar??? You mean the guy who hasn't play for BLG in like 14 months? The guy who dropped K/Ds like:
Vs AG: 17/30
Vs TE: 28/41
Vs TYL: 32/36
Vs TE: 31/54
Vs TEC: 19/19
Vs WOL: 25/26
Vs WOL: 20/30
Now, he did indeed stack a good amount of assists, but that could simply suggest that he isn't being clinical enough in gunfights, and while he can IGL, I don't think FPX currently needs someone dropping FNS numbers on the team. Sorry for the yap.

That's what I'm saying!

Autumn is changing his name to 秋天 or smth ig.

Breach (Although I love playing him)

Autumn IGL is cooked...

Yes yes yes, incredible individuals, (bar maybe YOU)

Fellow XLG flair person! What are your thoughts on the prospects of our team?

Ezeir is solid, but GuanG clears. In terms of decent young talents, SpiritZ1, Rushia, Levius, and K1ra should be considered.

They signed a player called Shrimp, but I think BerLIN had to go especially because he was ANGE1 2.0

You cannot seriously mean B3ar...