FPX throughout a lot of their attacking rounds waited way too long to execute (on lotus and sunset in particular) but the last round they were thwarted by the threat and usage of the viper and fade ult, then they had no answer for the gekko ult or rather didn't expect gekko to be on A

We don't talk about round 23 on Lotus. Otherwise great stuff

Starting with gambit kru now

Very fun set! Both seemed to have their moments in map 1 and 2 but was truly a masterclass on that last map

this is just highlights, not the full match

Going to start with this one, will edit later with what I think of the full match

is what I would say if I could find a full vod on youtube somewhere, I'm only finding split

I need something to watch on my lunch break and its off season so I was wondering what everyone's favorite set they ever watched. Could be this year, 22, 21 whenever and I don't care if its spoiled either, just curious to see different sets with different teams prior to how they are assembled today.

skye 0.74 96 7 / 15 / 10 -8 63% 66

When it mattered the most your goat failed you.

What happened to 3-2 scoreline then

wtf happened round 18 on split

I feel like these are very safe pickems, and overall I can't find much fault in them. The toughest match to call for me would be that match-up of RNG and TOP in the lower bracket, I expect that to be a very fun set and i dont think thats a bad pick even if I myself have TOP winning. My one main disagreement with you is having LGD over dragon ranger. I understand the pedigree of LGD, but there was a lot of be concerned about during the play in stage with them so I have my expectations tapered with them for this act overall.

https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/e4bd27e4

Here's my pickems as well for this event. I admit I am a bit of a Trace homer in some regards but I do believe there is good reason to be confident in them as a team, and I'm hoping they don't fall off after their EDG win. My overperformers for this event I predict are going to be TOP and Dragon ranger.

With TOP, Sylvan and Eko have had an extra month now to get into that system so it seems like they are now truly hitting on all cylinders. Also, I think they have one of the best coaching staffs in the region which is something that isn't always discussed when talking about team strength.

As for Dragon Ranger, I have no real reason for why I think they'll beat rare atom. I just figure there's always one big upset each act and I thought that might be the most likely one 😅

You could just go off of VLR stats for this debate, min rounds 2500 with min opponent rating default. Although I'm not sure if Wardell being that high is accurate

Someone has to check Banger's PC

I mean honestly, of any "favored" teams losing this is the least surprising. I haven't gotten a chance to catch much of ODG's matches, but from what I saw they have had very sloppy performances as well as no real precedent to trust them other than one good map against ASE. On paper their roster is definitely better but having the best players doesn't make you the best team.

2024 is the year of Tuyz 📝🐢

With the departure of aspas a large load is on him to step up for his team, we will see if saadhaak can get the most out of this roster

Balla my goat

My question (if thats the case) would then be why would Kr1stal want to go to another tier 2 team after showcasing throughout the tier 2 circuit this year that he is indeed a tier one talent? Unless he is getting tier 1 money from NWG it doesn't seem like the right move.

After the first one I was hoping they would all be penis related but now I'm just disappointed

While people cry match fixing, people should bear in mind that Kr1stal literally hopped off the plane and straight into their first play in match with Night Wings Gaming. I think he should be given credit for his performance and also seeing happywei step up has been impressive as well. I did not realize going into this match that it would be a revenge game for barricade, who used to be on Night Wings Gaming himself and absolutely showed out in this match. This group I think is by far the toughest of all 4 as far as stacked talent, and perhaps I was too bold in thinking Night Wings could make it out of this group in winners. I think with more time this roster can be good, but adding Kr1stal and Vlad this late into the Evolution series is quite odd, I have no clue how they are comming

Well I did have it in my predictions for Monarch Effect to lose to regans, just I had assumed regans would win their first match. I expect this roster to look much better in their rematch with TEC

In all seriousness, DRG finally bringing it all together this act. They've shown sparks in previous acts but not consistency. They clearly had a slow start on split but definitely built up enough steam for the other 2 maps. The question marks on this team make me hesitate to call them a true contender, but still a team to look out for in the main stage event for this act.

𝕊𝕙𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕞𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕡𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕤.

They thought they banned haven then picked ascent instead of the other way around

Saying this after the other two franchised orgs lost r1 is wild lmao. At least they beat the teams they are supposed to

https://www.vlr.gg/207173/jadeite-vs-scarz-challengers-league-japan-split-2-gf/?game=all&tab=overview

kr1stal

Perhaps this has not been my best act...

Back when this match-up was made it showed it was a bo5

https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/e4bd27e4

Mods can confirm I have the best pickems combined through both of the first 2 VCT CN acts, so heeding my picks would be recommended

📝🐢

TH because at least KOI isn't a nepo org

Something had this same problem last year thats why he wasn't at Tokyo My ass didn't read the other comments

From the time they were vision strikers up until Tokyo this year they were the best. They only had maybe 4 losses (guesstimating) to teams in their region from 2021 to the playoffs of apac vct where they lost to PRX twice. I think its commendable in it of itself to have such a stranglehold on the region for that much of a time, but its clear that teams are catching up with them now and some changes are most likely needed. Its okay to say they aren't the best now but I don't think their past should be overlooked.

Chill. Sen knows what they're doing scheduling show matches and events with Challenger level orgs (still counting G2 in there), to make them look good going into the next season. We also don't know where EG roster is going to land which is very important considering 3 of NA's top 5 are a part of that roster.

+Flair

FUT lowkey right now is #2 EMEA with how this roster is looking right now. You have to commend them for how well Yetujey has slotted into their rotation this quickly along with cned. Granted 100t also has 2 new players but one of them is a stand in who is more than likely not sticking around

Yeah but they busting breach on Ascent? They are cooking SOMETHING

Really want to see ODG get to the main event of Act 3, would be interested to see how this team stacks up

Big time for redditors and annoying people right now

Sadly it seems like JiJieHao hasn't performed well at all as currently constructed, despite the clear talent on the roster. Its not out of the realm of possibility that they don't even make it to this spot.

Unlucky matchup here, possible franchise preview

Judge nerf W

Is there a full post listing out the changes specifically? All this is really saying is "There will be more teams".

Actually fake flagger. A true frenchman would know Lyon clears by a mile as far as event hosting is concerned.

They messed with their lotus comp. It used to be

Smoggy KJ
Haodong Omen
Chichoo Astra
Nobody Fade
Kangkang Raze

Now it's
Chichoo KJ
Haodong Astra
Nobody Omen
Smoggy Fade
Kangkang raze

I don't know why they messed with it, it wasn't that big of an issue before. I think their struggles on that map can be sourced to the shuffling of roles that they've done.

Edit - They can't even ban lotus because they are on losers side

Yup I just saw it 🐢🐢🐢🐢

I mean last act they only lost to EDG and rare atom who were crazy form that act. I agree EDG weren't at their best today and are still the better team overall but this is far from a fluke win for TE

Still coping from the loss in Tokyo is fucking insane

Honestly they are getting coach diffed right now is what it looks like to me. They went into Lotus still tilted from the last map and TE were disciplined enough to pounce on them

More time and practice with Kai in the team and Destroyer as the coach. They have cooked immensely since then and they are arriving earlier than even I expected.

I'm sorry Destroyer for doubting you, what you have done with this team is incredible and you are absolutely diffing After right now

Nvm our sunset is READY

I think the only way TE wins this is if they get their map pick of Bind and win and then somehow beat EDG on split. Trace is very promising and has a lot of good talent but their map pool isn't large enough to be considered a threat to EDG YET . Perhaps in the 3rd act they could pull it off but sadly I don't see it happening here, especially with EDG in top form

Hydrogen bomb vs. Hydrogen bomb