100T hasnt proven anything yet

NRG 2-0 I think, GenG and even KCorp gave LOUD close games. And DRX will 2-0 TLN.

Ty! Yeah ranked is definitely the "real mode" for me in games even though I have always struggled with them. Still problem in games like OW due to higher rank, but not getting as much pressure from Valorant, Apex etc rankeds is definitely a really nice feeling.

1-2: Fnatic, NaVi (not in order)
3: Liquid
4-6: KOI, Giants, Vitality (not in order)
7: Heretics
8: KCorp
9: BBL
10: FUT

But I think that especially 7-9 can change, but too early to tell.
Reasoning: NaVi and Fnatic both have a core and really stacked roster on paper. Liquid might be there as well, but I have more questions for them and they might have some issues with language barrier and roles at start. KOI, Giants and Vitality all have good rosters IMO especially the first 2 and I also think that these teams especially Vitality have a clear vision and project and are built by people who actually want to do well in the league. Heretics roster is just so uninspiring and full of players who had weak 2022. I just don't see any vision. KCorp is griefing themselves by going full French, but they still have Scream and Nivera who are good. And BBL and FUT are just same core for most part as they had before and didn't make any massive changes outside of BBL getting and IGL. Turkish teams just lack structure and strats I think like always.

Yeah I didn't play Valorant very often and if I did it was like 2 unrated game in week or something. Only lately started playing more actively.

Ranked anxiety. I rarely play ranked in any game because I always think I'm not good enough and will fail myself and my team. I only got more confidence when I participated in the VLR community cup and realized that I have no reason to stress about performing in ranked and I will do just fine.

level: around 80
rank: Diamond 3 currently, just dropped from Ascendant 1 (never played ranked until last season)
when started playing: since beta

The fact that there's people who type "gg wp/ez" after DM match already tells me why Valorant DM is shit

Derke easily out of these

Not wrong, maybe 30 is wrong but there's definitely a lot of talent that could replace current BBL and FUT rosters.

Both Fnatic and then NaVi/Liquid can make it to semis, while NA cannot have 2 teams in semis if EG loses today and either of SEN or 100T make it.

I mean on paper/pre season expectations Omega group has top 3 EMEA teams + Vitality who will likely end up to be anything from 4th to 6th in EMEA, and then ofc FUT who are likely the worst. While Alpha had Giants and KOI who likely end up in top 6 and then you have Heretics, KCorp and BBL who are all likely bottom 4 teams.

Hard to say because EG players are pretty short, but my guess is like 185 cm based on some pictures

I think Suygetsu is better in raw mechnical skill, but nAts is smarter.

Or just go: Scream flex, Nivera smokes, Enzo initiator/IGL, Takas duelist, sh1n(or someone else) sentinel.

jamppi doesnt mean anything

Yeah felt like it was such obvious signing.

It is good for marketing, but bad for competitiveness. France just doesn't produce enough top level pros. They could have gone for like Scream, Nivera, Shin, Enzo, Takas and that could have had potential, but outside of those there aren't crazy amount of talent at the moment. Maybe there will be a chance in the future but I doubt it. Its like in CSGO how national teams used to dominate, but most of them have turned into international teams in recent years. Its just hard to get enough talent from one country alone.

Positively surprised by them. I liked Nivera's Omen a lot. Scream wasn't fragging as hard, but his calling was decent at times. Shin came from weaker tier 2 team and actually did decent. Newzera wasn't super impressive, but again I didn't expect anything from these 2. And I was dissapointed of xms. Like I still think they will be in bottom 4 of EMEA, but I kind of liked how they looked, especially compared to my expectations. But I do think that going full French was a mistake.

Expected tbh. Only teams with any sort of potential or vision moving into future in my head were KOI and Giants who both had to face NRG. Both KCorp and BBL were big underdogs vs LOUD and DRX. And Heretics was the only one with real possibility to make it further, but again Heretics vs EG was really 50/50 game and Heretics lost.

I mean we haven't see the on paper top 3 EMEA teams yet.
And even outside of that I was just thinking that top EMEA talent is really packed right now like just think about it. Arguably top 5 EMEA teams last year were FPX, Fnatic, TL, M3C and Guild and where they are now:

FPX: Suygetsu(NaVi), Shao(NaVi), ANGE1(NaVi), Zyppan(NaVi) -> Ardiis imported to NA
FNC: Derke(FNC), Boaster(FNC), Alfajer(FNC) -> Mistic and Enzo to tier 2
TL: Jamppi(TL), Soulcas(TL), Dimasick (TL 6th man) -> Scream and Nivera left for weaker team with Scream IGLing, no hope
M3C: nAts(TL), Redgar(TL), Chronicle(FNC), Sheydos(KOI) -> D3ffo/Jady no longer in
GLD: Leo(FNC), Sayf(TL), Trexx(KOI), Koldamenta(KOI) -> Russ to tier 2

so pretty much arguably last year's 5 best EMEA teams are now split into like 3 teams aka Fnatic, Liquid and NaVi. While some went to KOI, but KOI also has starxo who didn't look too good last year and Wolfen who came from tier 2. And ofc there are other players like nukkye, hoody, Cloud, Molsi, Twisten etc who looked good, but again are on teams that have a lot to prove before they can be considered top.

on my on paper EMEA team expectation ranking:
Alpha - 9th, 8th, 7th, 4-6th, 4-6th
Omega: 1-2nd, 1-2nd, 3rd, 4-6th, 10th

but this is just my pre season prediction

His OPing is insane just unfortunate he isn't playing agents like Jett. Apparently he has too low sens to play duelist effectively.

With "7 teams" he likely meant those 2 teams. And considering especially The Guard's time together they are a challenge at this point in time and would put a fight if not even win vs EG.

That's kind of unfair tho when both KOI and GIA got eliminated by NRG who are potentially NA's best or at least top 3. Its really possible that KOI and/or Giants could beat EG and/or TheGuard/M80 if you are talking about those two.

Its not really about that. I think that mist EMEA teams just have a lot of questions and problems that need to be fixed with time. There's tier 2 players jumping into tier 1 like Fit1nho and Wolfen. There's a lot of role conflicts and players with new roles(same with teams like C9, but overall more clearer). Potential comm issues/language barriers/cultural differences etc. And then you ofc have like 4 teams that just have really little potential aka TH, KC, BBL and FUT.

it is a cope, but also something that is true and likely won't be as big of an issue with NA teams(SEN could have this)

Expected tbf. One season of regional and they will be much stronger(if they make it).

I don't know what they are doing. Forcing same things over and over again.

NRG won so many clutch rounds and couple throws from Giants like Fit1nho and Cloud not waiting to regain hp and just peak

Ofc not. Games like Valorant will not die in long time just like games like CSGO, LoL, Dota 2 etc.

No problem both NRG and LOUD hard opponents and favorites on paper

For me Omega is definitely more interesting because of Fnatic, Liquid, NaVi and Vitality. Alpha is boring for me outside of KOI and Giants.

And even if they win vs NRG they will have to face the best IGL in the world Scream

Split would be interesting for sure

I actually think that Giants' Haven has looked good here and in G-Loot and its likely their best map atm. IMO KOI vs NRG map pool aka Icebox and Haven would be good for Giants.

Giants wasn't really tested, so they didn't have to show much while NRG had to show little more and showed that their Icebox is kind of weak. I think Giants definitely have a chance, but it might be too early for that. Also Fit1nho has to perform better.

Maybe he is just the 6th man? Most teams have coaches as their 6th so they look like if they only had 5 players there.

That is why you have to combine the 2 for ultimate team. This is why Fnatic and Liquid will win everything in 2023.

Nah the real secret is to have one Finn on the team, Fnatic: Derke, Liquid: Jamppi, Giants: hoody, Vitality: Bonecold all arguably top 6 teams in EMEA and players' teams have done well in events.

Good to see. He had slow start this season, but has been killing it ever since.

First day is going to be banging. Are thse BO3 btw?

IMO Giants are stronger or at least same than KOI and have had more time together

no, never even tried

Wolfen vs ____

didnt bet

Rather have small arena with packed crowd than big arena with small crowd. Really hope it gets better as the tournament progresses. Always just feel kinda bad for the teams.

You lack the ability of reading? EG isn't same as NRG, and TH isn't same as KOI.

At least on KOI it makes sense with Koldamenta as IGL, and Fit1nho is fine and has potential. Mixwell feels like clout pick, but maybe he brings in something else as well.

I have 2 wrong, NRG vs KOI and PRX vs C9(originally had C9 rip)

Actually kinda reminds me of their LEC roster.