Call Of Duty League 2021: Is Roster Stability Going To Pay Off?
The inaugural season of the Call of Duty League (CDL) has concluded. After a season filled with everything from format changes, to perhaps one of the most competitive seasons of Call of Duty esports to date, the first season of the geo-franchised league has some solid foundations to build on ahead of the second season.
While Activision Blizzard prepares for the Black Ops Cold War season, the 12 franchises are deep in negotiations, attempting to sign players ahead of the release of the game on November 13. While some franchises have overhauled their season one rosters, others have opted to remove one player, maintaining stability for the new season.
Despite over forty world-class players being placed into free-agency ahead of the Black Ops Cold War season, is maintaining a stable roster going to yield success, or is a roster overhaul with a brand-new line up going to give some franchises some much-needed success?
Strong And Stable
Click to enlargeSince the conclusion of the Modern Warfare season, the off-season has seen all franchises make changes to their respective teams. Others have taken a more minimal approach, removing one or two players from the team. In contrast, others have opted for a more aggressive strategy, dispatching all of their players in search of an all-new roster, in an attempt to reverse their fortunes on Black Ops Cold War.
Reigning CDL champions, the Dallas Empire, have gone for minimal change, and after winning the championship trophy and rings, it comes as no surprise to see that the franchise has kept four of its five championship-winning players. While the shock departure of North American veteran James “Clayster” Eubanks came as a surprise to both fans and players, it’s more than likely that he has managed to find a new home for the Black Ops Cold War season, which has reverted to a four-versus-four team structure.
Maintaining the services of Ian “Crimsix” Porter, Indervir “iLLeY” Dhaliwal, Cuyler “Huke” Garland, and Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro is a no-brainer for the Empire. Hot off winning the biggest tournament of the season, and with a lethal mixture of explosive slaying power and expert leadership, there was no real need for Dallas to undergo a radical change in the composition of the team.
Although it’s an unfortunate situation to omit one of the most successful players in the history of Call of Duty esports from the team, the Dallas Empire’s decision to maintain stability heading into the beginning of Black Ops Cold War is certainly the right one. But can a complete overhaul yield success and potentially usurp the Empire from the Call of Duty throne?
The Overhaul
Click to enlargeWhile Dallas has stuck with the majority of its championship roster, other franchises have tackled the off-season with a more unorthodox approach. Rather than hoping for a reversal in their fortunes, a number of franchises have gone with a complete overhaul of their Modern Warfare rosters, with only one, and sometimes no players, surviving the chopping block.
The Paris Legion, Minnesota RØKKR, Seattle Surge, Los Angeles Guerrillas, and notably the London Royal Ravens have all undergone drastic measures to ensure that they have the best possible team of four ahead of the Black Ops Cold War season. With so many teams opting for this strategy, the free-agency pool has been one of the biggest ever seen during an off-season, and it gives teams plenty of options when it comes to reforming their roster.
With franchises evidently not happy on their debut season performances, a complete revamp of the team may have been the only option if a successful second season is on the cards. It’s important not to forget the amateur circuit too. Starting from scratch enables teams to pick some of the best up-and-coming talent from top Challengers rosters, giving them their call-up onto the big stage. Gambling on relative unknowns is nothing new in competitive Call of Duty. The start of the Black Ops 4 season saw eUnited take a chance on Chris “Simp” Lehr and Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris, a decision which ultimately secured the final world championship of the CWL era for the North American organisation. If current rumours are to be believed, French player Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez is in very high demand, with several franchises looking to secure his services for the new season.
Although the somewhat brutal tactic of a complete overhaul can look like a questionable decision on the outside, franchises such as Seattle and the LA Guerrillas, cannot afford another season at the bottom of the league table. With plenty of players scrambling for a starting position on a franchise team for next season, the potential for newly formed teams to contend with those that have gone with stability is certainly there. It will undoubtedly be interesting to see if any of the new rosters have what it takes to take the crown from the Dallas Empire.
Images via Call of Duty League
