RLCS X: Power Rankings EU - Edition #2
With three days of European RLCS play happening this week, it’s time for the newest power rankings. While teams haven’t quite settled into set positions just yet, the conclusion of the first Regional Event has helped shape the top half of the rankings massively.
On the cusp:
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Triple Trouble’s Grid victory would have pushed them up into the rankings, but failing to reach the playoffs of the Regional Event means they aren’t quite there yet.
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Even though they did take down Guild Esports on their way to a top-four finish, Magnifico still need to prove themselves consistently to secure a top-ten spot.
- Likewise with Solary, who failed to beat a single team in the top ten this week despite reaching the Regional Event’s playoffs.
#10: Team Liquid (-1) - kuxir97 / Speed / fruity
Liquid’s decline continues mostly due to only playing on one day this week as a result of their upset in the first swiss stage. A top-eight finish in The Grid is certainly back on the right track, especially with solid wins over FC Barcelona and Dignitas, but sweep defeats at the hands of Triple Trouble and Giants prevent their slide from stopping just yet.
#9: Guild Esports (-1) - noly / ThO. / Scrub
Putting Guild down at #9 does feel a little harsh. After all, they did go 3-0 in the second swiss stage on Saturday. Nevertheless, here they are after an upset at the hands of Magnifico. The root cause of their descent to 9th is undoubtedly their poor Grid performance, with losses to Triple Trouble and Top Blokes knocking them out in the group stage.
#8: FC Barcelona (-5) - Deevo / Ronaky / Itachi
The Spanish football club were looking on the up after a swift 3-0 advance from the first swiss stage. Yet this week Deevo’s side went 1-5 across The Grid and the second swiss stage, with their lone win coming against a Last Resort side who failed to win a single game on their way to an 0-3 exit. FCB appear to be facing some consistency issues with Itachi on the lineup, with their stellar RLCS debut and strong Grand Prix performances offset by poor showings last week and in The Eurocup.
#7: Oxygen Esports (+2) - Ferra / Chausette45 / AztraL
Despite their abysmal start to the season, having been knocked out of the Regional Event by Stormtroopers, Oxygen recovered spectacularly by reaching the grand final of The Grid. Their lack of RLCS results this week means that wins over Singularity, Dignitas, Top Blokes and Giants are all we have to go off. Yes, they did lose to Triple Trouble, but it was a back-and-forth series, and OXG definitely could’ve taken it had a few key moments gone the other way.
#6: Endpoint (-1) - Virtuoso / RelatingWave / Metsanauris
On Thursday, Endpoint were cracked out of their minds. The famed Virtuoso cam made its first appearance as the Irish star blew his opponents out of the server. Endpoint’s run in The Grid was eventually ended by Triple Trouble, but not after wins over Top Blokes, Renault Vitality and Team Singularity secured a top-four finish. Two days later, and all that was undone. Endpoint stumbled out of the RLCS Regional Event with defeats to Top Blokes, Dignitas and Giants, sending the British organisation tumbling back down the rankings. It just felt like whatever had clicked on Thursday had run its due course, and Endpoint will need to rebuild ahead of Friday’s Grid matches.
#5: Vodafone Giants (+0) - Tox / Zamué / Stake
One of two teams to keep their spot in the rankings, Giants firmly established themselves as a top European side with playoff appearances in both The Grid and the Regional Event. A win over Vitality on Thursday was certainly nothing to scoff at, with a close defeat against eventual champions BDS in the Regional Event proving that they can duke it out with the big boys.
#4: Dignitas (+0) - ViolentPanda / Yukeo / Joreuz
Dignitas barely hold on to their top-four spot after a shaky week for the Season 9 champions. A 3-2 record in the second swiss stage and failure to exit groups in The Grid will be a disappointing set of results for ViolentPanda’s side as they continue to find their groove with new man Joreuz, but their ability to give Vitality a close series is a positive that they will take into their next matches.
#3: Top Blokes (+2) - FlamE / Kassio / archie
Oh boy, what a run. Top Blokes finally rose above their mid-table expectations with a grand final appearance in the Regional Event. With star player archie quickly proving himself as one of Europe’s best players thanks to some outrageous plays, the ex-Veloce side are rapidly rising up the rankings. Although they lost to Oxygen in The Grid, that series was an incredibly tight affair, with a win over Guild earlier in the day certainly not holding them back.
#2: Renault Vitality (-1) - Fairy Peak / Kaydop / Alpha54
Well well well, how’s this happened? Vitality were the one constant of Europe atop the standings, but a defeat to BDS in the semifinals of the Regional Event and losses to Giants and Endpoint in The Grid has left the French titans reeling as they fall to second place. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Vitality fans. Second place is nothing to lose sleep over, and there are still plenty of chances for the trio to recover their crown in the coming weeks.
#1: Team BDS (+1) - MaRc_By_8. / M0nkey M00n / Extra
Six months ago, absolutely nobody saw this one coming. Team BDS’ ascent up the rankings since picking up Extra has been incredible, with their Eurocup win being followed up by a victory in the first RLCS X Regional Event. A stellar run through the bracket saw BDS take out Triple Trouble, Dignitas, Giants (twice), Vitality, and Top Blokes over the span of two days in order to take 351 RLCS points and $30,000.
Congratulations to BDS, who will be looking to retain their spot on Friday in The Grid. We’ll be back with more Power Rankings next week as we take a look at The Grid’s results.
Image via ZeeboDesigns
