RLCS X: Power Rankings EU - Edition #3
With the first Regional Event concluded, last week saw just one day of competition as sixteen teams faced off in The Grid. With some incredibly surprising results occurring throughout the day, this week’s Power Rankings certainly weren’t the easiest to decide.
On the cusp:
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Triple Trouble’s top eight finish leaves them barely outside of the top ten due to Solary’s impressive run, with next week being what decides their top-ten fate
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FC Barcelona are yet to win a Grid series and fall out of the top ten just two weeks after being in the top three
- Magnifico aren’t in The Grid and were therefore unable to play in the RLCS
#10: Solary (New) - ExoTiiK / Kérian / Yukiss
Solary have steadily earned their top-ten spot after two weeks of solid results. Wins over Endpoint, Liquid and regional champions BDS (losing just three games in the process) have cemented their leapfrog over FC Barcelona despite their seven-game defeat at the hands of Vodafone Giants. An opening matchup against Chalked on Friday is just the start that the French trio were looking for and they’ll be looking to make a statement in that series.
#9: Team Liquid (+1) - kuxir97 / Speed / fruity
Back-to-back quarter-final appearances in The Grid has finally arrested Liquid’s fall down the rankings as the veteran side recovers from that agonising defeat to Monkeys in the Regional Event. Despite being swept by Solary, Liquid looked strong with wins over Dignitas and Libertas, securing another 60 Grid points and a weaker group heading into Friday’s matches.
#8: Guild Esports (+1) - noly / ThO. / Scrub
Guild’s Grid run last week started horrendously, being swept by Vitality before going 2-1 down against arguably the weakest Grid side in Chalked. However, they pulled through and overcame remkoe’s side before falling to BDS. Yes, they underperformed, but losing to the top two teams in the region is a very harsh set of results, and with the team now bootcamping in the UK, you can count on Guild to bounce back this week.
#7: Endpoint (-1) - Virtuoso / RelatingWave / Metsanauris
Cole and Stumpy’s signature “Virt cam” made a return as the Irishman demoed his way to a top-eight finish. Endpoint were ultimately swept by Vitality and fall one place due to their earlier loss to Solary. With the next Regional Event on the horizon, the British organisation will need to come out with a strong finish if they want to climb further up the rankings.
#6: Dignitas (-2) - ViolentPanda / Yukeo / Joreuz
Dignitas had performed just about well enough to maintain their top-four spot for two weeks, but a winless run against Liquid and Endpoint sinks the former world champions to sixth place. Although they looked poor in both of their matches, Joreuz being forced to play in an internet café is undoubtedly an adequate explanation for the subpar performance as DIG will look to bounce back against Grid champions Giants.
Click to enlarge#5: Oxygen Esports (+2) - Ferra / Chausette45 / AztraL
Climbing two spots yet again, Oxygen beat Monkeys, BDS and Team Liquid before falling in seven games to a ruthless Vitality side. Indeed, not a run to scoff at, their bounce back after falling in stage one of the first Regional has been stunning. Currently standing at third in The Grid points table, Oxygen are certainly making up for their lacklustre start to the season ahead of a date with Top Blokes.
#4: Top Blokes (-1) - FlamE / Kassio / archie
Top Blokes are in a similar position to Dignitas, with archie’s internet issues forcing out a dismal showing from the Regional Event runners-up. Losses to Monkeys and BDS knocked the ex-Veloce side out in last place, with a tough opening series against Oxygen coming up. Top Blokes need to step up once again, or their strong Regional finish will soon become a distant memory.
#3: Vodafone Giants (+2) - Tox / Zamué / Stake
Just as they began to secure their top-five spot, Giants edged ahead of Vitality to take the second week of The Grid in a thrilling game-seven overtime finale (much to the delight of Giants’ Spanish casting crew). Five wins in a row culminated in their first big win as a trio, pushing themselves to the top of The Grid standings. Simply superb from the Spanish rockets.
#2: Team BDS (-1) - MaRc_By_8. / M0nkey M00n / Extra
Maybe putting them in first was jumping the gun a little. BDS were upset by both Oxygen and Solary as they crashed out of The Grid in the quarterfinals, setting up a fixture with Monkeys that they need to win to prevent themselves from a Liquid-esque slide down the table. With their spot atop the Regional rankings secured for another handful of weeks, BDS will need to leapfrog Vitality to retain that spot once the second Regional Event rolls around.
#1: Renault Vitality (+1) - Fairy Peak / Kaydop / Alpha54
Guess who’s back. Vitality, not satisfied with falling to second place for just one week, reclaim their top spot after a grand final appearance in The Grid. Although they did lose to Giants, it was a thrilling series, and they easily could’ve taken it on another day. Although they haven’t won an event yet this season, one thing is for sure. Vitality are still Europe’s top dogs.
That’s it for this week and, with another week to go until the Regional Events return, The Grid will once again be deciding next week’s Power Rankings. Stay tuned to GGRecon for more updates on Rocket League esports and RLCS X.
Images via ZeeboDesigns