RLCS X: Power Rankings NA - Edition #4
Starting the second Regional Event in EU has been on everyone’s mind, but NA has been busy too. The Grid pushes the players to perform every week. Keeping up that sweet consistency is the RLCS X dream, and last Friday, NA took to the field to work on that dream. Every team needs to stay focused, or it might turn into a nightmare.
#10 - Alpine Esports (-3) - percy., Jordan, majicbear
Passing plays got them far before, but against G2 Esports, it didn’t get Alpine very far. Alpine couldn’t hold on to their lead after the first game, and that seems to be a reoccurring theme. They fell out of the tournament in much the same way, only taking the first game against the Knights. It’s almost as if other teams begin to recognise the talent on this team, and start to adapt to the boys in green. Alpine Esports is still a strong contender, though. Their first order of business should be securing a spot in the top eight more regularly. They have that upset potential - they just have to show it.
#9 - Susquehanna Soniqs (-1) - Shock, Satthew, jruss
As the Soniqs look to repeat their success from the week before, they must be a little disappointed to not make it to the playoffs. Other teams, like the Kansas City Pioneers, are stepping up their game, and the Susquehanna Soniqs have to follow suit. Losing momentum now could spell disaster for the Susquehanna squad. They’ve shown before that they can turn it around and stun everyone with their remarkable resilience, so they can do it again. They will always be a team to watch, if only for the magnificent solo plays jruss pulls out of his hat.
#8 - Kansas City Pioneers (+2) - rapid, Memory, BeastMode
Casually making it to the playoffs in The Grid three weeks in a row, earns the Kansas City Pioneers a spot in the top eight. They’re making themselves at home in these ranks now. It’s a nice place to stay while they try to grow as a team and reach even greater heights. The Pioneers also came second in the ASTRONAUTS Star Circuit qualifier, so their performance isn’t limited to The Grid either. Their weakness seems to be the way they lose. When they get beaten, it’s often not even close. They have a hard time coming back from one or two lost games, and that costs them a series. Fixing that could be what they need to reign over the middle of The Grid.
- Read More - All The RLCS X Rosters
#7 - Pittsburgh Knights (+2) - radoko., kinseh, ZPS.
Even though the Pittsburgh Knights got completely shut down by The Peeps, they’re showing again that the Knights are a force to be reckoned with. A few weeks ago, such a loss might have meant more, but The Peeps are looking much stronger now, so the comparison doesn’t hold up that well anymore. They’re in the same ballpark as the Pioneers, making the playoffs as a lower seed. When the Knights face off directly against the Pioneers, they win a few and lose a few, but the Knights often come out on top.
#6 - Rogue (+0) - Kronovi, Firstkiller, Turinturo
Somehow, Rogue did the impossible and beat Spacestation Gaming in the quarterfinals of week 4 of The Grid. The doubts from the week before are vanishing with a concrete placement in the top four. Holding on to such a desired spot is going to be more difficult than ever, but the fact that they bounce back after such a poor performance in the Regional Event gives hope for a bright future for Rogue.
#5 - The Peeps (-1) - Gyro., AYYJAYY, Allushin
The Peeps are no longer being slept on. Everyone is wide awake, but they still can’t stop The Peeps from sliding into the semi-finals. In the top four, the team struggles a little, but they’re constantly taking games off of the top teams. It’s only a matter of time before they begin to take more series, too. The Peeps are also dominating in division 1 of The Field, a league for points and prizes. Not a whole lot of North American teams take The Field seriously, which leaves it to The Peeps to collect the rewards.
#4 - G2 Esports (+1) - Jknaps, Rizzo, Chicago
Anyone would expect a household name like G2 to make it to the top of the standings, time and time again. Still, it’s up to the team to show up on the day. G2 Esports did just that last week, and even made it to the finals of The Grid. Their shooting looks much better than the week before, and their overall team synergy is turning heads. This is exactly how a team like G2 should play.
#3 - NRG Esports (-1) - GarrettG, Jstn, SquishyMuffinz
This week of The Grid, the higher seed coming into the playoffs got a one-game lead by default, as a reward for making the playoffs through the upper bracket. For NRG, this meant that G2 only had to win three games to kick NRG out of the tournament. Unfortunate for them, sure, but losing against the finalists isn’t all that bad for a solid top-three team.
#2 - Team Envy (+1) - Atomic, Mist, Turbopolsa
In convincing fashion, Team Envy win week 4 of The Grid. They didn’t drop a single game in the quarterfinals, semi-finals, or the finals. It’s rare to see a team shut down even the best rivals like that. Atomic, Mist, and Turbopolsa are making a statement here - they’re here to win.
#1 - Spacestation Gaming (+0) - Sypical, Arsenal, Retals
Over the past few weeks, Spacestation Gaming has done nothing but win. Last week, their 21 series win streak came to an end. It just so happens to take place in the quarterfinals, which makes their results last week look somewhat off.
Notice how the first letter of each paragraph spells out a name? It’s a name that belongs at the top of these Power Rankings. Spacestation Gaming’s win streak might have ended, but their reign over NA surely hasn’t.
Image via Dreamhack
