Storylines - RLCS X NA - Edition #3
I'll start this by saying, this format is a breath of fresh air. With so many games and so many surprises, it is impossible not to be entertained. From Thursday to Sunday, we saw North America compete in The Grid, Week 2, and Stage 1 in the first Regional Event, coming out at a jaw-dropping 93 games across five days. Summing up 93 games and predicting next weeks storylines in one article is going to be tough, but let's dive straight in...
REVIEW - THE GRID WEEK 2 / REGIONAL 1, STAGE 1
Week 1 of the grid had everyone's eyebrows firmly raised as NRG crashed out, and teams that were written off, such as Susquehanna Soniqs, showed up with remarkable flair and confidence to place well above their expectations. Going into Week 2, there were a lot of questions that needed to be discussed.
Looking back at our key talking points, here's what happened in Week 2 of The Grid and Stage One of the first Regional Event in North America.
CAN NRG REIGNITE THE FIRE?
AFTER A POOR SHOW IN THE GRID, COULD NRG OVERCOME COMPLACENCY?
That was more like the NRG we have been used to seeing throughout the off-season. Far from the polished diamond, but still solid enough to reach the top four of the grid and finish third in Group B of The Grid. Jstn. found his form with some truly outrageous mechanics that have been commonly associated with the flamboyant star, and despite SquishyMuffinz not hitting the heights that he's capable of, NRG looked to be on their way back.
HAVE TEAMS FOUND THE ROGUE OPERATOR?
HAD TEAMS SUSSED ROGUE OUT AFTER THEIR IMPRESSIVE OFFSEASON BUT POOR WEEK 1 IN THE GRID?
Many tipped Rogue to be an outside contender to be the best in NA, much akin to BDS in Europe. However, come RLCS X they haven't quite pushed into that bracket, although they have cemented themselves as a solid top-four side. Time and time again, they fend off quality opposition, just lacking that clinical edge to propel them to the top.
ANOTHER TYPICAL SYPICAL?
IS IT ABOUT TIME WE CROWN SYPICAL AND CO. AS THE BEST IN NA?
The one thing that attractive and spectacular players struggle with is consistency. Only very few players in the past have been able to be mechanically excellent week upon week. AztraL and Jstn. in Season 9 are the most recent examples, but few more set the world alight last season. However, Sypical has found the winning formula, and his teammates are quickly catching up. Is second place a failure? At this stage, that's not perspective to have.
WILL JRUSS CONTINUE HIS SUPERSONIQ FORM?
MOST HAD WRITTEN SUSQUEHANNA SONIQS OFF, BUT WAS JRUSS THE SPARK THEY NEEDED?
Susquehanna continued to impress this week, although the top four was beyond them. They beat teams that were classed in a similar skill category than them, and only lost to Rogue and an in-form The Peeps team in the seven games they played. Consistency like this will set them up nicely to attempt to break into the top 6.
WHO CAN CAUSE THE BIGGEST PLOT TWIST THIS WEEK?
WHO WILL EMERGE AS THE UNDERDOG OF STAGE 1?
Charlotte Phoenix flipped their form on its head with a much better weekend. The Grid fixtures didn't do them much justice as they found themselves up against Spacestation and Rogue, although they beat The Peeps 3-0. However, they managed a 3-1 record in Stage 1, comfortably beating teams of a similar ability.
THE GRID - WEEK 2 RESULTS
Here's how Week 2 of The Grid unfolded...
Click to enlargeREGIONAL 1, STAGE 1 RESULTS
There were some surprise inclusions to the top 16, who advance to Stage 2, as some big teams have missed out on those early RLCS points.
Jamal Jabary, 72PC, Continuum, and Team Frontline are the four most surprising inclusions going into Stage 2. Continuum found themselves facing an early elimination after losing the first two games but fought back by defeating Adept, XSET, and The First Graders to make an incredible run.
On the complete contrary, eUnited were dunked from the competition despite winning the first two games. Consecutive losses to Spacestation, Charlotte Phoenix and Kansas City Pioneers left them blue in the face and out of the competition. Short memory, huh?
The Peeps were the most impressive of the sides, as Gyro led them to three straight wins, only dropping one map on the way.
Click to enlargeIS IT ANY WONDER 72PC ARE KICKING ON?
CAN WONDER HELP SPUR 72PC INTO THE TOP EIGHT?
72PC found their form in Stage 1, with Wonder pulling off some incredible solo displays. Combined with Ty and Jacob, the 72PC roster has knitted nicely, and out of all of the non-grid teams that have made the top 16, 72PC could be the one to break into the playoffs at the expense Alpine of Charlotte Phoenix.
HOW MANY PEEPS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB?
THEY'VE CONFUSED THE REGION WITH MIXED RESULTS, CAN THE PEEPS FOCUS UP FOR HIGH REWARDS?
The Peeps surprised the pack with their 3-0 record in Stage 1, but they struggled in The Grid beforehand. Their mix-match of results have led questions marks to trail from Gyro's Octane. If they focus up, there's no reason why they have to set a limit for their potential.
CONSISTENT GIMMICKS CAN TORMENT ENEMIES
VERSION1 HAVE CONQUERED GIMMICKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT CAN THEY SHOW CONQUER NA ON THE PITCH?
Gimmick and torment have found consistent top-eight finishes alongside AxB, and I feel this week will be no different. With many top teams having a few more weeks to embed as a trio, experience and teamwork will be put to the test this week. Torments new role will hold the key if he can work alongside AxB to pitch in with goals.
SONIQ SPEED MAKES FOR A BIGGER CAR CRASH
THE BIGGER THEY ARE THE HARDER THEY FALL, DON'T CRASH SUSQUEHANNA, IT'LL HURT
The Soniq has started the season in electric fashion. But with teams that swap petrol out for confidence, the wheels can often fall off and spiral out of control. JRuss needs to continue to step up again and show why he's RLCS quality, and I fear if he doesn't, there's a huge car crash waiting to happen.
YOUR REGIONAL ONE CHAMPS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD
SPACESTATION ARE IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, AND YOU'D BE BRAVE TO BET AGAINST THEM.
I can only see one winner of the Regional Event. Whilst they may shift their focus away from The Grid, the Regional is where the big prize lies. Retals has recently impressed in pushing the team forward, and he sent Squishy muffin shopping last weekend. If that form can be continued, there's nobody that can stop them from lifting off.
THE GRID - WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS
With the Regional event looming, there's room for teams to capitalise on fatigue...
Click to enlargeREGIONAL 1 PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS
With the first Regional event coming to a conclusion, this is how I see the weekend unfolding.
Click to enlargeStay tuned here at GGRecon for more Rocket League esports news.
Images via Javier Munante
