Hello reader, and welcome to the first of “Siarnaq Studies” A series where I seek to analyse justify and most importantly share my opinion on various topics related to the competitive scene. This includes all of tier 1, 2 and also just the overwatch competitive experience.
To clarify each article will begin with a thesis, that I try and defend in the end it’s on you as a reader to decide If I managed to make a strong case.
Oh, and if you're still struggling to pronounce my name its Siarnaq (sigh-r-nack) anyway let’s get into the bold statement.
Guangzhou will make top 12 at least
So after looking at everyone’s power rankings, and there has been many of them to digest I’ve gathered a sort of community consensus, London and NY will be top 2, shock make playoffs, LAG are top 6 and that Florida and Washington are near the bottom.
But besides that there has been lots of variation. I myself actually had Guangzhou outside my top 12 originally but after reviewing the players on an individual basis and then factoring in existing chemistry, comparing them to those I feel will be around them I felt this was a more than reasonable prediction.
So, let me start of by going into the Charge’s strong point, namely their dps and Support lines. Everyone should know how good Happy and Eileen are, two experienced players with winning in their regions attached to their name. In a goats meta these two are still more than serviceable for a top 12 team. If the meta shifts to anything other then 3-3 than these two will destroy.
In comparison to the dps lines I place around them like, Dafran & Erster or Diem and DDing, Stellar and Ivy, I feel confident in saying they can outperform in any meta. One comparison I think I’d like to make is between them Philadelphia and the Shanghai dragons. In my collective power rankings We agreed to put Shanghai at 9 and the Fusion at 8. I think they are both further back in hindsight with Guangzhou being a bit better than both. Whilst Happy and Eileen is not Carpe and EQO 2v6 levels of carry, They are pretty strong maybe just the tier below.
However one area I place this team above Fusion and Shanghai is their support line. I am a firm believer that a strong support line is a measuring stick for success, good teams for certain have good supports which I believe Chara, Shu and (Rise) Wonjaelee certainly are. Shu coming from Toronto Esports club showed proficiency amongst the very best in NA tier 2 through season 1 and 2 and will also be gold dust if it’s required for off supports to be faux dps player like it did last playoffs. Alongside him Chara and Rise need little introduction, losing 3-1 to kongdoo panthera as meta bellum in the their last season of contenders can be dismissed, whilst they didn’t appear strong in the goats meta as a core Chara and Rise really stood out for me and went level with Coma and Luffy with far less stronger tanks. On the side of fusion, give me Chara and Rise over Boombox and Neptuno any day, I think Philly’s hold W mentality existed in not just Fragi but Neptuno and boombox too, as well Shu and Rise seem more consistent than the peaks and dips we saw from the team UK flex support during a long season plus playoffs. Ultimately the ultra aggression we saw from Fusion’s supports is their downfall in comparison to the reactive based play of Chara and Rise. Not forgetting Shu who should easily transition into the set up being korean and having experience with English calls playing next to Kruise for 2 seasons.
This brings me to the breaking point of my argument, their tank line. I think particularly in a goats meta a good tank line is a must, Rio should be a solid but less than dazzling mid tier main tank with Hotba being the same now he gets more playing time and is allowed to build synergy. I think there are good comparisons between Sado and Rio and are similar players in quality however no, Hotba is not from “better than poko university” he is in fact from “Benched by Poko state tech” as the Frenchman out performed him on DVA all season. Where Shanghai peak above both these teams is in the tank line, I expect Fearless and Guardian to outperform both duo’s.
Finally I make one last point, if the meta becomes triple dps, or anything requiring a level of flexibility we saw in playoffs The charge should be pretty good. We saw Hotba become a tracer god for a short period and even bench boombox whilst Shu clicks heads on widow pair them with Eileen who plays almost every dps hero in the game and they have an air of unpredictability about them which will be at least fun to watch.
Whilst not being top 2 in korean the meta bellum core, have synergy and contain good parts. Stage 1 is a big test for this team after being not the best goats team in korea contenders, the transition may be rough to start out, but I have faith I think this team could really surprise some people especially once Rise debuts later.
Article written by (GCB) Siarnaq, twitter is @GCB_Siarnaq.
For any emails about articles or podcasts check, josh.anthonysharp@outlook.com
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