CommunityFortress

Week 1 in ESEA was crucial, as it was the first step in showing how well each of the ‘new’ teams could play. With completely reinvented teams outside of the Big 3 (coL, EG and Blight) and MoB, it was interesting to see what teams would show up. So far no major upsets have been presented, although that could take place with a match still left not played (Pandemic v Complexity). All of the teams expected to do well thus far have done well, and all the teams predicted to not play as great did… just that. Week 2 brings out a highly scrutinized map in cp_follower. This map is remake, combining Badlands and Granary, and is prone to backcaps. I expect to see teams try running sniper at some point (not as often as on Viaduct), but for the most part the map will be a big stalemate and won’t be too spectator friendly.

With a majority of the college folks focusing on exams or headed back home, I don’t expect a large percentage of these games to actually get played before the New Years. I also, don’t foresee many teams being able to get 6 to scrim this map before they play their matches. Like Viaduct, this is a legitimate test to the lower tier teams, yet for the Big 3, this is just a map that they’ll half-way try on and wouldn’t feel too ashamed losing.

EG v Loaded

EG should have a relatively easy win this week against Loaded, a team many feel has the worst dm’ing ability in ESEA-I. Hell, Loaded’s strongest player will have to face off against 2 scouts who play well together and have a lot of experience. Even with the usual stalemate of this map, I expect a quick sweep. If Warpy is able to successfully utilize kritz (expect a lot of it from Loaded) then the match might be interesting. In the end, should be an easy enough win for EG.
5-1 EG

Complexity v MoB

MoB managed to sneak their way into playoffs last season shocking many players who expected them to be the 6th or 7 seed. This season, they’ll have a much harder time with a full 8 teams in ESEA-I (in comparison to the 6 at the end of last season) and the improvement in quality. Complexity shouldn’t have too hard of time against MoB. MoB is a team that relies largely on teamwork as they don’t have ‘that’ stellar player. Complexity in many ways is opposite, and with the influence of scouts on this map and TF2 in general, I don’t foresee MoB pulling a round. Watch out for Carnage and Enigma, and expect some body shot pro tactics from Phaser who will most likely play some sniper.
5-0 Complexity

EG v Dynamic

Dynamic struggled on viaduct last week, losing to 2 bottom-prone teams in esea-I (MoB and VG). It was a HUGE testament as to how they’d do this season, as it was basically a battle of what I feel are the worst 3 teams. Looking at the rosters I don’t see Dynamic having much of a shot against a team that only lost one regular season match last season. Even with the pickup of veterans like Hubris and Paladin, Dynamic is still having issues. They aren’t scrimming as often as in the previous season, and with the recent change and addition of a whole new squad basically right before the beginning of the season, the chemistry isn’t there. This is another team known for using kritz (especially in their kritz win on badlands vs old loaded). If Chupa and Sequel are able to get in good positioning, they might pull a round or 2. With just better deathmatchers on EG, I don’t foresee Dynamic pulling an upset.
5-1 EG

Blight v Pandemic

Outside of the soldier spots I believe Pandemic has the better deathmatchers. With the loss of Saber, then Scruff since this season begun, Blight has been weak outside of the soldier spot. Ruwin, undoubtedly the best medic in the game will have a hard time fending off Justin and Fanom. Justin proved last match that he’s a sniper to be afraid of. I expect to see him do some sniping in this game. If Pandemic can get past the aggressive playstyle of Blight’s soldiers, they should have it in the bag. But on such an unfamiliar match, I think they’ll have a tough time against Hong/Seagull. In the end, I think this might be the match of the week.
3-2 Pandemic

Dynamic v i7

I expect a rough road for Dynamic this season. i7 is a team that I believe is a possible playoff contender. Even without the greatest deathmatchers, all the players on i7 team know how to play the game and work really well together. Ducky will be the main attraction, as he sits back with his medic and spams away, but I would also keep my eyes on Bloodsire. He’s improved from his sniper only role in the past, and is attempting to prove that he can scout with the best. Again, Dynamic is going to run kritz most likely, while i7 sticks with uber.  The actual dm ability won’t be what separates the 2 teams as much as chemistry and knowledge of the game.
I7 over Dynamic 4-2

Immortal7 v Complexity

This game will be semi-interesting. Although on any of the stock maps I’d give coL the win easily , I think this match will be closer than originally expected. I7 has scrimmed this match a decent amount while Loaded will go in without scrimming on their mind. With stalemates in mind, and i7’s extremely passive play, I don’t think either team will get to 5 rounds.
4-1 coL

Pandemic v MoB

This again, is a match that I think will be semi-close for one reason…Inexperience. A large percentage of team Pandemic has NEVER or only played this map once or twice, giving them a huge disadvantage. Yet, strictly from the deathmatching perspective I would expect a win from Pandemic. It should be interesting to see how these 2 teams play it out, if either team will use kritz. In the end, I think fanom will be a major player, as he’ll be able to out-dm the opposing scouts. This might be an important game for Justin to prove that he’s not only a top sniper, but scout as well.
4-2 Pandemic

Loaded v Blight

The midpoint on this map is in many ways similar to that on cp_badlands, which was without a question 2 seasons ago, Blight’s (20id) best map. Their aggressive soldier playstyle, followed by aggression for the rest of their team worked for them. This map will be more difficult to play aggressive as soldier, with more open areas and less height elevation. Yet, if I look at dm, I don’t see Loaded having an advantage in ANY category. Blight will just overpower Loaded, regardless of the strategies Loaded brings.
5-0 Blight

No huge matchups are present in this week of ESEA. I give my game of the week to Pandemic v Blight. Blight, a team part of the Big 3 and Pandemic, a team that is proving is a force to reckon with will make an interesting combination. No Big 3 teams face-off this week, which is good in many regards as most would rather see them play on a more well-established map (badlands, granary, gravel pit, etc).