CommunityFortress

ESEA's week 7 brings some good news:  it looks like the dead teams have finally stopped getting scheduled, which means no more forfeits (for the most part).  The bad news, of course, is that it's Freight week.  Haha, I'm just kidding.  I love Freight, it's a great map.




Sike.

Iconic eSports vs. vVv Gaming

Here's a really even matchup between two mid-level teams.  Both squads have solid heavy classes (and vVv has a beast of a soldier in Gremaud), but vVv has the definite advantage in scouting and sniping.  And on a map like Freight where a hot sniper can dominate mid, that advantage can tip the scale a great deal.  I'll give vVv the win here, but expect it to be a long, drag-out game with multiple 15+ minute rounds.  4-3 vVv Gaming

No Grid vs. Faceroll Gaming (formerly 404 Not Found)

FR is probably feeling pretty good after two decisive wins over doin' work and eXpertise, and I don't think they're going to slow down here at all.  No Grid has no counter for FR's scouts -- marmell and enoryt are going to have to have spectacular games to keep NG in this one.  Watch for ComeToJesus to pop off a few (read: lots of) heads.  5-2 Faceroll Gaming

Slaughterhouse Gaming vs. Crack Clan

Slaughterhouse has not had a pleasant ESEA experience:  they haven't won a round since week 2.1 -- all of their games after have been forfeits or blowout losses -- and it looks like most of the team is fed up.  Their star players, opey and mear, along with several other members, have dropped off the roster.  They did pick up Jack Frost, eXult's former medic, but I'm not sure how much he can help.

Crack Clan has had similar luck, but I think that they'll take this opportunity to get their first (real) ESEA win against a disheveled and weakened SG.  5-3 Crack Clan

Most Pro Team Ever vs. Cool Dudes Team

Gravegun has abandoned yet another team, though even with him I don't think MPTE could handle Cool Dudes.  Slardel is going to snipe the holy hell out of embryo & company.  5-0 Cool Dudes Team

Doin Work vs. Knights of Goku

My team's match!  Obviously I can't predict it, but DW has improved a lot since our last ESEA game back on badlands, so don't expect another blowout (noun is going to rape me).

Area 51 vs. eXpertise

Area 51 is in some rough water this week, with their leader cbear out of town and their starting demoman ruffian gone (or is he back now? He's on the roster again).  Still, I doubt they'll have that much trouble with eXpertise.  I remember a story cbear told me about how in one Freight scrim they just let Bloodsire go sniper and ace the entire team at mid while the rest of them sat crouching by the water until the inevitable flanking scout popped out, at which point they all simultaneously meleed him.  God help eX.  5-1 Area 51

Strickland Propane vs. Zilla Gaming

This is my match to watch for week 7.2.  Strickland beat ZG in a surprising upset on badlands earlier in the season, and notor & friends will be looking to even the score.  Provided Zilla has both their starting scouts online, they'll take this one; I don't think fritz and breather can handle both stamjallyfish and Lopert when they are practiced and playing well.  I see Sherr taking a big dump on Strickland in a variety of ways, and leading ZG to their 7th win in a row.  40jam and kayp should make it fun for the spectators, though.  5-3 Zilla Gaming

The Terribles vs. Convulsion

Convulsion is one of those unfortunate teams that hasn't won a game that has actually been played (all three of their wins are forfeits) -- and I don't see much changing here vs. the terribles.  Cake and poopinator should be able to power the TWL allstars to an easy victory.  5-1 The Terribles

Kryptic Gaming vs. Throwback

These two teams played before in week 2, and Throwback dominated Kryptic in a 15-minute 5-0 steamroll.  Unless KG has some ridiculous and absurd Freight heavy strat up their sleeves (hi Elotana), history is probably going to repeat itself.  5-0 Throwback

Cardboard Robotz vs. eXult

This should be a lot of fun to watch.  eXult is basically a powerhouse now --  they've brought in in some CEVO-P/ESEA-I skill and experience with former Xensity members zeroskillz and thenoid (to replace OhNoes and Jack Frost).  The Robotz are going to have a lot of trouble with this improved squad, despite having some high-level talent on their roster as well.  King Rab will need to dole out a lot of punishment if they want to have a chance, but xeLorate's team is just too strong at this point to lose to anyone.  Keep an eye on rline for eXult -- if he starts sniping on mid, it won't be pretty.  5-2 eXult

Good luck guys!