Division 1 Preview

2013-04-03 12:38 by Hooraytio

Get to know the clans of division 1 in this preview by Hooraytio.

Division 1 preview

It has been a long wait but the time has finally come for another installment of EQL. The prospect of getting many signups was slim but in the end the admin team stood there facing 20 clans for the 16th season of the appraised 4on4 league.

I will provide you with a short run down of the clans in division 1 and a few thoughts about what you can expect from them.

Anzas Tappra Gossar

With a friendly wink at the old Swedish clan Griffins Tappra Gossar this clan consisting of Finnish players signed up late for the tournament. This is a mix of old school stars and late bloomers which very well can secure a spot in the A-playoffs. Their immediate weakness will be the team play aspects and a bit of rust but that is probably true for a majority of the clans. This season will be all about individual skill during the first few games and get the team play going as fast as possible since it was a long time ago that we saw some real clan action. If Fix can muster some of his old time skills then these guys will be a tough nut to crack. Other noteworthy players are Hlt, Darkki and moje which I think will form their main quartet alongside Fix. Mazer and Dmt should be considered as strong backup players if anyone of the other 4 is afk. Should they miss the A-playoffs there will be little question about who wins the B-playoffs final.

Key to victory: Fix


Chosen

One of the few clans that have played in every season of EQL is back again with a new lineup. Former Chosen nemesis mm has joined the ranks together with Flintheart, Ake_Vader, Dive, Pollox and Defcon_5 while Hooraytio and Hagge remain from previous seasons. This clan has no hope of reaching the A-playoffs and is focusing on squeezing into the top 8 for a spot in the B-playoffs. The clan has seen a few practice rounds with various results. The rounds mainly showed that Chosen are way too good for division 2 but the team play is lacking. A semi final spot in the B-playoffs is their goal, even though it will be hard, and anything beyond is just a bonus. With last season’s lineup with players like Rikoll, Votary and Od it would have been a completely different story.

Key to victory: mm, best lineup as skill differs widely.


Crazy88

This well rounded clan has added more power to their DM2 lineup with brothers Od and Votary. Losing former member Niw to Immortals shouldn’t impede their game much since Niws main qualities are found on said map. Kingpin, Skillah, Moltas and Creature remain from the previous season as this clan continues its struggle for an EQL win. Last season these guys lost 3-0 in the semifinal versus Slackers but bounced back nicely for a 3-0 win versus Suddendeath in the Bronze game. No real weaknesses and some continuity from last season could work wonders for this clan as they should sail through to the semifinals in the A-playoffs.

Key to victory: Kingpin must perform on DM3. DM2 and E1M2 are safe.


Demolition Crew

The most resilient Polish clan is back again with mostly the same team as always. Some drama surrounded this clan when Shamoth was caught faking, in two other teams, and banned from EQL. However, seeing the scene dwindle in terms of activity and amount of players we welcome anyone who wants to play as long as they don’t break the rules again. He is not the first faker to get his ban lifted but hopefully the last (yeah right). This clan will pose a serious threat to most of the clans outside the top 4 and their DM2 game is lethal. Aside from Shamoth we will also see Tom, Pooll, Ponczek, Goniec, Fluartity, Faustov and Kloze. If these guys want to do some real damage they will have to go with Shamoth, Kloze, Pooll and Ponczek as often as possible.

Key to victory: Routine and experience from many seasons together.


Fraggers United

Led by Anza on QTV this clan is hoping that additions like Case and Katsku will weigh up losing Persuader to Immortals. If this clan can reach the B-playoffs it should be considered a great accomplishment as they are one of the weaker clans in this division. Kip, Culkey, Buggy and Katsku should form their top lineup unless Case can show some of his former flair. Anza and Pangela will also hold their own ground should one of the aforementioned players be missing.

Key to victory: Anzas coaching skills


Immortals

Immortals are back after missing a season and some major changes to their lineup. The core of Heddan, Ekz and Conus remain while prominent players like Rst, Phrenic and Dimman are missing. Shaka was in the lineup during EQL14 but didn’t play any maps. Persuader and Niw should have the greatest impact on Immortals performance but also Greco showed some promise during his stint with Paradoks2 during Salvation 3. A spot in the B-playoffs final will not surprise anyone.

Key to victory: Persuader, best lineup as skill differs widely


Oclan

Despite the ping disadvantage I consider Oclan the main contender for the fourth spot in the A-playoffs. Overflow, Vegeta, Squeeze and Karnage will be able to do short work of most of the clans outside of the top 4 and possibly challenge Anzas Tappra Gossar for a spot in the A-playoffs. Out of the remaining pool of GND, Thump4, Blood_dog and Blackbeard I think we will see Blood_dog the most. The key to victory will be a solid performance from Overflow since he will be sitting on the best ping.

Key to victory: Overflow and Squeeze performing at their best.


Suddendeath

Suddendeath has lost quite a lot of players from last season, most notably Razor and Phrenic but also Molecule and Grisling. Bps and Carapace are still here and will be accompanied by Ganon, from disbanded Paramedics, and Rst, from disbanded Too Cute. This clan is one of the few that has enough skill to sit atop the throne once the haze and dust clears in May. Bps and Carapace are used to big games by now but it remains to be seen if Ganon and Rst can deal with the pressure once the playoffs begin.

Key to victory: bringing Ganon and Rst up to par with Carapace and Bps as quickly as possible.


Suddendeath 2

A few former Suddendeath first team players combined with rising stars like Rio and Andeh will prove to be a fierce opponent for the clans in the B-playoffs. Trash has managed his team wisely by combining the individual skills of Locktar and Andeh with team players like Ok98 and Rio. I suspect Trash will take on a managing role and step in when he is really needed. Sajko haven’t played for a few seasons and should be viewed upon as a good filler when needed in pracs and perhaps the easier games of the spectra. It would be a disappointment for them if they didn’t reach the B-playoffs final but there are at least two really strong clans besides SD2.

Key to victory: Ok98 and Rio playing a solid tp role so Locktar can shine.


The Black Ants

The second Polish (mostly anyway) clan of the division is The Black Ants. These guys have played before in various setups but the addition of Essoid can prove to be helpful on DM3 as he is the mix master all night long. This clan will have a rough ride and a spot in the B-playoffs would be a nice highlight for them. Szturm, Er, Essoid and Kopytko will need ro bring on their a-game while Bolec hang around ready to jump in when needed. DM2 will most likely earn them the most points during the 10 games ahead.

Key to victory: Essoid must perform on DM3. DM2 will be pretty solid.


The Viper Squad

Seeing this clan in the list was a big surprise for me and also a hell of a gift to a scene in decline. Milton has brought back Xantom, Ihminen, Blaze and Diki from the gloomy shadows of idleness and recent pracs versus Suddendeath has shown that they have still got it. Last time around in EQL12 they won the division 1 final versus now disbanded Slackers with 3 to 1 securing their 6th win but has since then been inactive a part from a few practice rounds in 2011. If they get everything together I don’t see any other team denying them their 7th EQL title.

Key to victory: Milton. Routine and experience from many seasons together


Group game table prediction

This is how I think the table will look like after the group games.
If it ends like this I think TVS will win A-playoffs and Oclan will win B-playoffs.

The Viper Squad
Crazy88
Suddendeath
Anzas Tappra Gossar

Oclan
Immortals
Suddendeath 2
Demolition Crew

Chosen
The Black Ants
Fraggers United

Possible changes are Suddendeath trading places with Crazy88, Oclan swapping positions with Anzas Tappra Gossar, Chosen kicking out Demolition Crew from the 8th spot and Fraggers United leaving the last spot for The Black Ants. But realistically, that’s about it.


Best of luck! You will all need it. Unless you are Rikoll. Which you are not.

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