OCE Winter Regional Event 3 Preview: Who Makes It To LA

The Situation:

Heading into the final event of the RLCS OCE Winter Split, there's 4 teams with a realistic chance of qualifying for the LA major. Although mathematically, it is possible for R!OT or Bliss to qualify, almost everything would need to go right, and past results do not back them up, with the four in contention thus being Renegades, Dire Wolves, Pioneers and Ground Zero.

Renegades, who placed 9th-11th at the last LAN, lead the pack with 611 points following their recent win in the 2nd event of the split. A top 2 will guarantee qualification, a top 3 and the only scenario where they miss is a Dire Wolves 1st and Pioneers second, and all they realistically need to do is out-place one of the other top 3, and getting a decent placement, to book their ticket to America.

Pioneers, with 600 points, are the epitome of consistency, having made back to back to back finals appearances, but are still without the win. Top 2 also guarantees their ticket, and sitting in a very similar situation to Renegades, they just need to out-place 1 of their 2 high level challengers and obtain a high placing to qualify.

Dire Wolves sit a tad adrift at 571, but are still in with a red hot change of making it. Have to out-place one of their higher ranked competitors, with going out on level footing (such as 5th-6th tie) not enough to overtake, as well as a potential for point gap issues between 5th-6th and 4th with the Renegades. Definitely still a strong chance, and like the other top 3, a grand finals finish will guarantee they at the very least force a playoff with the Renegades, or punch their ticket to LA.

Finally, the outside chance of Ground Zero, sitting well back at 420. After qualifying for Stockholm, 7th-8th and 3rd place finishes have put the star-studded lineup of some of the most well known pros in OCE in a dire position. If two of their competitors above hugely bottle their event, then the door is left decently wide open for GZ to steal the spot, but assuming decent performances from the above teams, Ground Zero would need a win and 2/3 of Dire Wolves outside of top 4, Pioneers outside top 6 and Renegades outside top 6 to happen. It's possible, but will make for a tough event that will require a lot of luck for Ground Zero to succeed.

Group A:

After their victory in regional event 2, the Renegades will be looking to put their stamp on the competition early and prove they’re still the kings of OCE in what is likely to be a dominant showing in Group A. Behind the Gades, almost anything could happen between these 3 teams looking to break their way into the scene, but our prediction is that Antic, a team with potential to push top 8, and Punjabi Power, a newly formed lineup that combines experience with flair, will be the two to progress through to playoffs, after a tough closed qualifier performance from Trident.

Group B:

With their chances of making LA dangling by a thread, you can be sure that Ground Zero will do everything in their power to somehow cling onto major qualification, and will comfortably top their group. Conversely, Just Go For It, a team largely void of any RLCS experience, will have a tough time, whilst 1620 Kings’ recent form will help them scrape through in 2nd above Big Goose.

Group C:

One of the more tightly contested groups, this one is sure to have some close series’. Despite being pushed by each team, newly signed Pioneers should be able to top the group, with the rising Bliss just behind. Da Babies and The CEOs are hard to split, but Da Babies’ exciting style and developing team chemistry has us taking them for third place with a nail biting win over The CEOs.

Group D:

D certainly stands for death. There are absolutely no weak teams in this group, and if you’re a wolfpack fan, there would definitely be some worries about this group, however, we still have them clear at the top. After that, it’s a real toss up, as R!OT should have the experience to make it through, whereas Bandits looked strong enough in closed qualifiers, despite a recent change, to justify a win over Physicists when it matters most, but there are certainly still aspects, like their rotational errors, that can cause them some winnable series’s throughout the day.

Upper Bracket Semi-finals:

The 3 teams in any real contention for the major, and Ground Zero scrapping for worlds points, you can be sure that these match ups will be fought tooth and nail. Renegades looked very strong in the recent event and are more likely to perform under the pressure than Dire Wolves, and Ground Zero, frustrated at the team who initially ruined their chances, will send the Pioneers to lowers in an epic series.

Early Lower Bracket Rounds:

1620 Kings’ rising chemistry and confidence should be enough for a tight win over newly formed Punjabi Power, Bandits’ flair with their new lineup should be enough to overcome Bliss, Antic will turn back the clock to finally return to top 8, and R!OT will blitz past the far less experienced Da Babies.

In round 2, both R!OT and Bandits should have the poise to overcome their lower ranked opponents, before being defeated by the wolfpack and Pioneers, who will both be extremely hungry for a spot in LA and will certainly bring their best.

Top 4:

With top 4 confirmed, Ground Zero's hopes of making LA will be extinguished, and the disappointment could kick in with their results, sending them home in Championship Sunday straight sets. Conversely, in the lower semi final, this could shape up to be one of the most important matches ever, with loser staying in Australia whilst the winner booking their ticket to LA, with our prediction sitting as a game 7, overtime win for the young, rising super stars at Pioneers, who will then take a huge wave of momentum into their next two series's, before their hype inevitably dies down, handing Renegades back to back wins, back guaranteeing three new OCE LAN contenders.