The Vitality Dilemma

Team Vitality have been a staple in the Rocket League scene with a dominant history, having qualified for worlds all but one season since their entrance in season 5, including their season 7 victory.

The French super team is certainly not one lacking quality, comprised of veteran Fairy Peak!, who joined the team in their very beginning after his success with Mock-It, Kaydop, who was added to the team after his success as a key pillar in the Dignitas dynasty, and Alpha54, the Season 7 European MVP and considered one of the strongest players in the new age of European RLCS.

After Alpha’s joining on January 15 back in 2020, the team is now in their 3rd season together. Following a 2nd place finish in Europe in Season 9, and victory at the European RLCS X Championship, where they dethroned the kings (BDS), Vitality were expected to be one of the top teams in the 2021-2022 season.

But their fall split debut was anything but one of a top team, as Vitality shockingly went 0-3 in the swiss stage. Although Vitality did recover to somehow scrape into the Stockholm major largely thanks to a 2nd place in regional event 2 and some poor performances from rivals, the cracks continued to show.

In Sweden, they were dismantled by the other major region teams, and only managed to scrape a win over Era Eternity. With the 1-3 disappointment, there were clearly issues at Vitality’s heart, in particular Fairy Peak. Yes, he did come down with food poisoning prior to the event, which clearly had an issue, but the once European golden striker managed just 4 goals in 16 games at Stockholm, the 4th lowest out of all 48 attendees.

Despite the set back, Vitality had still proved themselves worthy of a top 5 spot in arguably the world’s toughest region, and had prime opportunity in spring to bounce back and prove that the Stockholm major was merely a mishap.

Unfortunately for Vitality, the mediocrity largely continued in the beginning of winter, as they were demolished by Karmine Corp‘s relentless offence, and fell twice to Endpoint, sending them home in 5th-6th, yet still clinging onto more than promising major chances.

However, in the 2nd event of winter, Vitality crumbled. They went 0-3 in groups with losses to Misfits, Dignitas and 00 Nation, none of whom would go on to place top 3 in the event, and appeared thoroughly outclassed. They looked slow, they looked hesitant, and they looked like their age was catching up to them.

Kaydop and Fairy Peak are two of the greatest players to have ever graced this game, there’s no doubt about it. But in an esport were youth and flare is king, questions will undoubtedly be asked about whether the pair of 23 year olds, especially Fairy Peak, have still warranted themselves a spot on this prestigious lineup.

Despite still having a slim chance at qualifying for LA, they still sit 80 points out of 5th position, and off recent form, it would take a miracle to qualify. Thus, it may be time for Vitality to look forward to the future and begin a rebuilding stage around Alpha, who has the ability to be one of the world’s best, and one of the veterans, perhaps Kaydop, playing a Turbopolsa like role in the team.

There are plenty of players who will be on the market, with Zen coming off age, the potential to poach Oski or Atow from Team Liquid’s desperate grasps, or attempt to pluck a high performing player from one of the lower ranked teams.

Whatever the change is, be that Fairy Peak returning from almost career worst form, a change in team play style, or an alteration of team personnel, it will need to be precise if Vitality wants to not only see themselves competing at the spring major and world championship, but also back in the list of contenders where they rightfully belong.

Is this the end of this French powerhouse’s dynasty? Or will they find a way to bounce back, as the best seemingly always find a way to, time and time again.