Now that we know all the ascension teams, I want to make an early prediction about these teams. I might do a modified preds after confirmation of all rosters. Let's get started. (Assuming these ascension teams retain their whole roster apart from 1/2 teams who have already announced changes)
APAC
SPG: (5-6th) If Talon, TS, and RRQ remain intact, they might challenge for the last champs spot. Throughout the year, they will look good but at the very end they will choke and some other team will advance to champs. Insane players though. They might do better but certainly not worse. 5/6th means they have to play ascension for survival but I believe next time they will win ascension comfortably.
Bleed: (9-10th) We might be looking at our first relegated team here. If they can pick up players from BOOM and Full Sense, they might somehow squeak into playoffs.
EMEA
APK: (7-8th) The crazy rostermania in Emea will shuffle teams guaranteed. If they can hold on to Kaajak, They might survive direct relegation. But without him, it will be a very difficult season to survive. I am talking like 11-12th.
GM8: (11-12th) This team does not fill me with confidence. But I might be completely wrong. Need to wait until all roster confirmations to properly assess this team.
AMERICAS
G2: (2/3rd) No excuses now. First year was more than they hoped for. Now the fact that Jawg is rumored to replace icy, it would make them much stronger. I am hoping for a 2024 Replica year but this time they go deeper in champs. Or they can completely crumble given the playstyle with Jawg does not bode well. But I am hoping for the former.
2GE: (7-8th) They have some good individuals. Might be the best Brazilian team in 2025 leaving LOUD, FURIA, and MIBR behind. Has the potential to pull out some shock results. I don't see them in direct relegation but you never know. But it would be tough for them to retain their tier1 status through ascension next year.
CHINA
XLG: (9-10th) Krystal leaving made my stocks for this team to go low. Although Rarga is a good player, he can't carry the whole team alone. This is another one of those teams that can be fully judged after all the teams are sorted out. Good igl with good mechanics will mean they place higher. Vice versa, they get relegated.
DRG: (7-8th) As much as I like this team for its goofiness, they are hella inconsistent. "Vookashu go kill" will not work in 2025 whatsoever. It seems that they are keen to sign SpiritZ (from Five Ace Esprots in VCT HK/Taiwan) which will be a great addition. But it's TVirusLuke's performance I am looking towards. Early VCT2024 form = Champs, Latter VCT2024 form = 11/12th. No in-between. They might even choke if they play Ascension next year.
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