Here are my team rankings for Masters 1: Reykjavik. This is assuming that everyone can play such as braveaf for FNC since it is difficult to rank teams if they have a substitute. This is the hardest ranking I have ever done, mostly due to the fact that only three of these rosters have played internationally before (without roster moves). I threw in three numbers for this ranking. The first number represents my grade for the average performance I expect out of teams (1-100), the second gives what I believe to be their peak (1-100), and the third is just a grade for their stage 1 performance (1-100).
S TIER: This tier is too big, but I don't know which teams shouldn't be here.
1) The Guard: (80,90,90) The number one spot is super difficult, and I could easily see TGRD struggling in the playoffs. This is a solid overall team that I predicted to be top 5 NA before Stage 1, but that tournament will be considered an over-performance if they don't do well at LAN.
2) G2: (80,95,75) I thought G2 was severely underrated, but a slow start combined with roster turmoil has really hurt their chances. The individuals in this team are insane, but I am still not sold on the IGL situation.
3) Team Liquid: (75,95,65) Liquid have been super disappointing this year, and if they don't find their previous form, they will not make it very far. Similar to G2, I think this roster is reaching the point where if they cant figure it out, they should reconsider restructuring the team around an IGL.
4) LOUD: (75,90,85) This team has never lost a match, and it got better and better later in the tournament. The high skill level across the board separates this team from any other in Brazil, but what really stands out to me is their strategic prowess. They have flaws, but the eye test will tell you that they are always setting up cool plays.
5) OpTic Gaming: (75,90,80) The revival of Victor's form has kept OpTic afloat, but it has coincided with crashies and yay falling off. This team is still very dangerous and could easily be number one. I also trust them in high pressure situations more than TGRD.
A TIER: Really good teams that might lack the firepower if an S tier team is on their game.
6) Fnatic: (70,80,80) I think their group stage was a bit of an over-performance. Mistic was one of the worst statistical performers at Champions but became one of the best this year. I think the strategic aspects of this roster go farther than the individual skill although Derke is great. I trust this team to reach their peak more than most of the other teams on this list, but I don't think their peak is the highest.
7) DRX: (65,80,70) This new look roster has been solid but unspectacular. Their main competition in OnSlayers began to get known as having extremely poor fundamentals. As a team that has continuously just missed out, I don't think their roster moves really change that much.
B TIER: Quality upset picks.
8) Paper Rex: (60,75,70) I thought Jinggg made them the best APAC team at the end of 2021, and this tournament has not disappointed. As fun as this team is, there are still some weak links, and their style is way too loose. When their duelists run amok they can challenge anyone, but I don't see them winning if one of them has a bad game.
9) NIP: (60,80,70) I think this team has better firepower across the board than PRX, but the sample size is so small that it is hard to tell. If they handily beat Leviatan I would probably put them ahead of PRX. This team isn't on the strategic level of LOUD, but in my mind, they are better than any BR team that made it to an event in 2021 (Vikings may have been better but they were capped by the lack of high end firepower).
10) KRU: (60,80,65) It may be surprising to see them this low, but I think this team got overrated by a nice upset run at Champions. They keep representing LATAM because only one team is even within two tiers of them. I could see them making another top 4-8 run, but I think a tournament win is a bit out of their grasp.
C TIER: Probably not quite at the level of the other teams.
11) Leviatan: (55,75,60) They have done really well lately, but they have never gotten past the best South American teams. A good win against NIP could really help them and KRU into the higher tiers.
12) XERXIA: (55,70,65) Losing Patiphan was a big blow, but this team is still good. They have not been as dominant as before, however, they look fairly stable. This team would be an interesting upset pick against the B tier teams.
13) ZETA Division: (50,65,60) Japan has always been a bit out of place on the international stage. I would prefer that they qualify through Korea instead of getting their own spot. While other regions compiled their talent into better teams, Japan mostly just shuffled around. I think this roster is around the level of the old CR and probably won't do much.
Share your thoughts. Is there a team that is way too low? Way too high?
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