Here is my pickems for you guys to see how I feel these playoffs will end up.
I have to say I was sleeping on Chinese teams; I really did not expect them to be that good.
that said my picket was
70 points
4.4% / 1292 users
https://www.vlr.gg/pickem/d86ab519
Well this good be a long thread if you like analyses, join me please.
I'll be editing this post, if you like to ad something we all agree, I'll do that.
LET'S COOK!
PRX: I did not watch enough (2 maps) to have a decent idea how good they are actually. But they won the league, so I'm joining the train here and saying that PRX is a top contender.
It looks like they are innovating a lot with comps, and it is working. Unpredictable teams are always scary.
If you are an NA fan, you know that C9 is "our PRX" in terms of aggression and crazy stuff. As I said, this kind of playstyle can surprise a lot of teams in the beginning but does not work in the long run in a competitive league.
That said, Masters Tokyo is a short tournament, and they can win it.
DRX: I really expected them to performed better, I feel like they still too predictable, the match DRX vs EG in group stage showed us that.
But whatever they won against EMEA seed 3, they deserve to be in the playoffs.
PRX vs DRX: we can all agree PRX is favorite here right.
__
FNC: 2nd EMEA seed. They have had one loss this entire year so far.
They have looked like the most dominant team in EMEA, showing they are a solid team (despite losing the finals).
Anyone discounting this team because of one loss is just wrong; they are still one of the favorites of the tournament.
NRG: 2nd NA seed and a solid team, lost to LOUD 3x0 in a Grand Final but all maps were close (13x9; 13-11; 13x11), they can win Masters Tokyo too.
FNC vs NRG: This match have no favorites. If you are an EMEA fan thinking FNC will destroy NRG you are delusional.
____
TL:
EDG:
TL vs EDG
____
LOUD: Looking like the best team in the world, they always perform better in playoffs and are heavily rumored to have new strategies saved up for masters Tokyo. They play an adaptable style that allows them to play faster and slower depending on the round and how the other team is playing. This is all due to Saadhak one of the best midrounders in all of Valorant and their 2 biggest stars Less and Aspas who are both able to direct rounds and reads off of their insane ability to get kills on their own.
EG: a team composed of an old core of semi-tier 1 pros, has shot up to the highest levels of Valorant after the pickup of Demon1. EG used to be the underdogs, but have certainly proved they deserve to be on the stage. They play a very adaptable attack side, which means they like to play to other team’s weaknesses. Their defense side on the other hand is the opposite of scrappy. They like to play for retake and they like to find advantages through smart trap plays. They have never gotten close to beating Loud, but with their individual form right now they look like they could be pulling off any upset.
LOUD vs EG: This match has no favorites (yeah, I'm a loud fan, but EG is looking scary, bro).
I'd say loud (53% vs. 47% EG).