what teams do you think that played insane in Stage 1 do you think will be exposed in Stage 2 + what teams that missed Shanghai do you think will be way better in time for Stage 2?
C9 - they had a really good stage 1 but all of their success is off the back of OXY they don't have a solidified second option + they have a below average macro,
G2 - Rely on too many hero plays and usually tend to throw rounds aren't at the level as teams like 100T and SEN (in their best form) their reads/gambles rarely tend to pay off and they don't condition their opponents well to a point where they are constantly worried about lurks/set plays.
FNATIC - A very fluke win vs Team Heretics in the Stage 1 Grand Final they don't look like they are in their 2023 Form at all.
NRG - they will have a better second stage, they haven't had success with Victor primary duelist but they do have a very good chance at competing with teams like Gen.G.
Honorable Mentions
SEN - won Madrid but nose dived right after have played the second most rounds this season and burnt out in Stage 1 but I believe they will come back hungry and debatably be better than they we're in Madrid, adding consistency they have a lot of off days + i've heard they've been frying in scrims.
DRX - they've parted ways with Stax but they have a very good roster I think they will definitely be good for Stage 2 if their new igl can untie a lot of their knots and find new levels of success in stage 2 .
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