this is based on current form, that's why trent is ranked so low. same thing with cryo, i don't think he has had enough experience on smokes roles (for example, his omen doesn't look great) and jett is not a good enough agent anymore to just take over games. definitely had flashes of greatness, the game against loud was a crazy performance, for examples, but i don't think he's as good of a jett/semi flex as others. i can see putting him in A though, definitely a high B here

trent looked quite poor after kickoff, especially on his signature sova. definitely was the guard's best player but on g2 he never really had a shining moment

i personally think eg's 2023 success was due to him in a big way/knowing how to use demon1. the vibe change around 100t has been actually crazy and they have looked really good at times. i think people rate him too low compared to other igls like saadhak/fns, and he has shown that he has the mechanical skill to take over maps

discussion on another post about s-tier players for each team in americas made me think of a tier list for all players

tiers are unordered, players are judged INDIVIDUALLY and not based on team success. note most of this is eye test RIGHT NOW, hence why certain players are ranked so highly despite no official matches and why some players (demon1) are ranked so low

feel free to ask why, i will explain my reasoning for specific players

S - world class, one of the best in their role/overall ability
narrate
cauanzin
zekken
aspas
boostio
verno
jawgemo
valyn

A - one of the best players in region at their role, passes the eye test
s0m
ethan
leaf
fns
mwzera
eeiu
kinggg
tex
oxy
supamen
keznit
mazino
johnqt
pancada
cortezia
heat
natank
jonahp
bang

B - good players of championship winning caliber, but are not their team's star player(s)
icy
gobera
c0m
havoc
mada
melser
zellsis
shyy
khalil
derrek
cryo
dgzin
tuyz
artzin
nzr
demon1
zander
asuna
v1c
pryze
yay
trent
raafa
zap

C - decent role players, just mid
adverso
nature
vinny
lz
xenom
xeppaa
mitch
silentzz
net

D - why is this person getting paid, shanks is better
mta

unironically think americas has a lot of good talent this year

recently a lot of igls have been making the transition from smokes/senti to initiator roles. obviously there is the argument that initiators are more "with the pack" and thus will lead to better calling, but i think the uncomfortableness on the role is doing more harm than good. for some igls there is some sense (fns has marved/som and saadhak had pancada/tuyz so they can both flex well and call) but for others it just ends up with the johnqt/narrate issue.

i feel like the role switches aren't necessary, a championship winning team can have an igl that plays a lurk/controller/senti playstyle. pretty much the same number of internationals these past few years were won by an ini/flex igl

flex igl:
munchkin geng
nobody edg
saadhak loud
fenis optic
redcar gambit

"traditional" igls:
boaster fnatic
johnqt sentinels
boostio eg
angel fpx

discuss

does he have a vct ace? i honestly can't remember one even though everyone on prx + benkai has one

johnqt
zeKKen
zeLLsis
ReduXX
CuRRy

only need johnqt to have double letters

(this means n4RRate is confirmed)