RA only dropping 10 maps to prospecting DRG and TE coming out on top against a hopeful FPX proves to be a superbanger, as two teams that imo have popped up out of nowhere within the span of these three acts of the tournament fight each other to prove who is the better team. Both teams finished Top 3 last Act, and this could potentially be the match to find out who truly deserves to be on top. Considering the fact that both teams gave their opponents a walloping in their last respective series played, I think I'm going to shut up, and let the teams speak for themselves.
Will Rare Atom triumphantly add two points to their map record against TE of 4/0? Or will Trace Esports finally get their much needed revenge and send valanalysis's crew to the lowers? Stick around to find out!

Personally I think it's going to be a close 2-1 RA win but it'll be a funny story if RA wins 2-0 again and it'll be an adventurous tale if TE gets their highly anticipated revenge...

First prediction that actually require skill. And I fucked it up lmao. Yeah FPX played subpar compared to TE, yes they did win Lotus, which they kinda had to win because it's their signature map, and yes they got slammed on both Sunset (one of TE's best maps) and Ascent. Overall, very strong, solid, and dominant game from Trace, some of their executes were simply phenomenal, and their ability to put a strangle-hold on a lost FPX really proved to be the takeaway from the match, as TE marches on to their goal of becoming the best Chinese team. They've already proved that they can take maps away and even defeat EDG. Now all they need to do is to show the rest of the region that they are just better.

Probably just pressure from LAN ngl.

Okobotro🗿

Jeez. I mean, perhaps the GC scene is just too small in China to get proper funding or smth, but then again, TYLOO isn't really known for their financial factor either.

One decent but highly situational Omen tip I can give you is that:
In 1v2's, you could try to smoke somewhere on site and fake tp so they think you go into the smoke :)

I'm sure that with the scene growing and stuff they'll be forced to crack down on all that bad stuff.

Very interesting!

May I have a gander at it?

Atone for all your sins and hope the father takes you or smth idk

My memory is actually very bad for some reason... sometimes I ask "how are you" to my friends two-three times before they remind me that I've already said it lol

ignore this

I really like nice walks along the beach!

I know that 4 is an unlucky number in some cultures or smth but I don't see a problem with it in this case...

Prime nAts is one of val history best players, so you'd be right in saying that someone like yay could be second to him.

You didn't have a reason to make such a based roster, good job!

What's issue with 4 stars?

I'm going to get so cancelled :(

This is very difficult. But I think it looks something like this:
EMEA > Americas > Pacific >= China
People are sleeping on CN imo, and EMEA is still objectively speaking the best region. Heck, they've got FNC and countless amazing talents. NA teams are overrated and imo LEV is the only remaining savior of Americas. Sentinels and C9 just don't look that good.

Your birthday should take priority my friend... when is it?

I don't think there is a need for me to say too much about the prospects of this series, as I doubt that the TBD team will affect the outcome of this highly predictable series. Both TES and 17G have proven themselves in the group stage, and I think the last thing we need would be for them to experience the inevitable slammer that is EDG. I think that this match could prove instrumental in predicting the future EDG matches, because they have to get a good win here if they're looking to win this tournament like the last two. And as proven by Act 2, with the loss against Trace Esports, we know all too well that EDG is not untouchable. They can be touched, they can be cut, and they can collapse like any other team if the opponent play correctly. Of course, I acknowledge the fact that either TES or 17G downing EDG would be a very impressive if not almost impossible feat, but there's always the excitement of an upset here.
Regardless, EDG 2-0 win.

Tough match for both teams to be honest. Bilibili's looked decent and Attacking Soul Esports have just looked straight up strong. It's been a while since Bilibili has faced ASE, and I can say with confidence that this time will not be like the last two times, where BLG came out on top. To be honest, I think this series is one I was looking forward to more, because who doesn't like to see clashes between two of the top teams in a region? Anyways, BLG looked great against LGD, getting the second map 13-0, but I think ASE will show them out the door just fine. Compared to their performance in Masters Tokyo, and acknowledging the upgrades they have made to their roster and strategies, I think it's safe to say that this game might result in an ASE win.
ASE 2-1 win.

He dropped 42 :)

Rare Atom vs Dragon Ranger Gaming, a matchup I think was always bound to happen, with a proven team like RA against a rising team that may be trying to prove itself. I'll lay out the given facts: Rare Atom is the favorites to win this series. Not many people know about DRG, but I do. I know about the team with the godly sentinel player in vo0kashu, and I know about the clutch skills of maizi and the composed duelist that is TvirusLuke. I saw their demolition job against TEC, and it almost brought a tear to my eye just how well they shut them down. However, RA is not TEC. stew is not Abo, MarT1n is not B1ack. RA is on a completely different level from TEC, and I think that may very well prove to be the nail in the coffin. I'm not saying that DRG will not put up a fight, but I think considering all factors, RA should be the ones to win this series, be it a hard fought 2-1, or a staggering 2-0.

RA 2-1 win, trust in DRG's will to fight.

It's a new tournament for TE, and it's another opportunity for Flex1n to realize his team's dream of become just like big daddy EDG (that's cringe I'm sorry). While watching the FPX-RNG game, one thing I took away was that FPX is indeed a top Chinese team. The way they retook sites and the overall dominance they showed was not due to RNG's misplays in any way. In fact, I'd say that FPX has a very good chance at beating TE this very match. I understand, TE really blew my expectations out of the water by beating EDG 2-0 and dominating them on Lotus. However, after getting thrashed 3-0 and watching FPX play Lotus (which they are great at), I think there's a very good chance that we get to see a banger tomorrow.

2-1 FPX win.

I don't follow NAVI but in my opinion cNed is the better player overall.

Sure, but he's the most solid duelist in CN after Zmjjkk

Duelist: whzy (BLG)
Initiator: AAAAY (FPX)
Sentinel: shark (KBG) or yosemite (BLG)
Controller: Xiaonuo (RNG) or Flex1n (TE)
Flex: BerLIN (FPX)

They can, just not this match. Imo RNG should be favorites against any team in the first lower bracket match.

On youtube, definitely... But I think on Huya or bilibili or whatever the chinese streaming sites are there will be more...

Ah I see what you're talking about now...
Yeah it kind of does. The three CN tournaments have all had different bracket formats lol.

No need to thank me, it's simply a hobby of mine :)

What's the issue here?

What strong parties is Americas composed of? Leviatan?
I think EMEA is not a one team religion. Sure, many of the teams did not achieve greatness in the international tournaments, but I think it would be very ill-decided and naive to make such a preposterous claim that EMEA is a one team religion, especially going into the 2024 season. Personally, I believe that many teams will start to show up as great teams and that EMEA will actually be a multi team religion this year.
I've been closely following the antics of the Chinese religion, and I can tell you that there are more than just three good parties. In fact, I'd say there are at least six factions in the religion that could challenge for an activity of high holiness such as the revered "Masters" tournaments. Of course, it is without a doubt that the Edward party remains the most influencial as well as the most powerful.
I do not follow the teachings of APAC so I cannot make any insightful comments on it.

But this doesn't have anything to do with yay?

haha good one 😂

Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane

6'0

Intrinsically biased but it's alright...

Fair.

No need to thank me, I just thought you made some good choices ;0

Hmmmmm. Okay. How about this: If you were out with your lads on a nice holiday evening, what would something all of your mates agree to do?

Favorite non online activity to do in your freetime? (ex. reading a novel, tending to tomato plants, knitting, etc)

Agreed. nAts is a great player.

Big names only...

Solid pick'em!

That's very debatable.

Team Liquid🥺

Ah I see

Got it. Thanks!