Group A
dootkrew
another Race
les soldats
function zer0
1st. function zer0 - dav!O, DiggiTy, skz, FEZ, kurandus
I don't even think I need to put an explaination here, but hey, i'll do it anyway! fzer0 are the best team in the country right now, coming off an extended overseas campaign they are looking tougher then ever. One thing which has always given fzer0 the advantage over Australian teams has been their experience, a factor which has increased tenfold with their recent trip. Despite a loss to pure at the recent WCG Queensland qualifiers, fzer0 shouldn't have any troubles clearing this group.
2nd. another Race - rizE, Himanka, Snoopy, beNiz, psykE
Melbourne's latest experiment, aRace provides an interesting mix of old and new. On one hand you have three fifths of one of the most succesfull XR lineups in the teams history (rizE, Himanka and Snoopy). On the other side of the equation you have long time local players beNiz and psykE, from such teams as tNa, KING and xPosed. While psykE and beNiz have been around melbourne cs for a while now neither have managed to make a great impact on the national scene. To be totally honest, rizE Himanka and Snoopy alone should be enough to secure them wins over dootkrew and LCC1, but with the teams lack of experience there is no way they can even hope to topple fzer0.
Group B
anonymous Gamers
no Remorse
hyper
Clan Pure
1st. Clan Pure - chode, byron, trav, baz, yaman
Entering WGT straight off the back of an impressive victory over fzer0 at WCG qualifiers and a shiny new sponsorship deal with compLexity/JMC-esque StensGaming, pure will be more pumped then ever to take out the tournament. I honestly believe that along with Style pure are the only team in the country right now capable of snatching a national title away from fzer0. All that aside though, pure do have one nR to compete with, a team who are not to be underestimated. If the team aren't at their best then a loss to nR is very likely, however one thing pure are is consistent, and they should be able to take out Group B undefeated.
2nd. no Remorse - Somus, wstd, oxey, RooK, RasE
Sydney juggernaughts nR are back and looking for revenge. Coming off a dissapointing ESWC campaign, in which they failed to progress through the group stage (with a loss and a draw to the two WA reps) nR will be hoping to prove to everyone what they can really do. The drop in form from nR from the Pantheon National Cup to ESWC is mind boggling, and a recent loss to 96 at WCG.sydney doesn't make them look any better. This having been said, nR still has one of the most talented and experienced lineups in the country, and no matter how bad they play I can't see them losing to either aGamers or LCC2. However if they plan to go any further then 2nd in the group they will have to step it up and iron out their consistency issues (and drop Somus).
Group C
Volatile
Nox Noctis
Elusory
Immunity
1st. Immunity - c0ke, kram, sokjin, edison, jackal
This group is a really tough one to predict, having not seen elusory compete at a LAN event in Australia before. However I am confident in iM's ability, with c0ke and kram leading the scoreboard they should be able to walk over Sydney-siders Nox Noctis and LCC3 with ease. The match between iM and elusory will be one of the closest matches in group stages, with both teams obviously having great potential. Immunity have been in a form slump since their 2nd place finish at the Pantheon National Cup, but I am confident that this WGT is their time to show Australia that they still have it. iM to just scrap through Group C with the number 1 spot, helped along by some big play by c0ke.
2nd. Elusory - EatUAlive (aka BULLDOZER), Everain, Jas.S, Esp.Kick, Marine
I honestly don't know what to expect from these guys, having played them online and having seen their lan record within New Zealand I know that they are a good team. However as much as I probably should I just can't predict them above second place in this group. This is elusory's first LAN competition this side of the Tasman, and while I have faith in their ability, different playstyles and new pressure may prove too much for them. Despite this, there's just no way I can see either Nox Noctis or LCC3 getting the better of them.
Group D
Style
Ninety-Six
Check Gamer
Monks
1st. Style - Boomser, messi, SnAke, slaughT, simcore
The familiar face of Encore-Gaming re-emerges with a new name and a new international lineup. This WGT seems to be the unofficial New Zealand Cup, joining their countrymen elusory in Sydney will be Parallax.nz stars slaughT and Simcore. The lack of exposure these players have had in the Australian scene once again makes this hard to predict, but all accounts I have heard tell them to be rather spectacular. Either way, with Boomser, messi and SnAke at the helm, I can't see this team losing to anyone in their group easily. The one hurdle in Group D for Style will be Sydney team 96, who on a good day could definately push them to their limits. Also bear in mind that at the last ESWC Encore-Gaming only just managed to scrape through a relatively easy group on the first day (and then went on to place 2nd at the whole event) If this trend continues then they could be in trouble from some of the lower seeded teams.
2nd. Ninety-Six - Soren, Apoc, systEm, shaunR, busta
With a last minute lineup change, swapping long time starter cozEh for former Sublime and bronx player systEm, 96's ability to succeed remains uncertain. However, even with a surprise loss to Check at the WGT qualifiers, 96 should be able to get through this group with relative ease. Provided Apoc is on his game, there's not alot that Check or LCC4 will be able to do to stop them.
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