Bubkji's Fall Groups take aways: "FaZe might need new energy"

Surely, it must be Liquid. Nobody expected a wounded roster to be able to pick up the pace so fast. Twistzz proved at least short term that being an IGL doesn´t equal you to having 10-15 frags per game max.

Virtus Pro. They´ve had enough time together at this point, where we realistically can start expecting better and bigger things. They've objectively not gotten any real better since adding one of the best rifles of all time in the form of electroNic.

It's mind-blowing to have these mediocre results with one of the strongest rifle trios in the world on paper.

I generally just think it's the natural course of being a team. The combination of broky, karrigan and rain have played together for so long now, that it feels around the time that new energy might be needed.
The individual downfall of Ropz is showcasing other issues within the team. karrigans individual performance needs to be better if they want to have a chance at winning a lot of trophies in the near future.
But we´ve seen it before from FaZe, and they´ve managed to climb their way back to the top. We even saw it last year, but I do expect it to be tougher this time around.

Liquid, Cloud9 and NIP are the most exciting projects as of now.
Liquid have a real chance at competing in the playoffs, and C9 and NIP are looking to be potential gatekeepers of the top ten.

They just need to get a core they can work around, this might not be the 5 players that will go into playoffs. Time is needed, and with Xizt behind the project, I have a lot more faith than I´ve had in NIP for the last 3-4 years.
Finally, management understood the reality of the situation they were in.

Honestly, I'm gonna be harsh on interz, I don't think he has the level to compete at tier one in the long run. He's a great teammate who is able to do the dirty roles, but CS has developed too far beyond having a player like this, especially if he´s not the IGL.
ICY and Ax1Le will make or break this roster.

The presence of a guy like electroNic will dictate stuff in terms of how you will play T sides. Hopefully, he can lean back a bit and also learn some of the old ways of VP, as they did have good T sides on maps like Overpass. Right now it feels like they´re in an identity crisis, with no real vision.
On paper though, one of the strongest lineups firepower-wise.

It´s hard to judge off Group stages as time, as the goal for the bigger teams is simply to advance.
We saw Team Spirit testing their map pool quite a bit here, which is a sign of them having a tad less expectations compared to the other teams.
The only major worrying sign from my side was FaZe Clan.

I'd go for an underdog pick in the form of Heroic. They aren't the favourites, but I do think they have a real chance of upsetting some teams.
degster will likely be present, TeSeS and NertZ have been a fantastic combo, as well as VP and FaZe struggling. It could be the perfect cocktail.