(ESEAnews) - This week sees Mihalys Flow face both Mixup and br0. Will Mihalys remain undefeated? Watch the Mixup game @ 11:30 EDT on Wednesday and the br0 game @ 11:00 EDT on Thursday to find out!
ESEA TF2 INVITE SEASON 11 - WEEK 4:1
High_Rollers_Gaming TF2 vs Dont Trip · cp_warmfront · Fri, May 4th at 1:30pm
Despite a loss to Mixup last week, Quantic seems to be picking up steam and regaining a bit of their old composure. Recent scrims show the b4nny and the scouts to be as dominant as ever and shade seems to have warmed up to the team. However, the soldier department leaves much to be desired. Tyrone’s 20 hrs/2 weeks hasn’t been doing him any favors in the DM department, and Dave’s style of not actually doing any damage doesn’t seem to work well at all.
HRG’s disappointing performances of late have left them in a tough situation just shy of the coveted 4th place LAN spot. Rumors are circulating of a roster shakeup of their own, catalyzed by the pickup of the infamous LAN-dodger Kermit. Omar is likely moving to medic, dante back to scout, Rick to roam, and Kermit to demo. The moves are questionable at best, especially when Kermit’s history is taken into consideration.
It remains to be seen if the changes are enough to salvage HRG’s LAN hopes, but it’s safe to say they won’t have much of an impact against Quantic. A day or two or scrimming simply isn’t enough to build what is essentially an entirely new team.
HRG[ 2 : 5 ] Quantic
Spacewhales vs Leviathan Gaming · cp_warmfront · Thu, May 3rd at 1:00pm
Br0 seems to be hot shit lately, rebounding from their initial 5-4 loss to Mihalys with a solid 5 win streak. Any doubts about the team lingering from the preseason were soundly squashed when they defeated Mixup in a close 5-4 last week on Gullywash. Barring any major lapses in dedication, they’re a lock for LAN and solid competition for the other top 3 teams.
Although LG stands at a pitiful 0-6, it’s clear that the team isn’t hopeless; the fact that the team is still alive after 6 soul-crushing games in invite is laudable in and of itself. While slow-and-steady may not win the race this season, it’s safe to say they’re primed to upset some of the lower-tier teams if they continue at their pace. Recent performances have shown marked improvement over those from the beginning of the season, including a 3-5 game against Quantic that’s particularly noteworthy.
Expect the usual loss from LG, but look for the improvements in their play that might point to better times ahead.
br0 [ 5 : 2 ] LG
Classic Mixup vs GOIN HEAVY · cp_warmfront · Thu, May 3rd at 1:30pm
Prediction by "squid":
Last season's LAN saw its conclusion on Warmfront, with Mixup beating Quantic 5-2. Moose and Relic were instrumental in the win, putting up big numbers and making important plays. With Platinum taking over for TLR, and Lansky (just recently) taking over for Relic, the Soldier play will probably be weaker than last season, especially considering the one night of scrimming Mixup has had with the new roster. Kbk is also taking over from Shrew, who had a rocky start to the season. Kbk's sweet southern charm and strong comms will definitely be an improvement in the medic category from this point onwards.
On the other hand, Flow is in their first season, and has yet to play any matches on Warmfront. One can only speculate that the Soup vs. Smaka match up will favor them heavily, particularly given the map. Flow also has the luxury of having played with the same roster all season thus far, which will benefit them with the exception of the scout matchup, as Enigma and Moose have played together for two seasons already. Ruwin and Shrugger will definitely be laudable opposition to this experience duo, and this matchup will probably be the deciding factor in mid fights. I do think Flow's record is somewhat deceptive at the moment, however, and doesn't underline the true reticence in the upper half of invite teams. Two 5-4 games against other top 4 Invite teams leaves a little to be desired for the potential 16-0 record previously attained by x6, and Flow will definitely have to stay on the top of their game to keep up the win streak.
While a win here would solidify their third seed spot, and potentially leave them in contention for the second seed, it is hard to imagine Mixup pulling an upset here. At this point, any given match up will favour flow until further notice - matches like these will really test this sentiment. Unless Flow really stumbles later on, this game doesn't bear any major LAN implications for them, and a loss would be far from devastating to their chances at the first seed.
Mixup [ 3 : 5 ] Mihalys
ESEA TF2 INVITE SEASON 11 - WEEK 4:2
Leviathan Gaming vs High_Rollers_Gaming TF2 · cp_warmfront · Wed, May 2nd at 1:00pm
HRG’s first test for their supposed new lineup comes tonight as they face the weakest team in the league. It’s hard to predict how HRG will perform given the questions surrounding their players, but it’ll be safe to assume whatever they cook up SHOULD be enough to beat LG. But HRG can’t take these “give me” matches for granted, lest they suffer a repeat of their loss to the Ducks.
LG[ 3 : 5 ] HRG
GOIN HEAVY vs Spacewhales · cp_warmfront · Fri, May 4th at 2:15pm
Prediction by Matt "vhalin" Bearslayer:
This match is just as hard to predict as it is as hard to push last on Warmfront. Match of the week right here, we have two of the strongest looking teams in invite facing off against eachother on the most random and volatile map in the rotation. Anything can happen on Warmfront, as its very unforgiving due to its randomness at mids, and the difficulty of pushing out of last or second. Warmfront is the most unorthodox map currently played outside of Gravelpit or Viaduct. This match could honestly go either way but due to the ruwin and soup wonder combo I just don't see Mihalys flow losing this.
Mihalys [ 5 : 3 ] br0
Dont Trip vs Mighty Ducks · cp_warmfront · Wed, May 2nd at 1:00pm
Prediction by Matt "vhalin" Bearslayer:
The Mighty Ducks just beat HRG, and Quantic currently hasnt been as strong as they have been in the past. If there was a thunderous win in invite this week it would be here in this match. Normally I would easily predict this match in favor of Quantic, but Ducks are looking strong lately and Quantic hasnt been looking as dominant as we're used to seeing them. Despite Quantics unlucky streak lately I don't think b4nny or clockwork would ever let it happen.
**Quantic [ 5 :**3 ] Ducks
INVITE POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 4
1. Mihalys Flow -- (~)
2. srsly br0 -- (UP 2)
3. Classic Mixup -- (~)
4. Quantic Legacy -- (DOWN 2)
5. Mighty Ducks -- (UP 1)
6. High Rollers Gaming TF2 -- (DOWN 1)
7. Leviathan Gaming -- (~)
Gullywash answered quite a few questions, but raised some new ones as well. Mixup's games against br0 and Quantic answered the ordering of the top 4, but HRG's surprise loss to Ducks showed that their HRG's hold on #5 was anything but set.
Originally published on ESEA on 5/2/2012, 5:22 AM by 11enigma.
Archived from ESEA TF2 Invite S11 - Week 4 Predictions as part of tf2esports.com's preservation of ESEA's TF2 coverage. All rights remain with the original author and ESEA; reposted for historical reference.