Off the stage, it was a relatively normal (but not without controversy) week for the Overwatch League, which gave us the opportunity to focus exclusively about what was happening in game. Week 4 was obviously marked by the amazing series between the New York Excelsior and Seoul Dynasty, but apart from that, we are awarded with many good – and not so good – moments as we approach the final week leading to Stage 2’s playoffs.

With 6 teams fighting for the three spots it is hard to predict who will actually make it, even if the actual momentum gives an indication that sides such as New York and the Los Angeles Gladiators have their noses ahead. However, if the past weeks have shown something is that nobody can sit comfortably for too long: one bad series is all that takes to turn the tides, and with the top teams reaching the final week close to each other in the standings, even the sides considered favorites today can find themselves in a whole different situation one week from now.

But enough talking! Once more, I prepared a small list of the good, the bad (and the ugly?) moments of past week, so sight tight and enjoy!


Korean Showdown in LA

Let’s start right away with the highlight of Week 4. Indeed, it was an epic game, that managed to deliver all expectations, ultimately decided only on Ilios after 4 close maps – with the happier end for the New York Excelsior.

The first map, Hanamura, set the tone for the remaining with the series, with the teams exchanging blows on attack, with both sides not being able to hold the other’s offense, resulting in both teams having more than enough time on the bank for further attempts. Hanamura also delivered perhaps the best play of the week, with Libero going berserk to annihilate the Dynasty – but more on that later. At the end, the Excelsior with an amazing attack at the dying moments, took away the lead.

But right after Seoul showed why they are perhaps the best team on control maps, taking away a convincing win on Nepal before taking the series lead after a likewise impressive show on Hollywood. However, SBB and the rest of New Work definitely didn’t want to walk away with a defeat, and despite a great show by ryujehong, who went berserk on Gibraltar –NXE handled Seoul their first loss on Escort.

It all came down to Ilios, and although they didn’t went for a Widowmaker pick to contra-balance Fleta’s, New York swept it 2-0 to take the series, cementing their position at the top of the standings after this crucial win.

Player of the series for me have to be Saebyeolbe. Like, the numbers above can’t lie. Yes I know, numbers and statistics aren’t everything, but SBB provided his team many times with the opening kill to start a fight, leaving the path open for the rest of the Excelsior to take the upper hand. But still, 62 final blows are simply outstanding for the player who I consider now to be the best Tracer in the world. 


Seoul Shutdown

Despite the good showing against New York, Seoul Dynasty clearly felt the tough defeat, suffering an even harder blow in the second full Korean series of the week. Simply put, they were completely chanceless against a London Spitfire who was superior in every single aspect, and the 4-0 sweep was more than deserved.

With Woohyal and Profit wreaking havoc, Seoul was simply unable to contain London’s aggression, leaving their supports – especially ryujehong – unprotected from deep engages in their defensive backline. Even with some good individual performances, such as from zunba, an unorganized and lost Seoul was an easy prey for a decisive Spitfire, who with the win, have put themselves in a good position to try to defend their Stage title.

And to end it up, a fun fact (courtesy of Reddit, thanks for that one!): considering Seoul’s core came from LunaticHai, and London was mainly formed by GC Busan members, the latter is now 14-0 up in maps against Seoul/Lunatic. Another proof that Seoul is simply unable to play against more aggressive sides?

Closing Stage 2, Seoul will try to recover from the disastrous week against Houston and Florida, two match-ups where it should come out ahead. Meanwhile for London, it has in form of Shanghai and a struggling Dallas perhaps the easiest schedule of the entire top 6. Even better for, the Spitfire doesn’t depend on any results from other teams, with 2 4-0 wins against the two bottom-tier sides sufficing to send London straights to the playoffs.


GLADiators

First and foremost, excuse me for the terrible pun. Am I forgiven? Good. Well, nonetheless, the Los Angeles Gladiators obviously have reasons to be happy and, following two hard fought wins for yet another 2-0 week, are now masters of their own destiny as we approach Week 5. But it won’t be easy to secure a spot in the Top 3: the Philadelphia Fusion is hungry for success themselves, following a very positive 8-0 week.

And if last week’s series against Houston showed us anything, is that the Gladiators, capable of playing an involving Overwatch, can be at times extremely unstable: after completely shutting down the Outlaws on King’s Row, they delivered an apathetic performance on Gibraltar, looking lackluster and out of ideas. But led by Fissure, they put themselves back together, and still managed to walk away with a very important win to further fuel their ambitions.

However, even if they don’t manage to get to qualify to the playoffs, the Gladiators will have reasons to smile and look back to Stage 2 positively: coming all the way from 8^th to the top in the span of just one month is definitely no small feat, and should be regarded as an important step for second half of the season.


Chapeau off to Florida

And another team who definitely needs some praises is the Florida Mayhem:  despite losing to the Gladiators, this week proves that it is finally playing like a true team, following such a hard start to the season.

With the synergy being there, the results are starting to appear, which obviously raises everybody’s morale: Logix for example was a monster against the Valiant, completely shutting down the favorites, especially in the first two maps, where he got over 30 eliminations (and conceding only 5 kills). The player had such an impact that fans heavily criticized the decision to sub him out for the final maps against the Gladiators, with Manneten claiming it was a tactical choice. Fair enough.

Apart from that, it is good to see Florida, a team who arrived to the League with high expectations, being able to perform at the level most people expected from them. Closing its participation in Stage 2 against Seoul on Friday, the Mayhem will try to prove that the recent games aren’t mere coincidence, but the result of hard work and dedication by all its members.


Dallas pinned

Meanwhile in Texas, things continue to be hard for the Dallas Fuel: two more games, two more losses, no maps won. With many counting the time until the next bomb drops, maybe the most iconic in-game representation happened in the match against Philadelphia, with Eqo and the rest of the Fusion pinning the entire enemy team against their backs, not allowing them even to properly leave the spawn room.

“It’s just rude.”

Talking about Eqo, well, he really was a big rock in Dallas’ shoes.

Libero with the 5K

I actually wanted to write a long text, describing every moment of the play who marked the Overwatch League week for me. But better just to watch it (again): Ark powers Libero up, and the rest (and Seoul) is history.

Jehong pwning Libero

That must have hurt Libero’s pride. Looking for a perfect flank to take down the Dynasty’s attack, he didn’t expect ryujehong’s perfect reflexes, using his skills to take down the star Genji, proving yet again that Zenyatta is much more than just a support.

And that would be all for this week. Any suggestions, tips or feedback? Let me know below! Until next time!


(Photos courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment)