Challengers Finals – Pool A Preview
Aw0babobs – Abuzah, Cobra, Breszy, Lyynnz
This French speaking roster comes into the Challengers Finals as clear favorites off the back of a dominant win in Toronto where they took the Grand Finals in a 4-0 sweep. A team with four players each capable of picking up the slaying if somebody is slacking, they are dominant across all game modes and the whole team will be looking to impress as they each try and earn their shot in the CDL for the 2024 season.
Player to Watch – Abuzah
The near unanimous challengers MVP, Abuzah will surely be receiving much attention during the off-season. Having averaged an insane 1.31 KD over all four Challengers Elite stages, he is a dominant slaying force that can be relied on in the biggest moments. What more can you say about Abuzah? Any CDL fan watching should expect to see him in the CDL next season.
NRK Anarky – Cruze, Lunarz, Dak, Whiz
A mostly American roster rounded out by New Zealand’s Cruze, this team has been a consistent threat throughout the majority of the NA Challengers season. The duo of Cruze and Dak have placed inside the Top 8 at all four challengers LANs, and new addition Whiz joins off the back of a 4th place finish in Toronto. They’re a strong roster across the board who don’t rely on the individual talents of any one player but combine good fundamentals, communication and teamwork.
Player to Watch – Dak
Dak’s performances at the beginning of the season earned himself multiple trials for CDL Teams, sadly missing out in each one. He will be looking to showcase that form again to close out the season and lead his squad to a deep run in Vegas. Dak is an aggressive slaying SMG who found most of his success coupled alongside the selfless playstyle of Whiz, their reunion could be frightening for the competition.
Decimate – Bink, Flames, Estreal, Noysii
This American team formed shortly before Toronto and has only impressed in their short period together. They ran through the winners bracket in Toronto before eventually falling to Aw0babobs in the Grand Final. This team is incredibly strong in hardpoint building most of their success off of dominant victories in Map 1s.
Player to Watch – Noysii
A veteran of the NA Challengers scene, Noysii has been picking up top placements for years now but has never quite managed to fling his own name into the spotlight. During the MW2 season his performances have only gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed, culminating with him leading the entire NA region in KD during the Stage 4 Elite.
Team Smog – Dylan, Couti, Coorsa, Coti
Finally we have the squad from LATAM. Although they cruised through their three team qualifier, they have found themselves with a daunting task facing off against the current LAN Champs in their first matchup. They are effectively a pickup team due to former teammates not having Visas but they are looking to do some damage, not just make up the numbers.
Player to Watch – Coti
A difficult team to judge but the most highly touted from conversations with regional observers is Coti. The Costa Rican SMG player will have to produce some special gameplay to help his team pull off an upset or even two.
Group Predictions – Aw0babobs & Decimate
It’s hard to go against the two Grand Finalists from the last event but rest assured that NRK are by no means a push over. Team Smog go in with little to no expectations which may benefit them. People shouldn’t forget that Decimate took down Aw0babobs in the Winners Final meaning that the group winner is by no means a formality.
