EPT
World Team League/2023/Winter/Qualifier Disclaimer:
So this qualifier is the most competitive in the history of WTL without a doubt. There are at least 9 Teams in it in my opinion who can make Code S or may be better on paper than the weakest Code S teams. And they will be fighting together with 11 other teams for 6 spots to Code A! These then get joined by Berserker Esports and IG from last Season. I will rank IG and Berserker in this ranking, but they will be automatically placed in top 8 as they are invited to Code A. Also there are multiple loans/alliances in this qualifier spicing up the competition even more.
The Favorites for Code S
These teams have the biggest chance for Code S but with these rosters nothing is safe. MYG rly should learn their lesson and go and field their Korean superstars, for example, or they might get stopped.
1. MYG
MYG might as well be a WTL title contender. Bunny has not played in much, but he is the number 3 Korean terran. Ragnarok made top 4 at IEM but has fallen a bit in the second row behind solar again. Then there is strange, who is one of the strongest players in Europe for this qualifier. If they all 3 play, there is no stopping them. If they send Chinese academy players even once, tho, then this run is going to be over before its begun because nobody is playing around here.
2. Matcherino Esports
Astrea has been a bit weaker recently, but he and Nightmare are a solid duo. Future is getting stronger in Korea. Arrogfire is the biggest protoss talent since Maxpax. None of them has the pure Class of MYG, but they are all solid enough to make Code S in their own right.
Code A/Code S Contenders
This part of the ranking is very much in flux. Everyone can beat everybody here, especially on a bad/good day, and these teams can punch up to make Code S.
3.Freecs
I am not sure where to rank this team of allstars. All of them are past their prime, so I should probably place them lower, but they have plenty of experience. Their quality might have dropped, but their class is permanent, and I would love to see these legends of old perform for a last time. If this were a team in its prime, they would even compete to win Code S.
4.Twisted Minds
If Classic performs this, team will make Code S. Youngyakov is a solid backup who can secure the missing maps and so is Nicoract. If Classic flops once, they will fall.
5.CSO Blacer Titans
CSO just lost their strongest player to twisted minds, but due to an unholy Allince they got an upgrade. Krystianer will be trying his best together with Milkicow and Trifax to make Code S, and they form a solid trio who can make Code A but if anyone is missing they might not
6.Starcom
Starcom added Nightphoenix to their roster and with this now has 3 very solid players. They barely missed Code S last time due to Spirit beating Wayne, and now they are even stronger. But now we only have 3 places. Will this be enough?
7. Platinum Vultures
This may be a little biased placing, but this ph roster has experience in Code S and showed they can compete and always have close fights with the players on teams above and below. On pure strength this might not be enough for Code S but as I said this bracket is very volatile and anybody in this tier can qualify.
8.Berserker Esports
Berserker played Code S last Season and showed a solid Season for their roster. They have not lost anybody and only have grown more experienced. With these lessons, they have a shot at making it again.
9.Team Rotti
After Babymarine left team rotti i thought they would not sign up. What a surprise to see, especially with uthermal and special. Both have the class to carry to Code S with Cuku and Fjant as support, but both also have been past their prime so making Code A is likely the limit.
10.Little Fairy
If this were allkill Coffee could carry this team to Code S still. But with Jumy having an injury recently and Akyuu being just a wildcard Chinese and FightingFrog being kinda retired and Eiger in bad form this roster is their best attempt, but they may be stopped before Code A by more experienced and better players again. But Coffee has the quality to carry, but how far?
11.IG
IG will surprise me again probably and somehow make Code S for this.... But I just can't see it how the old guard makes it here. They may be seeded in Code A, but this is where it ends.
Teams to fight for Code A
These teams can make Code A on a good day and have some quality players.
12. Psistorm Templars
Psistorms second roster lost Nicoract but It's still solid and has shown in smaller teamleagues that they can prove their weight. On a good day, they can make Code A.
13. CodeA Traveler
This team made it all the way it the qualifying match to Code A last Season with a different Name. Nobody knows these players that well, and this is their card to play. They are above Gosu because they beat them last Season and the rosters did not change.
14.Team Gosu Pro
This team hinges heavily on Meomaika. If he is in form, Code A is possible. Otherwise, they will be stopped beforehand again
Here to have fun
These teams are here to have fun and enjoy the competition. They won't make Code A but deliver a good show.
15.HTT
These are always honorable contenders in every teamleague and will try their best, but this is WTL.
16.maraleesports
German caster maralekos has rallied his discord once again. Sadly this rosters celling is limited and without the best of Germany showing up they will be stopped early
17.3D
This team was once good but most of these players are off the Map now. I doubt they will win a round.
18.HZES
These are newly formed and have some players above 5.5k mmr, but this is not their Ballpark. It will be a good experience, tho.
19.Kaoda
These Chinese amateurs are trying again, very admirable but they won't have a shot
20.SOfaraway
These Chinese amateurs are trying again, very admirable but they won't have a shot even tho they have some good old players.
21.Bing Bong Exports
These are truly here to just have fun and lose in the first round besides Azura who might take a map.
22.WTLadmins
The WTL admins formed their own team. It's pretty fun but not competitive. I love what you guys do for the scene, but you are not going to qualify for Code A
