CTF League: Week 1 (MAP04) Predictions/Results/Info

[Watermelon]

Week 01 will be the used, abused, loved and hated-- map04.

The matches based on random generation will be as follows. Each team must battle *all* the clans in their group, and then there is a randomly selected team from the other group that they have to play. This results in 3 matches a week. The worst team from each group is eliminated.

Group 1:
EX
SXG
BG

Group 2:
SR49
DJ
OW

ADDITIONAL RANDOM MATCH THAT MUST TAKE PLACE:
SR49 v SXG
EX v OW
BG v DJ

SCHEDULE:
EX:
EX vs BG: Saturday August 11th @ 9:30pm EST
EX vs SXG: Sunday August 12th @ 6:00pm EST
EX vs OW: Sunday August 12th @ 7:00pm EST

SR49:
SR49 vs DFJ: Saturday August 11th @ 6:00pm EST
SR49 vs OW: Saturday August 11th @ 6:30pm EST
SR49 vs SXG: Saturday August 11th @ 7:00pm EST

OW:
OW vs DFJ: Friday August 10th @ 7:00pm EST
OW vs SR49: Saturday August 11th @ 6:30pm EST
OW vs EX: Sunday August 12th @ 7:00pm EST

DFJ:
DFJ vs OW: Friday August 10th @ 7:00pm EST
DFJ vs SR49: Saturday August 11th @ 6:00pm EST
DFJ vs BG: Sunday August 12th @ 6:30pm EST

SXG:
SXG vs BG: Friday August 10th @ 9:30 pm EST
SXG vs SR49: Saturday August 11th @ 7:00pm EST
SXG vs EX: Sunday August 12th @ 6:00pm EST

BG:
BG vs SXG: Friday August 10th @ 9:30 pm EST
BG vs EX: Saturday August 11th @ 9:30pm EST
BG vs DFJ: Sunday August 12th @ 6:30pm EST

Watermelon's predictions
*Note: It goes [TAG] Team name (Captain, first pick, second pick, third pick)

• [EX] Excalibur (Soulsucka, Caution, Ace, Xaver)
  I feel this team will do quite well, considering they have 3 powerhouses and a defender. Xaver proved tonight he is great at running, and can also frag like a machine. Caution is caution. Soul will probably handle the opposite (d/mid) or whatever Caution takes. Ace might be benched since he's having internet issues, but if he's used, he'd take defense probably. I foresee this team definitely succeeding; it would shock me otherwise. Caution is a very experienced player and makes very few mistakes. Assuming nothing stupid happens and Skulltag's unlagged doesn't betray Soul, I expect this team to go to the finals.
  .
• [SR49] SR49'ers (Tor-bjorn, Razgriz, Swiftshot, Dawson)
  Another well rounded team, Tor would be the offensive runner who will put heat on the enemy team. Rangle will probably take D and do quite well I think provided his net doesn't troll him. Swiftshot IMO is very under-rated, he frags like a machine AND has a brain, making him a very deadly middle. With Tor's flag running frenzy, Swift's razor sharp mid (excluding his GB ping making this more fun) and Rangle with 'ON' mode activated... this team could be lethal. I don't see Dawson playing with the lineup these guys have, but if he does he would hopefully take a defensive position and stay there. The downfalls of this team is Rangle having a bad day and/or Tor not being able to hold his position well due to his inexperience (ex: stall the flag or retrieve it in a leak from the enemy base).
  .
• [OW] The OverWeights (JWarrier, Watermelon, Arman, Goliath)
  This will be interesting because we really don't have any offensive players. I think we may struggle a little bit because Goliath hasn't been around too much (though I think his passion to do well will be outstanding and hopefully result in him getting a few games in). Jwarrier will probably handle the opposite of what I take. I think if my net doesn't go bad, and I have a good night that we will be an irritating tank-def team to penetrate. If Goliath doesn't play, Arman is going to have to pick up his game, as he's notorious for lagging, shooting rockets at every opportunity (even into his own base) and does not update any one of his team-mates, which if he takes mid means he cripples D beyond repair. If he can pull his socks up over the next week we may be heading onto the next match. I (Watermelon) may be in trouble because Jwarrier doesn't use TS much and Arman doesn't update anyways, so I might be walking blind which could be a challenge. Either way, I'm excited and ready to face my opponents with my team-- and love our name. ROLLOUT.
  .
• [DFJ] Def Jam (Slyfox, Semper, Infer, Infamous)
  This team is interesting because it's two runners and one insane D, I don't know if Infamous will be used, but if he shows he has great fragging abilities on map04, he might sub in for infer. Assuming Infer plays, he's going to have to work on not noodling around. If he does, and Slyfox does his magic, the other team is in trouble because Semper will have insane brick-wall-like defense. The only issue on this map is that Semper usually runs, but Slyfox would probably be better on O (though he can D when I played w/ him in the IDL-R). If this team gets through to the next round, they will be a walking machine of death because they can literally afford 2 O and 1 D due to Ivan's fragging skill. There is a major potential for this line up to blow it; but if done right they could sail to the finals. One problem this team will have to look out for is Slyfox giving up too early and demoralizing his team. If he doesn't resort to this attitude they could push through far in this tournament.
  .
• (SXG) The Sex Gods (Spider, Catastrophe, Junior, Mere)
  This team will be interesting because Spider will go on D, Blue on mid and Junior on O. Blue is a great supporter and Spider will probably hold D long enough to allow Junior to sneak out. He's a solid runner, and backed by a great mid they will pose some problems. If Spider starts fumbling, or Blue is too rusty to recover in time, or Junior decides to give up for the 1 billionth time, this team is in trouble. The team has the dynamics for their positions to go well, as long as they don't start infighting. If one of the members manages to go AFK and Mere has to sub in, I think this team is toast (unless Spider can't make it, they still stand a chance because Blue/Junior are *the* driving force the opposing team should fear). The biggest problem is this team is sitting on the edge of a knife. If anything goes wrong, it's good game. If the pieces line up, they can go deep into this tournament. I do not see Mere being actively subbed in for other players unless Spider REALLY starts blowing D beyond repair.
  .
• [QJ] (Redshirt, Legion, Iced, Avc)
  Strong ass team, Legion is a beast runner, Redshirt is not rusty anymore and Iced has amazing potential for defence. Assuming he's not having a bad day, this will be similar to team DJ (two O one D). While Iced is not as frag heavy as Semper is (and I mean no offense when I say this because Semper is literally one of a kind, and Iced can D quite well IMO), the offensive power packed by Redshirt and Legion is unparalleled by any team. If it comes down to 2 O and 1 D on map04 and Iced can hold his own, this team will stomp whoever is in their path. If one of them needs to fall back, they may be in trouble since I feel they are best on the O position rather than mid or def. The best way to describe this lineup would be an average spaceship with a really fucking huge cannon that blows everything up in its path -- designed for one purpose: Offense.

Game dates to be announced in less than 12 hours. I have to go to bed now, but in the morning I'll have the game times.


EDIT: Removed left over numbers from the random generator

[capodecima]

GL ALL xD

[Catastrophe]

Man don't even be modest about my team, it's bullshit Soul gets first pick and spider got last.

[Samurai]

I'll give my 2 cents on predictions

•[EX] Excalibur (Soulsucka, Caution, Ace, Xaver)

On paper this looks like the strongest lineup in this tourney (X-ray, SoulSucka and Xaver). I can see this team going straight to the finals as long as they all play to the standards that everyone else know of them to play, and fears them for. I can see Soul playing solo D, with Xray and Xaver playing 2 O to really put pressure on their opponents D. Poor Ace, he's a nice player, but I can't see him getting much game time here. The only issue for this team is will Xaver be able to play, and practice as much as his teammates?, because i think that will determine the fate of how far this team will go.

•[SR49] SR49'ers (Tor-bjorn, Razgriz, Swiftshot, Dawson)

I really like my team. I've played with Raz long before i joined ST/Zand when i played with him in ZDaemon clans. He's a solid versatile player, who you can rely on in almost any situation. Tor, is getting better and better by the week, just like his brother did a few months ago. I think he will really start to show his potential in our team in this tourney. I'm assuming Dawson is our 4th, and he's one of the better 4's to have out there, although like Ace, i'm not sure how much gametime 4th players will get in this tourney. The only issue on our team is that thse games are usually played around 9pm est, which means about 3am in the morning for me. Normally i'm really tired at that time and I tend to make mistakes, I just hope it dosn't cost my team

•[OW] The OverWeights (JWarrier, Watermelon, Arman, Goliath)

This team interests me more than the others. When on top of their game in priv, Jwar and Arman can be as valuable as any player around. Watermelon needs no introduction, the guy has gone from zero to hero in the matter of about 5 months and now is a regular #1 pick in priv. For this team, I can see Water playing a superman D, with Jwar playing a mid/defensive role too. This will leave Arman or Goliyat with a license to O. The only issue i can see with this team is if Water and Jwar are busy defending, will leave their O isolated, and getting flags back to their base might be a rare occasion.

•[DJ] Def Jam (Slyfox, Semper, Infer, Infamous)

This team is probably the only team where you could make a valid case that all 4 players could make the starting lineup. Semper as everyone already knows, will be the frag machine of this team. I can see him playing mid, with Slyfox playing D to finish off anyone lucky enough to get past the crazy Turk. Whenever i spectate priv games, the first guy i always look to use F12 on is Infer. He can be an exciting O player to watch, and relies more on stealth, and skill to work his way out of the base, rather than fragging every defender 5 times to run home. Infamous is also a nice reliable defensive player, who can even play o too if needed, although i think the main lineup will be Sly, Ivan and Infer. The only way I can see this plan going wrong, is if Ivan conentrates too much on playing deathmatch, rather than CTF. Ivan is great at fragging whatever you put infront of him, but he is prone to people sneeking around him whilst he's busy trying to get monster kills and what not.

•(SXG) The Sex Gods (Spider, Catastrophe, Junior, Mere)

I think this team has been underrated by some. Spider has really picked up his game in recent months, and even became a valuable asset to me in EL on 250 ping, before he left. I can see him playing defensive/mid role similar to Jwar on [OW]. I think Bluewiz will play D, and is usually a solid reliable player in any position he is asked to play in. This leaves Junior to do his shit in offense. Providing Jun takes this seriously, and plays to the potential everyone knows he can when he can be bothered, This team will go far.

•(NAME TBD) (Redshirt, Legion, Iced, Avc)

Team H. But yeah, this team as watermelon said, has offense written all over it. I confess i don't know much about Redshirt, but I've heard he is a decent, reliable player. Legion is great, skillful player, and has shown before he has the ability to carry teammates if needed. Iced is another solid player, who has shown his versatility before to play any any position on the map comfortably. I don't think this team will be at the top of the frag table, but flags are what matters in CTF, and i can see this team getting many of them.

[Watermelon]

Man don't even be modest about my team, it's bullshit Soul gets first pick and spider got last.

Originally Spider was going to get first pick, Mobius believed that all the players in the top bracket were solid enough to be standalone, and thus giving spider first 2nd pick would allow him to have a great fragger (you), and a really strong third (junior). It all relies on Spider's D or mid. Everyone on TS thinks you will do better than you think. If your captain was like Soul, I'd say your team would be a super-star team.




@ Swiftshot: I will do my best to schedule your games early as possible.

[Slyfox]

Spider also had a chance at Xaver and Infamous to be fair.

[Catastrophe]

Still though, he deserved first pick.

[Jwarrier]

I too liked the first pick format than the second we went with. However I feel all the teams had excellent options regardless and that the picks actually worked. I could not believe I actually got my first picks on my lists. I see Arman as a fantastic offense player when with the right group and we all know Watermelon can play some superb defense or even mid. The weakest link I see on the team is myself, as lately I have had many off days and with the way things are going in my life right now I just don't have the focus necessary. This is why I picked Goliath as my last pick. I see him as a perfect role player for our team so don't expect to see him benched. :D

I'm very impressed by the overall quality of all the teams though. Don't ever underestimate the Spider... he has time and time again proven his worth across many privs and clan scrims.

[Xaver]

I predict very fun games.

[Torvald]

So far I'm quite pleased with the team setup, everyone's got a solid lineup with some good fraggers and runners. Now it's just a matter of everyone fine tuning their tactics to coincide with their teammates.

• [EX] Excalibur (Soulsucka, Caution, Ace, Xaver)
  
  One of the stronger teams in my opinion. Ace can be a good player, but only when his internet's not trolling him. Assuming that Soul, Caution and Xaver are the main lineup, they're going to to be a mobile fortress. With a solid defense and strong offense It's going to take more than machine fragging to beat these guys. I think they are going to make it to the finals.
  
  .
• [SR49] SR49'ers (Tor-bjorn, Razgriz, Swiftshot, Dawson)
  
  I agree with Swift, I'm also very confident in our lineup. Rangle and Swift are not tank fraggers like Ivan, but it would be hard to tell the difference. What makes them lethal is how they play: cold calculated decisions alongside precision aiming makes these two a force to be reckoned with. I think this team will rely less on blasting the enemy into thin air and more on strategic game-play and tactics. I (Tor-Bjorn) know when I'm in the zone I can really put the pressure on the opposing team, but it's imperative I get my motor primed and ready (I'm not like Ivan where his skills are on demand. A warmup is necessary). Of course last (but certainly not the least important of the group) is Dawson. He's a solid fragger and can push the line forward/ hold it when needed. I have a feeling he will come in handy. Overall this team feels like it's well rounded with no weak points.
  
  .
• [OW] The OverWeights (JWarrier, Watermelon, Arman, Goliath)
  
  I honestly think JWarriar doesn't give himself enough credit. He's one of those people you have to be on your toes for; one slip and he's gone with the flag. Watermelon no doubt Is approaching Ivan territory when it comes to defense, hes thinking more than just "kill it" when you try running against him. It's all about timing and positioning. Arman is another good runner too, however his tendency to spam rockets might prove a negative for his team. Finally if Goliath really started practicing hard, he can get back his skill and bring some muscle to the table which would really help Watermelon and JWarriar. I do think this team will stand a better chance than they anticipate.
  
  .
• [DJ] Def Jam (Slyfox, Semper, Infer, Infamous)
  
  I fear this team soley because of Ivan. Possibly the heaviest fragger I've seen to date, trying to get past Ivan is like trying to punch your way through a cement wall. Slyfox, Infer and Infamous won't have to worry too much about their flag should Ivan be on defense. I know that Infamous is another good fragger too so getting the flag will be quite a challenge. I do however feel that the offense on this team isn't as strong as the others. Slyfox and Infer can run great on certain maps that play more tactically, but on heavy frag maps like 29 where you need the offense to push up for the defense, they might face some trouble.
  
  .
• (SXG) The Sex Gods (Spider, Catastrophe, Junior, Mere)
  
  People really don't give enough credit to Spider. He's upped his game a lot since I came back, and with BlueWizard and Junior playing they will certainly be a strong team to fight against. If Junior follows through with the game and doesn't drop out like he's so highly renowned for doing, they will have a really good offense. Like Watermelon stated, I don't think Mere will be playing unless Spider starts failing out there or if Junior gives up.
  
  .
• [QJ] (Redshirt, Legion, Iced, Avc)
  
  There's not too much I can comment on about this team. I haven't played Iced in a long time, and I've only played Redshirt a few times. I know Legion is ridiculous when it comes to offense and anyone on defense needs to be on their A-Game when he is playing. If AVC has to fill, he needs to make sure he's downloading something, because it's only when his ping is in the quadruple digits, he gets flags. This team shows signs of Strong offense and relatively good defense.

[Watermelon]

If AVC has to fill, he needs to make sure he's downloading something, because it's only when his ping is in the quadruple digits, he gets flags.

Can I sig this?

[Torvald]

Sure, but you really don't need to ask, just do it lol

[Watermelon]

Timetable worked out and created. If it doesn't work for you, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do.

[Razgriz]

[Quote=A Banned Mobius] Since I had sway over the draft order, I think I am going to chime in with my incredible intelligence on how I think the teams will stack out.

[EX] Excalibur vs Overweights

This team is making it to the finals, no questions asked. Soulsucka and X Ray can combine their powers together in 2v1 situations and just frag it up in very compact maps like MAP04, 08, and 31. The chemistry here is basically a revisit of TOD from the Mini Penis League minus Infer and instead has one of the better euros in this port. I think Xaver was too good of a grab for this team, and I am amazed he wasn’t picked up sooner by Spider or Bjorn but that’s probably because of his unreliability and scheduling issues cause he’s an ocean apart from everyone. That being said, Soul taking 30 minutes to pick Xaver as his 4th proves that he is Slowsucka afterall. Xaver is a decent runner with his frag power and will not slow the momentum down any with the lesser teams out there, but if they don’t use Xaver then they have Ace. X ray, being the most experienced and a little underrated, can really switch roles as a D or runner based on whether or not Xaver shows so there’s no slowing down EX.

Jwarrier and Watermelon can easily D map04, but for how long can they hold it up? Arman is alright but isn’t a fantastic runner against X ray or Soul and I can easily see him being frag fodder. Jwarrier will prove to be the de facto of his team’s future. He isn’t particularly good, but likewise he’s a little above Arman and he has Watermelon. So I feel Jwarrier really needs to step it up to make this team last but would that be enough against X ray and his stone-wall D on 04? Soul can’t do much except frag, but that’s where they’ll need him with Xaver running. I just don’t see OW winning, especially since Watermelon does leak a few times and blames it on his connection. Better luck next week.

EX 2-0

[SR49] SR49'ers vs The Sex Gods
Strangle and Swift is a pretty good combo in public CTF, but my concerns are in Bjorn as their runner. So knowing that, they will have Strangle run instead and Bjorn will learn how to D. He isn’t his brother in that regard, and that means Swift will have to pick up the pace. I see this team turtling their captures moreso than being than being balanced. It would be the smart thing to do considering no one in this team is really a good runner, and no one with any brains will use Dawson anyway. So this is how it’d turn out, “Strangle scores and they 2 d.” It’s textbook but defense does win games.

On the other hand, Spider got himself a pretty versatile team even though he missed out on some good grabs. Bluewizard can D or O without a problem on MAP04, but to be honest I rather have Junior run and Bluewizard playing a little mid if he’s fast enough to handle it. Spider will have to sit alone in base if they hope to get by Swiftshot. This is probably the most even match this week considering, but the frag power is in SXG’s side with the brains on SR49ers; however, the ball is in Bjorn’s court and how well his team does.

SXG 2-1

H vs Def Jam
This is vastly disappointing. I had the luxury of testing my netbook prowess on DJ and I am frighten that they came up so short to my new running skills. Slyfox is going to have to rethink how he uses Avernus because he’s up against a very frag heavy team. Legion, being retarded as fuck and mentally ill, will run a cap on you if you let him. Iced Coffee is a very dumb player and brainless to boot, but MAP04 is a grind and he’s pretty alright when it comes to mindless D and easily frag heavy maps. Redshirt will be the superstar if he doesn’t let Legion take the glory considering he’s the brains of the outfit, but will his skills be enough for the 2 year gap he missed out on when everyone else got better?

The problem here is that despite how GREAT Def Jam is on paper, their defense is shit and that speaks volumes. I think they should really reconsider where to place Avernus, because his performance will make or break Def Jam this week. Slyfox can run or D this map, and Infer can do both but neither are as good as Avernus. Sadly, Slyfox is the smartest player in his team and his IQ is as about as high as mine. He’ll have to teach Avernus how to be more aware and Infer to watch himself, but otherwise once they get their shit together you’ll see Def Jam in the finals.

H 2-1

Oh one more thing.

The draft order was changed to ensure parity. Spider was placed last cause he's of a decent skill level, but compared to Soul it would have damaged him to go first. Spider going first means he'll only get X Ray but miss out on a 2nd pick because Soul, being the best player among the captains right now, will get a great back to back pick in the snake draft order. That means he would have easily picked up Bluewizard AND Xaver. Spider didn't capitalize fully on his back to back pick, and I love Junior with all my heart but I'd easily snatch Xaver if I could. The idea was to have good captains get first to get a good pick, but their 2nd picks would be mediocre or even bad with bad captains getter 2 back to back decent picks to even the teams.[/quote]

[Watermelon]

As long as my net holds, I should be good. So far everyone every day has commented on how jittery I am at times. Skulltag is the worst port when you lag, shots whiff all the time. I notice I kick ass after resetting my router for 30 minutes.
I don't know if it's the modem or the router, but when I do reset, everything else that happens is either my inexperience or aiming that would cause a leak.

[Watermelon]

Updated a game time.

[Spider]

Excalibur vs Overweights
SoulSucka, Caution, Ace, Xaver vs Jwarrier, Watermelon, Arman, Goliath

I'm pretty sure that EX team right there is pretty much gonna win with Caution/SoulSucka, they are the best two versatile players on this team with their fragging and overall experience. I see OW having a hard time dealing off with Soul/Xray's D Arman is a pretty good runner but he will have to prove himself by scoring for his team because I'm pretty sure Jwarrier and Watermelon can handle defense for their team and they will have to rely on getting flags to win. But soul somehow got Xaver on his team and that's pretty much gg for OW unless he doesn't show up. And I think ultimately EX is going to come out on top here and emerge as the sole remaining best team.

EX 2-0


SR49'ers vs The Sex Gods
Tor-Bjorn, Razgriz, SwiftShot, Dawson vs Spider, Catastrophe, Junior, Mere





QJ vs Def Jam
Hydra, Legion, Icedcoffee, Avc vs Slyfox, Avernus, Infer, Infamous

This is indeed an interesting matchup, both teams have some decent players, I like DJ, but I honestly don't see them winning this one, Avernus is a very good fragger and defender but both Hydra and Legion will rely on offesive power, i dont see him holding off D for 15 minutes so they will have to get flags, it's down to slyfox to help infer running but it's going to be hard because slyfox has to help avernus too, and along with iced's strong D they will give DJ a hell of a pain especially on this map.

QJ 2-0

[capodecima]

so what happened here ? no matches yet ?

[Ivan]

If you were to READ the DATE. :/

[capodecima]

its map 04 , everyone has chances wins , anyway here is my prediction with broken english , enjoy.

Excalibur vs Overweights
SoulSucka, Caution, Ace, Xaver vs Jwarrier, Watermelon, Arman, Goliath
Soul and xray is great combo. I have less doubt about their 3rd ace or xaver. If will play xaver , EX is prolly ubeatable, with ace have enemies more chances wins :). Well i think soul could here solo def and ace + xray hande attack. I think EX wins this one.
EX 2-1


SR49'ers vs The Sex Gods
Tor-Bjorn, Razgriz, SwiftShot, Dawson vs Spider, Catastrophe, Junior, Mere
I like SR49 team bjorn is still better and better (still so far from me but better ) . Raz is versatile player same like swift. I think raz could def here and swift play float. tor could play o :). Spider managed kinda good team. I think spider could play def here , if cat will agree :), prolly not. So i think cat could handle solo def and spider support d and o. Junior could have great save defence and only play o. I think the sex gods wins this one.

TSD 2-1





QJ vs Def Jam
Hydra, Legion, Icedcoffee, Avc vs Slyfox, Avernus, Infer, Infamous
doubt avernus lost on map04.
2-0 DEf jam