Overwatch League Recap Stage 3 Week 1
Written by: Bryce L. Jackson
Notable Matches
Dallas Fuel vs Shanghai Dragons
The debut of the new look Dragons showed some potential but they couldn't find enough cohesion to get them their first win of the season. In the 3-1 loss, Tank player Geguri and DPS player Ado were bright spots. Though Geguri did not play her signature Zarya, her D.Va was serviceable and her play as Orisa on Junkertown won them that map after she won an Orisa vs Orisa war of attrition against Mickie. The Dallas Fuel, still dealing with player suspensions and new personnel (Unkoe via trade from LA Valiant) had a much needed good game for team moral. Angry Effect is an unstoppable force. If only if there could be more consistency other than Mickie and less drama.
Seoul Dynasty vs Los Angeles Valiant
The LA Valiant had a tumultuous off week. They traded away, signed or released 7 players (including Grimreality who moved to an assistant coach role) and questions of who will play what role and how they will all play together with these changes emreged. With their first opponent being the Seoul Dynasty, expectations were low. To everyone’s surprise, not only did the LA Valiant beat Seoul, they embarrassed Seoul 4-0. Seoul once again sent out their B team aside from Fleta but Fleta couldn't save them from poor coordination.
New York Excelsior vs London Spitfire
In what was deemed a clash of OWL titans, the New York Excelsior showed that they were in a league of their own. The NYXL never let their opposition breathe on their way to a 4-0 drubbing. Behind the god-like performance of Saebyeolbe, the return of Big Boss Pine, and superstar performances from the Tanks and Supports, the NYXL looked primed to run right through the league to another #1 seed in the Stage 3 playoffs. Meawhile, the Spitfire didn't play up to the expectations. A noticeable absence from Birdring and non-impactful substitutions could turn the tide the Spitfire seem to be on.
League Notes
The Seoul Dynasty are a mess. Supposedly one of the hottest teams in the game from their previous incarnation as Lunatic Hai, those glory days are gone. Their lineups are questionable. They continue to play their bench against teams that, on paper, are weaker and they suffer for it either by dropping maps and making it closer than expected or just out and out losing. These decisions have already cost them league prestige, team confidence, and some fat checks at the end of the stage. They've begun Stage 3 just like they ended Stage 2: Unimposing and disheveled. After losing 0-4 to a new look LA Valiant team, they finally decided to run their best team vs the Shock later in the week. I don’t know if they are just angling to just care about the big check at the end of the stage or what but to leave money on the table and taking away that illusion of fear that they instilled on the rest of the competition from Stage 1 isn’t a wise play.
The Boston Uprising are here. Get comfy. They started the stage by beating the Stage 2 Runner-Up Philadelphia Fusion 3-2 then they dominated the Houston Outlaws 4-0. A stark difference to how they started the previous two stages. They have looked strong in spurts but have faltered later on or in the middle of the stages which have kept them out of Stage Playoff contention. With the new Stage Playoff system its not hard to imagine that they'll be gunning for at least the #3 seed if not #2 seed if London and Seoul do not catch themselves and the Fusion keep up their momentum.
The London Spitfire are in a bad place to begin the stage. They lost both their games and are -5 on map differential. Though it’s still quite early in the stage, their schedule for the next 2 weeks will be difficult. They play the Mayhem who love to steal maps and then the Philadelphia Fusion in week 2 followed by the Boston Uprising then the LA Valiant in week 3. Dare I say they could lose 2 or three of those games if they play the way they did this week.
Deadline News Previously Missed
New York Excelsior sign Support player Tae-Sung “Anamo” Jung.
Los Angeles Gladiators sign Flex player Jun Woo “Void” Kang.
Houston Outlaws sign Flex DPS Player WonHyeop “Arhan” Jung.
Shanghai Dragons sign DPS Player Daemin “Daemin” Kim.
Philadelphia Fusion announce a 3 games suspension, $3000 fine, and loss of streaming privileges for DPS player EQO after his poor behavior on stream.
Best Performers by Role
Space (Flex, Los Angeles Valiant)
super (Flex, San Francisco Shock)
Saebyeolbe (DPS, New York Excelsior)
Sayaplayer (DPS, Florida Mayhem)
Gamsu (Tank, Boston Uprising)
Fragi (Tank, Philadelphia Fusion)
Altering (Support, Shanghai Dragons)
Neko (Support, Boston Uprising)