PROlane Profile Joined December 2015 United States 34 Posts Last Edited: 2017-10-27 14:33:50 #1 BlizzCon 2017

Group Stage Predictions By: Emperor



After a year long battle spanning North America, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Oceania, it is time for the 2017 World Champion to be crowned. The 16 teams that have made it this far have been split into four groups of four, where the top two teams from each group will advance into an 8-man, single-elimination bracket to decide it all. With glory, fame, and $1,000,000 up for grabs, expect to see some of the most intense, competitive Heroes of the Storm to date!





Group B begins in





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Tournament Groups Group A CE

DeadlyKittens

MVP Black

Tempo Storm

Group B Beyond the Game

Dark Sided

Fnatic

Team Freedom

Group C RED Canids

Roll20 esports

Team Dignitas

Tempest

Group D Ballistix

Soul Torturers

Super Perfect Team

Team Expert



Group A

CE • DeadlyKittens • MVP Black • Tempo Storm

Looking at Group A, the clear favorites have to be MVP Black and CE. Both teams have maintained a firm spot at the top of leaderboards for most of 2017 and have looked dominant in their respective regions. However, the Korean scene is objectively much stronger than the Chinese scene, as has been the story throughout the history of Heroes esports. MVP Black should be equipped to handle the Chinese aggression and advance atop their group without issue.



It cannot be denied that both DeadlyKittens and Tempo Storm are facing an uphill battle in this group. DeadlyKittens took CE to Game 3 last time they met, but HGC has caused a huge rift between the major and minor regions as the year has gone on and made the possibility of a minor region victory seem distant and remote.



Of course, these predictions hinge on CE being able to overcome their visa issues. If they can’t, the compatibility problems plaguing the team might serve as the saving grace Tempo Storm needs to advance.





Predictions

MVP Black > DeadlyKittens

Tempo Storm > CE

MVP Black > Tempo Storm

CE > DeadlyKittens

Tempo Storm > CE





MVP Black and Tempo Storm Advance

Group B

Beyond the Game • Dark Sided • Fnatic • Team Freedom

Known for their superb macro play, Fnatic stands as the highest seeded team in Group B. The climax of the group will most likely be the winners match between Fnatic and Team Freedom in a classic EU vs NA clash, but Fnatic is still hands down expected to carry on as the winner of the group.



Neither Beyond the Game (BTG) nor Dark Sided have participated in any large international events before, which adds a factor of uncertainty, as it will be hard for their opponents to study them. However, it also means they have little experience on the global stage; a detail that does not bode well for them going up against teams with such tenure and chemistry. In addition, BTG will be playing with a random group of players selected from the region due to visa issues.





Predictions

Fnatic > Dark Sided

Team Freedom > Beyond the Game

Fnatic > Team Freedom

Beyond the Game > Darksided

Team Freedom > Beyond the Game





Fnatic and Team Freedom Advance

Group C

RED Canids • Roll20 esports • Team Dignitas • Tempest

Group C is the group of death. Powerhouses from North America, Europe, and Korea will be clashing in an exciting spectacle to take the top two spots in the group.



Team Dignitas, forever to be dubbed as the “Korean killers,” beat both MVP Black and L5 in the Mid-Season Brawl and proved that Europe was the new global king. While they have had their ups and downs, their performance at live events has been strong, and their track record puts them in line for taking #1 in the group.



Tempest is no slouch, though. Coming in at third place in the Eastern Clash and putting up a good fight against the winner L5 (Ballistix), Tempest is not to be taken lightly. Roll20 esports should also not be underestimated. Although they haven’t had the same offline success, they’ve proven they have what it takes to be among the best teams in the world. Both Tempest and Roll20 are have been known to be a bit inconsistent, which means the winner here could be determined by who brings their best on Saturday.



Under the weight of these titans is Jschritte and the RED Canids from Latam. They did not do well at the Western Clash or the Mid-Season Brawl, and it’s unlikely that they’ll fare much better this time around, especially in such a difficult group.





Predictions

Roll20 esports > RED Canids

Team Dignitas > Tempest

Team Dignitas > Roll20 esports

Tempest > RED Canids

Roll20 > Tempest





Team Dignitas and Roll20 esports Advance

Group D

Ballistix • Soul Torturers • Super Perfect Team • Team expert

There is no doubt that Ballistix and Team expert are the favorites in group, and there will definitely be a hard fought series to determine who goes through on the winner side of the bracket, but they do have some competition from the Far East.



After a poor performance in the Mid-Season Brawl due to visa issues, Super Perfect Team (SPT) is ready to partake in BlizzCon as the metaphorical flagship of China. This time they’re only missing their support zZH, and sa looks ready to fill in his critical role. If they show up in full-force, they might be able to pull off an upset against Ballistix or Team expert, but it's always difficult to gauge how well China will do on the global stage.



Soul Torturers did manage to beat SPT last time they played in the Eastern Clash with their full roster, though. If SPT can pull off an upset, so can the underdog Taiwanese team. If there’s anything we’ve learned from watching Taiwan, don’t underestimate them.





Predictions

Super Perfect Team > Soul Torturers

Ballistix > Team Expert

Ballistix > Soul Torturers

Team Expert > Soul Torturers

Team Expert > Super Perfect Team





Ballistix and Team expert Advance



Bracket and schedules on Liquipedia After a year long battle spanning North America, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Oceania, it is time for the 2017 World Champion to be crowned. The 16 teams that have made it this far have been split into four groups of four, where the top two teams from each group will advance into an 8-man, single-elimination bracket to decide it all. With glory, fame, and $1,000,000 up for grabs, expect to see some of the most intense, competitive Heroes of the Storm to date! Writer Editor-in-Chief - LiquidHeroes