Here is a rundown of my takeaways for the IEM Katowice Minor Play-in

Questionable Format

The Minor Play-in is a great addition to the Major cycle and helps ensure the last spots go to the most deserving teams. That said, it is disappointing that Winstrike qualified with two best-of-one victories. It feels a bit disingenuous to allow a team to qualify for the Major while the other three teams scrap it out in best-of threes. In the future, I’d like to at least see the upper bracket final be a best-of three.

Tough Times for Envy

Bringing in Karrigan was a great idea that gave Envy the best chance at making the Major. With just a couple more weeks of preparation, I believe they would have qualified. It is hard to reinvent an entire approach of a team without considerable practice and testing. Them making a roster move is a certainty after they failed to qualify, it’s just a matter of who they can get. I expect them to make a hard charge for Tarik, but who knows if he is even interested.

Convenient Timing for North

North launching their #StopToxicity movement right before failing to qualify for the Major is convenient timing. The team appears lost and the struggles of OpTic lead me to believe there is a possible Danish shuffle on our hands. It is too early to know how things will play out but like many teams that failed, expect a roster move or two. Valde needs some structure around him so he can flourish, but I’m not sure the best way to accomplish that.

Can’t Take Anything Away from ViCi

ViCi winning a best-of three to make it into the Major is much more legit than Winstrike qualifying. This victory throws a wrench in the works for everyone that believes the Asia Minor should hand a slot over to the Europe Minor. However, I think this is just an exception that proves the rule. I don’t think ViCi will make it beyond the New Challengers Stage and their performance was propped up a bit by how terrible North played. In no way am I faulting ViCi though, they can only play the matches in front of them and they got the job done. Asian teams are continuing to improve and it is exciting to see more than just one of them at the Major.