Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, the Overwatch League was back. Not without its share of changes, casters had come and gone, players too, the league format had changed from stages to divisions due to it’s now regional homestand systems, even the platform for viewers had changed. Days prior to the Call Of Duty league starting, it had been announced that Activision Blizzard had signed a new exclusivity deal for all of it’s main esports games to be streamed on Youtube Gaming, leaving behind Twitch. The broadcast was not without it’s share of issues, the now meme worthy Cheeze-it’s Crunch Time segment title card interrupting analysis and worst of all gameplay. It was a broadcast that everyone involved would love to put behind them as quick as possible but for now. Overwatch League was back.





MATCH 1 - NYXL HOMESTAND

TORONTO DEFIANT VS PARIS ETERNAL





After a shaky start to their 2020 campaign the Toronto Defiant were able to turn around their fortunes after losing the first map. Beast looked shaky to start with, dying first and whiffing his first shatter on Reinhardt, but slowly through the match began to find his feet. Xzi and FDGod wasted no time however making their impact felt on the league. Playing Symmetra and Lucio respectively, they worked efficiently to cut off any momentum from Toronto. This however all changed when Surefour was subbed in on Map 2 for Agilities. Surefour making his debut for the Canadian team wanted to make a big splash and indeed he did. His plays on Reaper were a constant pain in the Paris backline, FDGod did a valiant effort to keep him at bay but sooner or later he’s going to catch up with you, especially with a nanoboost in hand.

Toronto Defiant 3 - Paris Eternal 1





MATCH 2 - NYXL HOMESTAND

NYXL VS LONDON SPITFIRE





London’s rookie squad made a fine effort at taking down one of the big 3 of the OWL. It was an inspired debut from the new London roster, with stellar performances from Glister, Babel and Highly. Glister’s Mccree and Babel’s Mei putting New York in some very difficult situations, with Babel’s walls isolating Mano regularly. Cutting the Maintank off from everyone and ending up dying frequently first. Hotba’s NYXL’s debut was a massive success though, ditching their Mainstay Offtank in Meko in the off-season. Many points were won solely due to him getting massive D.va bombs off London’s backline. It was this reluctancy to shut down Hotba enough effectively that ultimately cost them.

New York Excelsior 3 - London Spitfire 1





MATCH 3 - DALLAS FUEL HOMESTAND

LOS ANGELES GLADIATORS VS VANCOUVER TITANS





The one thing on everyone's lips prior to this match was - how will Fissure fit into this Titans team? Vancouver made their previous maintank Bumper a free agent in the off-season, and proceed to push for the controversial but brilliant Fissure. This was now Fissure’s 4th Overwatch League team, having stints on London Spitfire, Seoul Dynasty and most recently the Los Angeles Gladiators. His record against his previous teams is fantastic, and there is no doubting his mechanical ability. It is however a question of if he can be a team player and keep himself an active member in the Vancouver roster. This was a new look Los Angeles Gladiators though, with only the support duo of Biggoose and Shaz remaining in the starting 6, it was unsure what this new mixed roster would look like. Getting Birdring from the London Spitfire to cover the outgoing Surefour had big shoes to fill. He made a good start to his Gladiators career, making flexing onto Reaper and Tracer when called upon. But Fissure isn’t the only new player for Vancouver this season - picking up main support legend, Ryujehong. A wealth of experience to call upon when needed, he performed consistently throughout, and a standout moment was a nanoblade for Haksal to pick up a 5K.





Gladiators new tankline in SPACE and OGE is one filled with much promise, both tanks are superb players but with a language barrier in the way it was not clear how they would operate together. Luckily for Gladiators fans they have already managed to establish some chemistry. LH Cloudy also played well in lieu of OGE on a few maps. But unfortunately for Gladiators it feels like this match came just too soon for them. They did well to take them to a 5th map but The Vancouver Titans are one of the most solid teams in the league, if Seominsoo doesn’t get you, then Haksal will. If you manage somehow to get past them, then you have to contend with Fissure now. The team has upgraded it’s most troublesome player with one of the most talented. For now, it’s paying off.

Los Angeles Gladiators 2 - Vancouver Titans 3





MATCH 4 - DALLAS FUEL HOMESTAND

LOS ANGELES VALLIANT VS DALLAS FUEL





The fixture with possibly the most amount of new talent on show was the last match of the day, Los Angeles Valiant Vs Dallas Fuel at the Dallas Fuel homestand. Fuel now in their third iteration of players, having given up nearly completely on the old Envy roster with HarryHook now the only remaining member. Fuel made some solid pick ups in the off-season with players like Decay and Gamsu coming in from Gladiators and Dragons. As for the Valiant, KSF is the only remaining original member. Signing KSP, RaIN and GiG to bolster their roster.

Much like the rest of the matches today, Fuel struck first. Albeit not as straightforward as they may have liked, with both KSP and Decay exchanging blows on hitscan heroes throughout. Shining on Mccree and Widowmaker, at times like a living highlight reel. KSP’s dominance though was felt on Horizon especially, catching Fuels tanks and supports off guard completely. Allowing the Valiant to capitalize.





Valiant gave a good account of themselves, especially considering most had them pegged a underdogs and very low in power rankings throughout the league. Due to their under the radar off-season and the experience of players like Kariv and Custa that left their flanks. Fuel on the other hand are a promising outfit, but still a bit rough around the edges. Missing that vital cohesion that pulls a team together when the going gets tough. This will come though slowly for them in time.

Los Angeles Valiant 3 - Dallas Fuel 1





Words By Tom 'Tomz0rr' Reakes