Land of the brave and the home of the free. Also Canada. Land of people throwing feces in Tim Horton's. Sure, that was only one video, but I assume that's a typical Canadian greeting.



Contenders Tier



1. HeroesHearth Esports (Elo: 1581) Phase 1 Results: 11-3 36-19 2nd place: 5th/6th place Western Clash; 7th/8th place MSB



This is a pretty controversial pick after Tempo Storm did the best at a major event of any NA team in a while. But I think the last second roster change of Tempo Storm gave me enough brass to move up HHE. My primary reason, however, going with HHE is I believe the team will continue to rise, as I do not believe they have reached their ceiling yet. I do still believe that Tempo Storm is better suited for international play, but within the region, give me HHE to take 1st place (though not go undefeated)



2. Tempo Storm (Elo: 1596) Phase 1 Results: 11-3 37-16 1st Place: 3rd Place Western Clash; 4th Place MSB



Tough to move Tempo Storm down after they played well at MSB, but the last second roster change, paired with my concern that the team is close to their peak (which could be completely wrong) has me hesitant to crown them the team that will inevitably end NA's international drought. That said, I think this is a good team, and whoever gets added to the 5th slot, there should be only 1 very competitive match in the first two weeks to help them build synergy. I still expect Tempo Storm to make international play, as they always find a way to, but call me a bit cooler on them then I thought I would be after MSB.



3. Team Octalysis (Elo: 1495) Phase 1 Results: 10-4, 36-20, 3rd Place. Finished 3rd in MSB Qualifier playoff, losing 2-3 to HeroesHearth Esports in the final round. 5th/6th at Western Clash. Roster changes: OUT - Kure, Daneski; IN - Prismaticism, Drated



While losing Daneski and Kure could be rough for Octalysis, I really like the moves they made. Drated was one of the surprises of Phase 1, and Prismat brings a ton of game sense and a player Buds and Justing are already familiar with. If this team took first place in Phase 2, I would not at all be surprised. That said, I think they could finish anywhere in the top 4. This team has been defined for a year and a half by the synergy of Buds and Justing, and it can definitely carry this team to the top with the roster they have around it.



Dark Horses Tier



4. Team Freedom (Elo: 1485) Phase 1 Results 9-5 32-22 4th place. 7th/8th place Western Clash, 4th place MSB qualification playoff, losing 2-3 to Team Octalysis. No roster changes.



I struggled to decide whether Team Freedom was Contenders tier or Dark Horses Tier. I settled on Dark Horse because I to think a lot of people are a bit low on the team after their struggles late in phase 1. As the top 3 of NA continue to improve, I have some concerns if Team Freedom will keep up. That said, I could easily see this team making top two if they adjust well.



5. LFM Esports (Elo: 1381) Phase 1 Results 2-12 15-39 7th Place. Defeated XD 4-2 in Crucible to maintain HGC spot. Roster changes: OUT - Drated, SpecialTea; IN - Fury, Droplets



Time to get spicy, mother fuckers. I told myself I was going to make one unexpected selection in this power rankings, and I think LFM will surprise this season. I love their team's attitude and roster moves, and I think the other teams have some pretty significant weaknesses to move them lower. Is this completely out of left field? Yes. Will I probably be wrong? Probably. But I'm still going with it here.



6. Endemic Esports (Elo: 1453) Phase 1 Results (as Gale Force Esports) 6-8 24-31 5th Place. 5th Place in MSB Qualification playoff, losing 1-3 to Team Freedom. Roster changes: OUT - Fury, akaface; IN - Kure, daneski



I'm seriously concerned about the role swaps that created this team, as well as the synergy. While it's a cliche, and roster changes are consistently a scapegoat for NA's troubles, I don't like the roster changes here on the face of it. Could this team hit a gear and become a serious challenger? Could be. I'm just very skeptical at the moment.



Low Tier



7. Simplicity (Elo: 1424) Phase 1 Results 5-9 23-30 6th Place. Finished 6th Place in MSB Qualification Playoff, losing to Gale Force Esports 3-2. Roster changes: OUT - Prismaticism; IN - TigerJK



Simplicity and GFE filled up the 5/6 slots last season, trading back and forth. That said, I think the ceiling of Endemic is enough to put them in Dark Horses. I lean towards Simplicity not being likely to do better than 5th place as a ceiling. For now, moving K1pro off support seems like a good choice, but I just don't know if this roster will keep up with the meta.



8. No Tomorrow (Elo: 1329) Phase 1 Results 2-12, 12-38 8th Place. Defeated King's Gambit 4-3 in Crucible to maintain HGC spot. Roster changes: OUT - Equinox; IN - akaface



Unfortunately, I don't see Phase 2 going any better for No Tomorrow. I really like picking up akaface and swapping Tomster back to a role he historically has played better on, but I just struggle to see it making enough of a difference. No Tomorrow has seemed like a continual upset threat, but hasn't been able to find consistency. I unfortunately expect them to revisit Crucible.