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ESEA IM S18 Power Rankings Week 7
posted in News
london_calling
February 24, 2015

Badlands? More like Beeflands. Last week saw a lot of random and unpredictable results, although for some of the matches they were only too predictable as well. Bearded Clams are starting to look like a real contender in IM with a solid 5-0 victory over Hate Being Sober and a close 5-4 loss to Small and Soft. Mad Lux Gold's star seems to be waning with a tough losing streak that threatens to put them out of the top 8 altogether. Meanwhile, Subspace Emissaries are creeping up to try to steal a spot once again, which has been the same story for this team season after season. The drama for a few teams is elevating as we near the close of the season, and with granary schedules coming out and revealing a few rematches, this might present some unique opportunities for some teams trying to make the cut for a shot at the big show.

This week, we'll have a few clips from viaduct and gullywash week as well to make up for some lost time, but it was a lot more difficult to find clips this time around. To all my frag informants out there: keep that info coming!


1. Cafe Monster (11-0)

  • Soapy
  • Goldfish
  • Purpleshirt
  • Desca
  • Highfive
  • Yomps

Cafe Monster didn't have much of a challenge thrown their way for badlands week, and look like they will hit another trend of 5-0 victories for the foreseeable future. I had hoped for a rematch against Meat Market for Cafe, if nothing else just to see how much the map made a difference in their last match. Unfortunately, ESEA scheduling is pretty retarded and automated and so they will be playing teams not quite up to par for their granary matches. Sunshine, however, might prove to be the last vestige of hope for the rest of IM to see if anyone can pull a win over Cafe Monster. Their matches will be against Hate Being Sober and Champagne and Cocaine this week, and while chances are slim for an upset, both of these teams should give them a good fight. Be that as it may, unless Cafe gets paired up with a team that has a better chance of beating them on their last snakewater match, the dream of 16-0 is pretty real at this point for Cafe Monster.


2. Meat Market (10-1)

  • Jodd
  • BroKing
  • Hooli
  • Jarrett
  • Yeeegz
  • Cheesy

Meat Market is sitting on their heels at this point, with the rest of their matches easily winnable for BroKing and crew. Ranga is MIA as far as we all know, with Hooli filling in for matches right now. While this might weaken the team in some respects, rumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen. Even so, its apparent that unless the boys get matched up with Cafe Monster for their last match of the season, they should only have the one loss this regular season. The one upcoming match I will talk about is against Bearded Clams, who have thrown up some very impressive numbers late in the season. I don't really see a clear aspect of teamplay by Bearded Clams to come out over Meat Market, but to count the Clams out of a good match might catch Meat Market off guard, like this last week with both of Bearded Clams' matches on badlands. Best of luck to Meat Market, to an almost perfect season.


3. Champagne and Cocaine (9-3)

  • Saam
  • SleepingLife
  • Waldo
  • Muma
  • Sezco
  • Dolphin Rider

Champagne and Cocaine has seemingly broken the 3rd place curse for now with two solid wins last week and no beef so far. For Champy, the challenges of this season are not quite over yet with a match against Cafe Monster on sunshine, and then a rematch against Small and Soft on granary next week. Both of these matches will prove what the team is really made of: can they come up with a win against the only defeated team in the division? Will they be able to make a repeat exemplary performance against Small and Soft? To be honest I have no idea. So far Waldo has proven to be an unorthodox roamer, running Direct Hit and letting SleepingLife making the jumps in a situation where they would need a force, and could possibly make things happen that some teams are definitely not used to. Hopefully this wildcard and some of the dedication the team is showing to try to beat the better teams in the division will produce some favorable results for the team, best of luck to them.


4. Bearded Clams (7-5)

  • Miwo
  • Tooth
  • Fragg
  • Topshot
  • Vand
  • Micah

Bearded Clams came up big this week, with a very clean win over Hate Being Sober and a very close game against Small and Soft. Hate Being Sober looked like they were taken off guard, and Small and Soft almost shared their same fate. At one point, Bearded Clams was actually up 4-1 before somewhat falling apart. Sometimes, momentum is everything when it comes to play these matches, and the teams that can regain that momentum can turn a losing scenario into a win, as has been proven by that match. Be that as it may, Bearded Clams are proving to be a late bloomer this season with their last 5 matches or so. The team is definitely not one to be counted out by any means, and for sure are not to be underestimated. Even so, it might be a little too late for them as they are one of the last teams to play both Meat Market and Cafe Monster. Even so, as long as they win their match against Mad Lux Blue, they should have at least 8 wins which just might make the cutoff for eighth place. And I think it goes without saying, an upset win against either of the top 2 teams would guarantee bearded clams a spot.


5. Hate Being Sober (7-4)

  • Kig
  • Farns
  • Walka
  • Dagger
  • Corsa
  • Rummy

Hate Being Sober got a rude awakening last week, expecting a win over Bearded Clams and instead getting their butts handed to them in a 30 minute 5-1 loss. Not to be deterred, the team faces one of their most difficult weeks of the season on sunshine against Cafe Monster and Small and Soft. Hopefully the team will be expecting a hard week and will come ready to play. But even if the worst is realized for this week, the team still has a decent shot at finishing the season 10-6 and should have no problem holding down their spot for playoffs. Next week on granary the team should have 2 easy wins over Pinoy Boys and Anteaters, and then will play their final match against a team unknown at this time. Personally, I'd like to see another match up between this team and Champagne and Cocaine, just to see how far these teams have progressed since they last met. I expect to see a good show this week from Hate Being Sober, but am a bit skeptical about their chances of an upset this week.


6. MAD LUXURIOUS-BLUE (6-6)

  • split_
  • wrech
  • simulate
  • powergamer
  • demoted
  • ex

The awful truth of the matter is that Mad Lux Blue might not make it to the post season with their current record and loss to Anteaters Chuckin Chairs. With matches against Meat Market coming up and facing Bearded Clams looking stronger than ever, the team just might not have the wins in order to stay afloat in the division, opening the doors to teams like Subspace Emissaries and their friends in Mad Lux Gold. While I would like to keep them in the rankings, its obvious to me at this point that this will probably be the last time we see Mad Lux Blue unless some crazy stuff happens and they can pull out more than just one win in the coming weeks. Even a record of 8-8 might not be good enough, as they are currently tied for rounds for with Subspace Emissaries. While I don't want to call it a foregone conclusion, my gut tells me its going to come down to one match against Subspace to decide which of these teams can hold on and sneak into that 8th seed. Good luck to both teams this week!


7. MAD LUXURIOUS – GOLD (7-5)

  • Lucrative
  • javaB
  • Hellboob
  • Pamphlet
  • Dancenumber
  • Fox

Unfortunately, Mad Lux Gold has hit a downward spiral these last two weeks with a 4 game losing streak and only one round taken from those four games. Hopefully, this week they will meet some respite with matches against Pizzagon eSports and Anteaters Chuckin Chairs, who don't have much of a chance in making the cut at this point but are still sticking out the rest of the season. Anteaters may have already ruined the chances of one Mad Lux team of making playoffs with their 5-1 win over Blue last week, and I'm sure they are eager to do it again this week. Pizzagon isn't actually too far off from perhaps sneaking into playoffs, but as long as Luc and the boys don't beef this week they should have secured their spot. Their granary week will be a rematch against Small and Soft and what is sure to be a close game for Dino Riders, who have had close matches with their new player. The Mad Lux bros will probably not have too much to worry about when it comes to making playoffs, but they are far from resting on their laurels quite yet.


8. Dino Riders (6-4)

  • xattuu
  • KTB
  • phlps
  • Tankman
  • icTus
  • rooks

Dino Riders had a rough badlands week, still able to pull a win over Sparkle Bunniis and subsequently kill the team, and then getting stomped on by Champagne and Cocaine. Reports from within say the team's morale has changed dramatically with the departure of Senor Mustard, but that was to be expected. I was hoping they would have a better game against Champy but was satisfied with the win over Sparkle Bunniis, even though Mason did a staggering 21k damage with 61 kills and 33 deaths. But hey, thats just badlands for ya, I guess. The team will be getting a free two rounds from Sparkle Bunniis this week, as well as a match against Meat Market. The Meat Market match should be be pretty predictable, but with a map like sunshine you never know what could be in store. The real test for Dino Riders will be against Mad Lux Gold on granary week, which would secure them a spot at either the 6th or 7th seed depending on how other matches go.



Match of the Week: Cafe Monster vs Champagne and Cocaine
  • Soapy
  • Goldfish
  • Purpleshirt
  • Desca
  • Highfive
  • yomps

  • Saam
  • SleepingLife
  • Waldo
  • Muma
  • Sezco
  • DolphinRider

by Valkeri

Sunshine isn’t all lollipops and rainbows; sometimes it can be difficult map for teams to master. It’s the newest edition to ESEA’s map pool, and it looks like it’s here to stay. This week’s MOTW is between Café Monster and Champagne and Cocaine. Café Monster is currently in 1st place with a 11-0-0 record, only dropping a few rounds here and there against the other top teams. C&C is sitting in 3rd place with a record of 9-3-0. C&C is looking to take away Café’s perfect season. However, Café is on form this season and looks like they won’t be stopped until playoffs.

Prediction 5-2 Café Monster

Players to Watch: Highfive, Desca, Sezco, Muma


Next week will be one of the last power rankings we get to before post season predictions start rolling out. Hold on to your butts!

1
#1
5 Frags +

Purple is the sunshine god, ez game for cafe.

Purple is the sunshine god, ez game for cafe.
2
#2
14 Frags +

We plan to use our advantage of having 12 people paid up to keep rotating players in during our match to give us the element of surprise.

We plan to use our advantage of having 12 people paid up to keep rotating players in during our match to give us the element of surprise.
3
#3
6 Frags +

careful, theres a monster in cafe

careful, theres a monster in cafe
4
#4
6 Frags +

rip sparkle bunnies :(

rip sparkle bunnies :(
5
#5
-9 Frags +

ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO MAKE PLAYOFFS
#9LOSSES
#FUCKMUSTARDOVERLORD

ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO MAKE PLAYOFFS
#9LOSSES
#FUCKMUSTARDOVERLORD
6
#6
-5 Frags +

IVE BEEN INFORMED WE HAVE 8 LOSSES
SOMEONE BEAT US PLEASE

IVE BEEN INFORMED WE HAVE 8 LOSSES
SOMEONE BEAT US PLEASE
7
#7
2 Frags +

great read

great read
8
#8
7 Frags +
botmodeIVE BEEN INFORMED WE HAVE 8 LOSSES
SOMEONE BEAT US PLEASE

dw you'll lose the rest of your matches.

[quote=botmode]IVE BEEN INFORMED WE HAVE 8 LOSSES
SOMEONE BEAT US PLEASE[/quote]

dw you'll lose the rest of your matches.
9
#9
7 Frags +

there is a storm coming

there is a storm coming
10
#10
4 Frags +
mthere is a storm coming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69opC5_xmsc

[quote=m]there is a storm coming[/quote]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69opC5_xmsc
11
#11
0 Frags +

I want that MOTW to be casted just so I can hear a caster say "Café is pushing through Café"

I want that MOTW to be casted just so I can hear a caster say "Café is pushing through Café"
12
#12
5 Frags +

DOLPHIN_RIDER

DOLPHIN_RIDER
13
#13
2 Frags +

11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: DUDE
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: I DID IT
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: WE BEAT MADLUX GOLD
11:22 PM - Take me high and I'll sing: I saw
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: HOLYSHIT
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: :OO

We need to stop feeding this little shit

11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: DUDE
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: I DID IT
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: WE BEAT MADLUX GOLD
11:22 PM - Take me high and I'll sing: I saw
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: HOLYSHIT
11:22 PM - pwR.cloudmaker: :OO

We need to stop feeding this little shit
14
#14
-7 Frags +

im sorry

im sorry
15
#15
1 Frags +

My plan to sell out Pizzagon to Dance via snapchat worked.

My plan to sell out Pizzagon to Dance via snapchat worked.
16
#16
7 Frags +

rumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen.

nooooooooo

i was busy setting this up http://play.esea.net/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=14423

[i]rumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen. [/i]

nooooooooo

i was busy setting this up http://play.esea.net/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=14423
17
#17
1 Frags +
rangarumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen.

nooooooooo

i was busy setting this up http://play.esea.net/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=14423

google translate cheated you. In fact it spelled welcome, the word in hindi. I think its स्वागत . (If you meant to say welcome thats the word). Its great to see ESEA come to india. Are they gonna start a league o.o

[quote=ranga][i]rumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen. [/i]

nooooooooo

i was busy setting this up http://play.esea.net/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=14423[/quote]

google translate cheated you. In fact it spelled welcome, the word in hindi. I think its स्वागत . (If you meant to say welcome thats the word). Its great to see ESEA come to india. Are they gonna start a league o.o
18
#18
0 Frags +

playoff math obviously too long for a forum post:
http://pyrodumbclass.tumblr.com/post/112068099659/playoff-math

playoff math obviously too long for a forum post:
http://pyrodumbclass.tumblr.com/post/112068099659/playoff-math
19
#19
5 Frags +

A very, very important reminder. There is a very good chance that playoffs will only be four teams this season especially after what happened last season and the fact that the top teams are clearly better than the rest.

A very, very important reminder. There is a very good chance that playoffs will only be four teams this season especially after what happened last season and the fact that the top teams are clearly better than the rest.
20
#20
0 Frags +

? no

? no
21
#21
9 Frags +
m? no

What does this even mean? Why is the question mark first, are you showing bewilderment before disagreeing. Do you have a link to an announcement otherwise and think that it was so obvious that the statement that Stochast1c made has no reasoning behind it? Why is that the full extent of your message.

Did you know that last season, IM playoffs consisted of 4 teams up until enough public outcry convinced them to change it. The argument could be made that the only reason they gave in was because they didn't announce it beforehand. Now there is a precedent, we have no real reason to expect it to be a 8 team playoff when that is more than half the teams in IM (only alive teams being counted).

[quote=m]? no[/quote]

What does this even mean? Why is the question mark first, are you showing bewilderment before disagreeing. Do you have a link to an announcement otherwise and think that it was so obvious that the statement that Stochast1c made has no reasoning behind it? Why is that the full extent of your message.

Did you know that last season, IM playoffs consisted of 4 teams up until enough public outcry convinced them to change it. The argument could be made that the only reason they gave in was because they didn't announce it beforehand. Now there is a precedent, we have no real reason to expect it to be a 8 team playoff when that is more than half the teams in IM (only alive teams being counted).
22
#22
1 Frags +
Xanm? no
What does this even mean? Why is the question mark first, are you showing bewilderment before disagreeing.

"what no"

[quote=Xan][quote=m]? no[/quote]

What does this even mean? Why is the question mark first, are you showing bewilderment before disagreeing.
[/quote]

"what no"
23
#23
1 Frags +

i personally thought it was going to be a 4-team playoff from the start, but everyone keeps saying 8, so i'm really confused

i personally thought it was going to be a 4-team playoff from the start, but everyone keeps saying 8, so i'm really confused
24
#24
2 Frags +

i thought it was going to be 4 teams as well

i thought it was going to be 4 teams as well
25
#25
2 Frags +

did anybody actually say it was going to be 4 teams? given that the "precedent" they set last season was changing it back from 4 to 8 teams I don't really see that happening. I assumed that was esea's fault and killing/tri had them change it back because similar situations have happened before in terms of merging conferences and the like. last season was the same situation except yomies ended up getting a lot better randomly towards the end of the season which made playoffs a lot less boring.

did anybody actually say it was going to be 4 teams? given that the "precedent" they set last season was changing it back from 4 to 8 teams I don't really see that happening. I assumed that was esea's fault and killing/tri had them change it back because similar situations have happened before in terms of merging conferences and the like. last season was the same situation except yomies ended up getting a lot better randomly towards the end of the season which made playoffs a lot less boring.
26
#26
1 Frags +

Shooter only said they were going to revert back for s17 and that they would be letting us know earlier with the amount of teams in playoffs for future seasons. Since they haven't said anything so far, I can only assume that they are staying with their 4 team im playoffs.

Shooter only said they were going to revert back for s17 and that they would be letting us know earlier with the amount of teams in playoffs for future seasons. Since they haven't said anything so far, I can only assume that they are staying with their 4 team im playoffs.
27
#27
2 Frags +

Given that IM is smaller than CS:GO Premier, which only got 4 teams in playoffs despite similar public outcry, I would assume that there's no way to avoid that this season.

Given that IM is smaller than CS:GO Premier, which only got 4 teams in playoffs despite similar public outcry, I would assume that there's no way to avoid that this season.
28
#28
2 Frags +
blazeitrangarumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen.

nooooooooo

i was busy setting this up http://play.esea.net/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=14423

google translate cheated you. In fact it spelled welcome, the word in hindi. I think its स्वागत . (If you meant to say welcome thats the word). Its great to see ESEA come to india. Are they gonna start a league o.o

Haha no idea man I'm guessing it's only for CS, I was just joking about it cause I was vacationing with my gf in India and Thailand the last few weeks and saw this post as soon as I arrived

[quote=blazeit][quote=ranga][i]rumor has it the team might be looking for another roamer for the time being, but who could be fulfilling a more permanent role remains to be seen. [/i]

nooooooooo

i was busy setting this up http://play.esea.net/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=14423[/quote]

google translate cheated you. In fact it spelled welcome, the word in hindi. I think its स्वागत . (If you meant to say welcome thats the word). Its great to see ESEA come to india. Are they gonna start a league o.o[/quote]

Haha no idea man I'm guessing it's only for CS, I was just joking about it cause I was vacationing with my gf in India and Thailand the last few weeks and saw this post as soon as I arrived
29
#29
1 Frags +

yeah i dont see whats the difference between this season and last season was alive team wise

there was 13 alive teams last season
8 went to playoffs
back around this time in s17, blockback/my team/cisco/yomies/satan takes the wheel were definitely a lot better than the other teams of im

there are 13 alive teams now
right now cafe/meat are definitely better than the rest

i assumed 8 team playoffs

yeah i dont see whats the difference between this season and last season was alive team wise

there was 13 alive teams last season
8 went to playoffs
back around this time in s17, blockback/my team/cisco/yomies/satan takes the wheel were definitely a lot better than the other teams of im


there are 13 alive teams now
right now cafe/meat are definitely better than the rest

i assumed 8 team playoffs
30
#30
1 Frags +
rangaHaha no idea man I'm guessing it's only for CS, I was just joking about it cause I was vacationing with my gf in India and Thailand the last few weeks and saw this post as soon as I arrived

Good to know you're back, dude :D

As for the 8 team playoff thing: last season the news that it would be 4 teams was met with very strong opposition. I doubt they would go back to the same decision when both seasons are very similar in terms of how many teams are alive etc. the only way to know for sure is to wait for the playoff announcement by ESEA, which doesn't usually happen until the last week of the regular season or so.

also congrats to pizzagon on their win over mad lux gold, but i honestly don't know if it will be enough to put you guys into the top 8 to make the post season.

[quote=ranga]Haha no idea man I'm guessing it's only for CS, I was just joking about it cause I was vacationing with my gf in India and Thailand the last few weeks and saw this post as soon as I arrived[/quote]

Good to know you're back, dude :D

As for the 8 team playoff thing: last season the news that it would be 4 teams was met with very strong opposition. I doubt they would go back to the same decision when both seasons are very similar in terms of how many teams are alive etc. the only way to know for sure is to wait for the playoff announcement by ESEA, which doesn't usually happen until the last week of the regular season or so.

also congrats to pizzagon on their win over mad lux gold, but i honestly don't know if it will be enough to put you guys into the top 8 to make the post season.
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