compLexity LA

LA compLexity. It's a name known by many in the Counter-Strike community. With it comes many things: the knowledge that the team is dominant. The knowledge that they have the skills and experience to destroy all that stand in their way. The knowledge that this season, they have the chance to be the FIRST 3-time CEVO-P CSS champions.

Strengths
It's been said time and time again. Now that the Zomblerz are through, no team possibly has the dedication and preparation that coL has. The degree of seriousness that they take this game is something to behold. Individually they're great. Together, they're virtually unstoppable. Ronald "Rambo" Kim is still a great strat-caller. Danny "fRoD" Montaner is still one of the best AWPs in the game. compLexity is still the team to beat, the team to be feared.

Weaknesses
You may laugh, but it's true. coL.css does have weaknesses. The first, and most important, is that the pressure is ALL on them. As the saying goes, "it's not about getting to the top, it's about STAYING there." LA is under a huge amount of pressure to maintain the standard of excellence that they are known for. Being 2-time CEVO champions, as well as 2-time Digital Life Champions, and now adding the CGS Individual World Champions to that resumé...that's a lot for any team to keep up. Related to the pressure, are the holes in coL's armor. Contrary to popular belief, compLexity is not invincible. They had their perfect season spoiled by Pandemic last season. They were knocked into the lower bracket by San Francisco Optx at Newegg Lanfest. And, lest we forget, they were defeated in Overtime by the upstart Team XFX. If a team can play smart, get some luck on their side, and catch LA on an off day, upsets WILL BE in order, as tall as that order may be.

Recent Accomplishments: 1st Place, CGS Region 1 CSS (10-2); 1st place, CEVO-P Season 4 (10-1); Winners, CEVO/NationVoice Playoffs (2-time); 1st Place, Digital Life 2007; 1st Place, Newegg Lanfest 2k7; CGS Individual World Finals Champions

Dallas Venom

If there is any team that needs to be watched, it is most certainly the Dallas Venom. They've already proven their skill online. Last season, they finished on a 7-game win streak, and in the playoffs, they made it all the way to the Upper Bracket Finals before being knocked out by the eventual Grand Final teams, LA and Gravitas. That success hasn't translated to LAN, where their only LAN since the end of Region 1 was a poor showing at Newegg Lanfest, and even in CGS Region 1, they had a dismal 3-9 record for CSS. Between that, and the lack of online competition, don't be surprised if Dallas comes out the gates slow.

Strengths:
This team is nothing if it doesn't have experienced players. Josh "Dominator" Sievers is a veteran of the old Team 3D, and brings plenty of skill to the table. Then we turn to the Venom's latest pickup: the one, the only, Eric "brawwr" Neer. With brawwr, Venom gains one of the best AWPs in the game today, as well as a player known for preparedness. This addition is nothing but a plus for Venom, and should prove to be the difference-maker in close matches.

Weaknesses
Lack of playtime on a competitive level spells trouble for the Venom. It's hard to just flip the proverbial switch, and not even scrims can get someone into that unique mindset one NEEDS to perform in a match. And of course, one cannot talk about Dallas without talking about the man brawwr replaced, Kevin "aZn" Wang. aZn was fined $5,000 dollars by CGS for playing in an unsanctioned 1.6 tournament, and then had his contract terminated outright, after comments he made about CGS' announcement that Counter-Strike 1.6 would be included in their new Online league. This has officially become the most controversial story to date in CGS' young existence, with the proverbial battle lines clearly drawn around the community and the greater Internet. Venom is stuck in the middle, and this will follow them into the CEVO season, where it may prove to be a bigger distraction than even the Venom realize.

Recent Accomplishments: 6th Place, CGS Region 1 CSS (3-9); 2nd Place, CEVO-P Season 4 (9-2); 3rd Place, CEVO/NationVoice Playoffs; Eliminated in Group Play, Newegg Lanfest 2k7