Mark "masternook" Torrez
Chad "daffsta" White
Sam "devour" Chamma
Sonny "s0nNy" Tran
Cyrus "org" Habibi

The Carolina Core are the only team to not make significant roster changes since last season, switching out elusive for org due to inactivity. That isn't a change that can hurt a team either, as org is easily one of the best riflers today.

While the third seed heading into the playoffs isn't exactly bad, it's just not what you would expect from this team. Heading into the season they could have easily been predicted as the number one team, but they have simply under-performed. A terrible showing in their CGS season, as well as an overtime loss to suave prove just how much the Core's stock has dropped.

Strengths: With such a stable lineup, this team can explode at any time. If they start working like the well-oiled machine they are capable of, a first place isn't out of reach.

Weaknesses: Lack of motivation. The Core just doesn't seem to have the fire that they did during the first CGS season when they were trying to prove themselves as a top team. If they want to be crowned champions this season, they need to find that hunger again.

Prediction: Fourth. They just don't seem to be enjoying the game as their poor CGS performance showed.


Tarik "rockyte" Elkhatib
Mason "mason" Dickens
Philippe Olivier "PEX" Crepin
Keven "AZK" Lariviere
Chris "deppy" DePaul

x3o seems like it's a breeding ground for upcoming top players. PEX, AZK, and deppy are all young and extremely talented. Combine that with the experience and leadership of rockyte and mason, and you have yourself a pretty well balanced squad.

The team had a rough start to the season, plagued by roster issues. One of their star players, sunman, was snatched up by the Dallas Venom only a couple games into the start of the season, leaving them without a fifth. They struggled to find a fifth but eventually picked up deppy, although they still had trouble fielding five for most matches, resorting to using starry for a couple matches. They had an unfortunate five-game losing streak, but finished out the season strong with a win over the Core.

Strengths: If this team practices enough, they can be dangerous. With such a great balance of raw skill and experience, this team can take out any of the top teams on a good day.

Weaknesses: Inconsistency. Despite most of it coming from their roster problems, the team is still pretty inconsistent and that can hurt them in the playoffs.

Prediction: Fifth. Somebody has to go out early, and unless x3o shows a ton of improvement, it's probably going to be them.



Stephen "sasquatcH" Csikos
Matt "ChEekz" Csikos
Todd "anger" Williams
Dan "railm0" Locilento
Keith "KwicK" Wickenhauser

Devastation had a huge roster overhaul at the beginning of the season, replacing deppy, tech, and dubs for anger, railm0, and Nibbler. The move seemed to work out at first when they took a convincing victory over Carolina. They eventually added KwicK later on in the season who rotated in and out of the starting five.

Overall they had a mediocre season, barely sneaking into the playoffs with the final spot. A couple of victories over both the CGS teams show they have the potential to take out the big dogs, but losses to teams like FEVER and suave show they can play on both ends of the spectrum.

Strengths: They have a great leader in sasquatcH, who not only seems to hold the team together, but also puts up huge numbers just about every match. They'll need him to come up big this weekend if they want to go far.

Weaknesses: This team is also highly inconsistent. One week they beat Venom, and the next they lose 13-3 to suave.

Prediction: Sixth. It really depends on which team shows up, the one that can defeat the top teams with ease, or the one who gives the worst team in the league their first win?