CAL-DOD Intermediate Mid-Season Review

By tR-Ta|oN

This write up is based on my opinions of the teams, the stats listed on the CAL webpage and comments given to me by the respected leaders. Since there are quite a few teams in IM this season, I am only doing paragraphs on the top five teams in each division. I will try to keep my opinions on the level, basing them on scrim/match experience and community talk. Please feel free to critique me in a constructive manner and enjoy the article.


Division: Gamma

That's a Paddlin


- Team Leader: Effect
- Team XO: N/A
- Record: 4-0
- Starting Roster:
Effect - Sniper
Ham - Rifle
KK - Rifle
Scangus - Rifle
Mission/Mexico - Heavy/Light
Surge - Heavy/Light

So far this season TAP has done well for themselves, although I feel they hadn't really had a noteworthy test of their skill until this past week on Anzio. They played a strong Wyze team and were able to pull off a commanding victory. Despite some misgivings the community has been having about their legitimacy, Effect and crew hope to do well this season in order to place well for CPL, so they can have a good showing and dispell some of the "myths" about them. With their solid roster they should go far. I believe we will be seeing them in the playoffs for sure.



Rugburn


- Team Leader: McGoo
- Team XO: Nemesis
- Record 4-0
- Starting Roster:
McGoo - Light
Punisher - Rifle
Exoh - Rifle
Fazzman - Heavy
Nemesis - Heavy
Russianstyle - Sniper

A CPL bound team, Rb is the Second 4-0 team in Gamma. They are fairly seasoned, with their core players being together for at least a couple of seasons now, having also played a lot together in TPG and on other teams. Last season they saw action in CAL Main, but the virus that is WoW, took over their team, causing them to be moved down. Now, after a crushing victory over Souls Never Die, I foresee them to go far this season, and we should see them in playoffs, but let?s see how well they do against Vex this Wed. Although they are doing well, McGoo has a modest outlook on the season, saying that even though we are 4-0, there are still a lot of undefeated teams in IM.


Team Vex


- Team Leader: dYe
- Team XO: Triggs
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
dYe - Heavy
Triggs - Rifle
Agent - Heavy
Joker - Sniper
xtC - Rifle
doza/xk - Rifle

When scrimming against vex, you get the sense that they know what they are doing, and they can handle themselves in scrims. This shows as they were tested early on, playing against TAP on Donner. Since then however, they have had a relatively easy schedule. This fact and past seasons in Open, have led to rumblings that vex is nothing but scrim stars. When presented with that statement, vex simply states that if you think that, dispute them in CAL, and let the admins decide. So as the season progresses we will be able to see more of their skill, especially with a tough match-up against Rugburn this Wed. However, despite this, I believe they too will be a playoff contender.


Team Wyze


- Team Leader: Ender
- Team XO: graF
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster
Ender - Heavy
HLA - Heavy
graF - Rifle
Master Act - Sniper
Acab - Rifle/Light
Chubbyzero - Rifle

I have had an opportunity to scrim against Wyze a couple of times, and they have shown their mettle in scrims. However, when it comes to matches, they haven't really been tested until this past week against TAP, losing by a 173 point margin. Granted it is only one game of an eight game season, so we will probably see Wyze in the playoffs. They hope to do well this season and get back up to main, as many of their players previously played on main teams such as Overdose and Fx. They also are attending CPL, and hope that by doing well in IM, they will also place well for CPL.



Clan VEC


- Team Leader: [4]
- Team XO: [11]
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
[4] - Light
[6] - Sniper
[187] - Rifle
[23] - Heavy
[67] - Heavy
[69] - Rifle

Clan VEC, the numbered name clan, is doing well so far. The issue with that though, is the strength of their schedule. So far it has been found wanting. While they have been able to take it to some of the lower end IM teams, I don?t see them being able to keep up with the IM teams that should probably be in M. It shows by the blow out they suffered to TAP on a skill map like Harrington. While I see them continuing to do well in IM, I don?t see them making the jump to M or getting far in the playoffs, though they may surprise some people. A generally ?down-to-earth? guy, 4 has told me he hopes for his team to continue to improve and make the playoffs this season. We will get to see what progress they have made, in their match against Wyze this Wed.


Division: Delta

Dying Breed


- Team Leader: Pb
- Team XO: Stilz
- Record: 4-0
- Starting Roster:
Pb - Sniper
Jordan - Heavy
Def - Heavy
Jackson - Rifle
Stilz - Rifle
Franco - Rifle

Dying Breed, formally Team Scrabble, is probably the most controversial team in DoD. With a reputation for being shady and a bunch of e-thugs, many teams don?t like playing them. However, this isn?t stopping them from reaching their goals. Having one of the toughest schedules of any of the 4-0 teams, db has proven themselves worthy of reaching their goal - IM finals; but as they say, anything can happen in the playoffs. They also hope to dispel some of the unease players and teams feel about them, and perhaps re-shape their image.


General Infantry


- Team Leader: Trickstuff
- Team XO: Duke
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Trickstuff - Heavy
Duke - Heavy
Retaehc - Sniper
Spectre - Rifle
Tweak - Rifle
Killjoy - Rifle

GI has been a team to reckon with from the beginning. Surprising a lot of people, they have come out strong this season, beating teams they were predicted to lose to. Coming out on top over the Pineriders and giving db a serious run for their money are accomplishments to be recognized. With a solid line-up, GI simply looks to have fun and play together as friends, if they happen to win along the way, so much the better. We will get to see more of their skill level this coming Wed. in their match against Nexus


Nexus


- Team Leader: Viper
- Team XO: Replay
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Viper - Light
Replay - Heavy
Dietrich - Heavy
Icm - Rifle
Kono - Rifle
Spartan - Sniper

Unfortunately I don?t know much about this team, so I am basically going on things that I have heard and from interviews with the team. Looking at their schedule so far, I would have to believe that nexus is a fairly solid team. They only lost to db by 19 points on Donner, and then beating the Pineriders speaks for itself. As a team they are working to get to Main, and if an IM title comes with it, they won?t complain. So far I believe this team has proved itself a contender in IM, and I am sure we will be seeing them in the playoffs.


Nihilist


- Team Leader: epoxy
- Team XO: justin
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Epoxy - Light
Punky - Heavy
Hemo - Heavy
Snipez - Sniper
Loki - Rifle
Flame - Rifle

Nihilist is a veteran IM team that has been around in name for awhile now. Many of its members are new and from a couple of different teams all merged into one. This seems to be the issue for this team, as they seem to have a hard time getting a set starting six. So far they have had a relatively easy schedule. The recent match on Anzio vs. dying breed was their first challenge, in which they did not prevail. As the season continues we will see how they do, as they have yet to play the other tough opponents of Delta.


Neuroflux


- Team Leader: Basic
- Team XO: Jorden
- Record: 2-2
- Starting Roster:
Basic - heavy
Eyez - heavy
Hero - Rifle
Jorden - Light
Kicken - Sniper
Hb/thrice - Rifle

One of the few teams to make the top five with a 2-2 record, Neuroflux has been plagued with a variety of roster problems, ranging from bannings to the WoW epidemic. They also lost some of their more experienced players to Main and Invite teams. So the hopes of Basic and crew are to establish a solid starting roster, a strong base in teamwork, and maybe catch a few breaks in the scheduling department. Expect to see more of this team down the road, especially when they get their roster under control. So, this coming Wed will be a test for them, as they play Nihilist.


Division: Omega

Unsung Heroes


- Team Leader: Mantis
- Team XO: Snipper
- Record: 4-0
- Starting Roster:
Mantis - Rifle
Snipper - Sniper
Demon - Rifle
Jacks - Heavy
Baba Yaga - Light
Meerkat - Rifle

UH is one of the more star studded clans in IM, having players from former teams like Gamewyze and Anti-Virus, they will be a tough opponent for any of the other 4-0 teams come playoffs time. With the recent victory over Gaming Royalty, UH has proven that they are the top dogs in their division. Look for them to have one of the top seeds in the upcoming postseason. Despite their winning streak, Mantis hopes to push his team as far as possible and see where it lands them; and if they continue on their present course, they may land pretty far.


Gaming Royalty


- Team Leader: 10101010
- Team XO: Shizz
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
10101010 - Sniper
Rooster - Heavy
Maddox - Heavy
The Game - Rifle
Baloo - Rifle/Light
Lars - Rifle


After a disappointing loss to UH on Anzio, GR, with what appears to be a bye (as they are not scheduled), hopes to rebound and continue on their previous course. With a solid roster and good teamwork, this team is tough to beat and will go far this season. Some may question the legitimacy of players like The Game and Baloo, yet they have come up clean thus far. Despite the qualms that the community may be having, GR keeps working toward improving and we will be seeing them in the playoffs for sure.


Seclusion


- Team Leader: Explodey
- Team XO: Zegermans
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Explodey - Rifle
Dmh - Rifle
Hayyez - Rifle
Zegermans - Heavy
Robby - Heavy
Rawr - Sniper

Having played Sec in a couple of scrims, I know that these guys are pretty good. With a healthy attitude, their main goal is to gain recognition for this skill and they hope to move on to the next level. They have had some stiff competition so far this season, beating BLT by only one point and losing to GR. However, this isn?t stopping them from continuing to improve, especially on maps that they haven?t performed well on. Still, with the stable and active roster that they have, I see them overcoming this soon. I also see them making the playoffs and getting far in them as well.


Team Rage


- Team Leader: Talon
- Team XO: Tiacus
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Talon - Rifle/Light/Heavy
Tiacus - Rifle
Ajax - Rifle
Krod - Heavy
Ghostface - Heavy
Skifree - Sniper

Team rage is coming up on two years old, so they are one of the older teams in IM and their core players have developed quite a rapport with one another. They hope to continue to do well and reach their goal of returning to Main and a higher level of play.


deadboLT


- Team Leader: Akiro
- Team XO: Todo
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Todo - Heavy
Sp|der - Heavy
Akiro - Rifle
Timmy - Rifle
Hollywood - Rifle
Whck - Sniper

A fairly solid team, deadbolt is coming off of some roster changes that had affected them earlier in the season. So far their only loss was to UH, the current 4-0 team in Omega, but they did have a very close match with BLT, so we will see how they do against some of the other tough clans. They hope now to gain a solid starting six that has the team work they desire. Ultimately they hope to do well in the playoffs and reach the next level. So as they continue to work on this goal, I believe we will be seeing them get better and better. With a tough match coming up against Seclusion, we will get to see how their teamwork has progressed.

Division: Theta

Dazed and Confused


- Team Leader: jbrown
- Team XO: Havoc
- Record: 4-0
- Staring Roster:
Jbrown - Rifle
Rupert - Rifle
Moosh - Rifle
Caffineaddict - Sniper
Ruxa - Heavy
Havoc - Heavy

Also one of the five 4-0 teams, dNc has managed to set themselves firmly at the top of the ladder in Theta. However, a couple of matches they had were close, such as with gomi and MP. Granted the match with gomi was on that worthless map Merderet, but the match with MP was a surprise however, since it was on the skill map, Harrington, although they did have some lag issues. Despite this, I think they will continue to do well, and they will most likely be a contender for the IM finals. They are also attending Summer CPL and they hope to do well there as well.


Get Off My Internet


- Team Leader: Seven
- Team XO: Sonik
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Seven - Heavy
Quirkz - Heavy
Ko - Rifle
Jfogle - Rifle
Sonik - Rifle
Luk - Sniper

Like TAP, gomi is a CS convert team, and thus far have been making a name for themselves. To supplement their roster and to help them learn the ropes of DoD, they have picked up the Invite heavy Quirkz and are getting help from some of the players of the former team Ronin. Despite this though, some in the community are questioning their legitimacy as well. Not unlike TAP in this regard, gomi simply shrugs off the accusations and continues on toward their goal of reaching CAL-Main. While not attending CPL as a team, several of them are attending with their CS teams, so perhaps we will see some of them there as well. I am sure this team will stay in the top 5 and secure a spot in the playoffs.


Military Police


- Team Leader: Elite
- Team XO: Red Rocks
- Record: 3-1
- Starting Roster:
Elite - Rifle
Red Rocks - Light
Kyle - Rifle
NadeMaster - Heavy
Hilljack - Heavy
Kuma - Sniper

Believed by many teams to be a pushover, MP has surprised a lot of people that have underestimated them. This being a goal of the team, they hope to continue to do well, and take it to those teams that do underestimate them. So we will see how they do against gomi on the upcoming match on Sherman. Having a pretty even schedule so far, MP has done well for themselves, holding their own with the Main move down team dNc and beating the other Main move down, rL. If they keep on their current track, having more close games with the tough teams and beating the ones under them, we will probably see them in the playoffs. With aspirations for higher levels of play, MP continues to work hard as a team, scrimming many times a week and establishing good communication. I think they will continue to surprise people.


Kickin [A]ss Knightly


- Team Leader: Piing
- Team XO: Chadox
- Record: 2-2
- Starting Roster:
Piing - Heavy/Light
Chadox - Sniper
D.Young - Rifle
Mr. Majestyk - Heavy
FranktheTank - Heavy/Light
Dr. Coldfingers - Rifle

A team that has personally surprised me, KAN is not one to be underestimated. With players like D. Young and Majestyk anchoring their line-up, anyone who does underestimate them, won?t like the result. Even though they are 2-2, I think they have done well for themselves so far; losing a close game with dNc on Donner, and losing another close one with Ghost on Merderet. Despite my earlier praise, I am not entirely sure that they will remain in the top five, as their two wins were against relatively weak teams. They have a tough match coming up with rL, so we will see if they can beat the other Main move-down. This match will certainly determine whether or not KAN is worthy of the top five in Theta.

Rise of Legends


- Team Leader: Up2nogd
- Team XO: Dullumis
- Record: 2-2
- Starting Roster:
Up2nogd - Light/Heavy
Killgore - Sniper
Mel - Heavy/Rifle/Sniper
Flyingman - Heavy/Sniper
Chipmunk - Sniper
[Rotating position]

As you can see from the roster listed, this has been rL?s problem from the beginning. Suffering from the WoW virus, and other real life issues, many of the players on the rL?s roster aren?t around to scrim or play in the matches. This makes it hard for them to establish a solid six and get the teamwork and communication skills needed to be a good team. However, I think that despite this, they still have a good chance at securing a playoff spot. Attending summer CPL, they hope to do well this season so that they may get a decent seed for the LAN.


Up and Coming Teams:

Brave Little Toasters: BLT is first on my list simply for two reasons, a one point loss to Seclusion and an eight point loss to deadbolt. Both of their losses could have gone either way, especially being in one of the more even divisions in terms of skill. I can easily see them in the top five down the road, and if they continue to improve, we will see them in the playoffs for sure.

Pineriders: Having some CAL I players on their team, pr should be one of the better teams record wise, but it seems they are having issues with their roster and teamwork. So hopefully they can get things under control and their way back up to the top.

Ghost: I do not know much about ghost, but I have heard some good things. I put them in this category because while they have a lower RPI than KAN, they did beat them. So if Ghost gets better and beats some more teams and KAN loses to some teams, we could easily see Ghost in the top five.