Week 1 SUMMARY:
So the first week is over and its already turned the race on its head for half of the clans competing. This will be a reoccurring post where I trot out my beloved graphs and you fawn over them, shower me with praise and I giggle with delight!
Since this is the first week, there is little to compare right now. But VS and M'Hunters are off in the lead, the clear and early favourites for promotion this season. Both have been strong on the 1v1 templates with few losses so far. It isn't a big surprise their results so far, most predicted those two to promote.
Now onto BIA! The first surprise of the season with a commendable performance so far. I doubt anyone thought BIA would do so well. BIA is an older clan and that they are composed of a core contingent of players that are strong and dependable. This clan is the one to watch where it finishes, because the 5th place prediction seems to be drastically under estimating them.
Now onto the two clans that, ummm, are doing poorer then expected. CORP and Hydra have differing reasons for their performance so far.
CORP has had 4 boot losses on 1v1, 2 by Quicksand on ME SR and 2 by Angry Koala on Treasure Map. Quicksand did get booted, but has been active in games. But Angry Koala has been MIA. They have been booted in both their 3v3 Great Lakes games during picks, and seems likely to get booted in two more Treasure Maps games over the next 2 days. So, this is weighing down CORP which has started off ok. These boots put into question CORP's ability to challenge for promotion simply due to the lowering of their max points.
Hydra on the other hand has simply been underperforming. With a series of losses and few wins, most wins are from boot wins, their effectiveness and strength clearly are questionable long term in this division. So, they aren't getting booted like CORP but can they perform later in the tournament?
Lastly to LEA, they are in last place after winning the first game of the tournament. So, they seem destined to relegate. Hydra is doing poorly, and CORP has boots, but each seem to have more potential for growth later in the tournament in my opinion.
So, if LEA is relegating, we need to clarify the relegations for C this season. It is my understanding that only one clan is relegating from C this season with 2 promoting from D. I don't see two clans relegating from C, I honestly don't. So if LEA is the only clan relegating, the order of BIA, Hydra and CORP isn't quite as important in the end.
But who knows, a clan could drop out again above these clans. As with last season, position is important and all three clans are eyeing 3rd place intensely.