CWL Atlanta 2018 - Too Close to Call

Stage 1 of the Global Pro League for COD: WWII will be taking a short break this week as a major event will be shaking things up. The next COD Major LAN comes in the form of CWL Atlanta, and it couldn't have come at a better time. With so much going on in terms of storylines and competition, this event is a must-watch for all Call of Duty enthusiasts. 

The format of the event is nothing new: $200,000 on the line and 160 teams fighting for it. All of this will take place this very weekend from the 9th to the 11th. Below are the groups which were drawn last week, and then we'll dive straight into the meat of the discussion. 

Pool A

• Rise Nation
• Splyce
• Echo Fox
• Epsilon Esports
• TBD open bracket team

Pool B

• Luminosity
• Team Kaliber
• Evil Geniuses
• Team Vitality
• TBD open bracket team

Pool C

• OpTic Gaming
• FaZe Clan
• eRa Eternity
• eUnited:
• TBD open bracket team

Pool D

• Team Envy
• Red Reserve
• UNILAD
• Mindfreak
• TBD open bracket team

If you'd like to learn more about the rosters individually, then head on over to this link. This article would be too long to list them all.

Open Bracket 

Regarding the Group Stage, I think it's only fair we consider the Open Bracket teams most likely to enter. Six names likely to fill in the four gaps include Ghost Gaming, Lightning Pandas, GGEA Orange, compLexity and Most Wanted - yet again captained by Doug "Censor" Martin who simply won't give up on his comeback. GGEA Orange was indeed the team that completely upset eUnited with a reverse sweep in the National Circuit last week.

That leads us to the most important question - Whose taking home the trophy? Who is the best team right now? 

Top Dogs with a Limp

A sure answer is plainly impossible, and that's a great sign which demonstrates the intense competition which the community relishes. Team Kaliber? The winners of the past two events have been suffering the #MavenWasRight as a prolific caster on a talk show predicted that they wouldn't win another event this year. Since that bold prophecy, TK have slumped in performances against other top contenders as well as unthinkable losses which were once sure wins. Perhaps TK is a team that shines in the LAN atmosphere, or perhaps the reign of TK is over. 

Another team which is looking shaky as it heads into the event is none other than the Greenwall. Optic Gaming have performed very well in the Pro League up until now, though this is stained with some inconsistent behaviour and brutal losses to lesser teams. They'll need to play like we know they can this weekend for them to win it. After a top 12 finish at New Orleans, Optic Gaming are desperate to get their first event win to back up their victory at last year's Championship. 

Top Four Predicted

The top three names most likely to win at CWL Atlanta are Rise Nation, Luminosity Gaming, Faze Clan and Team Envy. All of these three rosters have a healthy mix of pure slaying capability, youth, potential and a ceiling not yet reached. Players such as "TJHaly" of Rise and "Huke" from Team Envy only get you excited for the future of competitive Call of Duty. Expect the Winners' Bracket to be heavily contested by these teams. 

Luminosity, on the other hand, is utilising the in-game leadership from two-time Championship Winner "JKap" together with the uncanny slaying ability from "Octane" to form a ruthless combo. Speaking of slaying; Faze Clan are certainly the team which benefitted most from the recent patch without any doubt. Having a total of four submachinegun players on their roster, shifting the meta has led to them playing how they wish. It's an absolute blast to watch. 

Personally, I see Rise Nation and Luminosity facing off in the Grand Final. 

Disappointments and Teams to Watch 

eUnited, roughly a month ago, was considered one of the best teams in the scene. Recent performance says otherwise. Finishing just shy of the bottom, the roster seems to be facing some internal problems in communication and structure. The lone SMG in "Prestinni" is finding it difficult to cope with the new meta, but is doing the best he can. At the 2018 Canadian Championship Finals last week, GGEA Orange managed to take down eUnited, who were the only pro team at the event. That was embarrassing. 

The list of teams to watch is quite lengthy, as these teams mainly form the second tier of Call of Duty competition it seems. Examples include the rallying Mindfreak, Echo Fox and Red Reserve. Within their respective groups in the Pro League, these teams have taken down some of the biggest names, while losing to them just as easily. 

Group of Death?

The general consensus among the community sees Pool C as this event's Group of Death, and for good reason. As listed above, Optic, Faze and eUnited face off with eRa Eternity in the mix. If eUnited decide to bring their A-game, this group is one which won't be decided until the final game. 

Scheduling and Conclusion

The schedule of the event is normal relative to the other events of the year, with Pool Play kicking off on Friday and the gameplay building up to the Finals on Sunday. 

In conclusion, CWL Atlanta will be the ray of light through the fog, the truth through the unclarity that is the CoD competitive scene. Personally, I cannot get enough of the competition. Sadly though, this will be the first event after Jack "Courage Dunlop stepped down from casting to stream full-time. He will surely be missed.