The MRO Overwatch: Open Finals Preview

As this will be the last article for The MRO Overwatch: Open, I have the luxury of writing a larger article. I will shortly touch upon both matches played last Thursday (those being EvH vs Project Eversio and Paradigm6 vs Underdogs) and provide a preview of the upcoming matches that will be played at the Malta Robotics Olympiad!

Both matches last Thursday proved to be incredibly entertaining, albeit for very different reasons. I’d like to start off with Project Eversio versus EvH, which was, all around, probably the highest level of play we have seen in the MRO Overwatch Open so far. If there is one match you’re going to watch in detail, it should be this one. Both teams showcased a broad range of strategies (from dive comps to turtle comps to standard play) and played incredibly synergistic. Particular praise goes out to Eversio’s duo of Reed and Serenity, whose Pharmercy-combo was able to carry entire maps. Reed’s Pharah proved to be by far the biggest problem for EvH, who showed some real trouble properly dealing with him. 

A moment where this was particularly bad was on Eichenwalde, where Reed was able to dispatch of a number of people with amazing aerial movement on the first point on offensive, following that up with pretty much negating Z4mbu’s questionable Reaper pick by always being out of range and raining down hell upon the team of EvH. Despite all this, EvH managed clinch victory in a very tight last round on Dorado. As was mentioned during the cast, it felt like Project Eversio was by far the more stable and consistent team. At the worst of times, EvH looked like they had no clue what they were doing, following up over-extensions with weird hero picks. At the same time, the games where they were winning they looked incredibly strong. 

It was this high level of play that they showcased most of the times when they were really under pressure. If EvH is able to find the source of their inconsistencies and really start playing to their full potential, I would be very surprised if they wouldn’t be able to finally beat the undefeated champions so far (and their opponent for the winners bracket final) : Paradigm6.

 

While we are on Paradigm6, turns out they are pretty good at Overwatch as they were able to handily deal with the Underdogs in a 3-0 victory. There isn't that much to be said about this series, as the raw quality of players of Paradigm6 proved to be too much for Underdogs teamwork to handle. A couple of notes: check Paradigm6's defense on Dorado where they ran an incredibly cool zone control comp using Widowmaker, Mei and Symmetra. While you're at it, check out the last game of Nepal where we had a short glimpse of what could've been an 80's sports movie if the stars had aligned - including Eye of the Tiger.

On to the preview! I was originally planning to do a power-ranking, but it would basically be a full copy of the standings after groups:

1) Paradigm6 (Should be self explanatory, all around amazing team where everyone can carry depending on whether or not they are feeling it)

2/3) EvH (depending on whether they play as well as we have seen them play)

3/2) Project Eversio (depending on whether EvH plays to their full potential, incredibly consistent)

4) The Underdogs (The kings of our hearts, but unfortunately not very consistent)

5) The rest of the teams (All these teams lack the raw skill necessary to really contest the four upper teams) 

The main match I'm personally looking forward to will be Paradigm6 vs. EvH, the winners final. I could sing praise for each individual player of Paradigm6, but suffice it to say that they are not only a team of individual powerhouses, but also seem like one of the teams with the deepest hero and strategy pool out of the tournament. I would be very surprised to see them toppled after the run they had so far. However, if there is one team that can do it, it is EvH. As previously mentioned, EvH is a team of mountains and valleys, where earthsthattering synergy and laserpoint-precision can be followed up with questionable heropicks and overextensions. If they perform at their highest level, they are undubitably able to defeat Paradigm6 - and as the Underdogs are very well aware, everyone loves to root for an underdog. 

New_Kings and Euphoria will face off in the losers bracket, as well as Project Eversio vs. Entropy. The first match should be relatively even, while the second one highly favors Project Eversio. The rest of the matches is to be destined, and I personally can't wait to see what is going to happen on the last days of the MRO Overwatch Open!

It has been a pleasure writing for you, and I'm looking forward to casting the matches next weekend!

Kind regards from your writer and caster,

Chronicler