by JR Cook - 9 years ago     show comments

Day 2 of the Americas Championship starts in less than an hour.  By the end of the day we will know which two teams will be heading to Blizzcon for the Heroes of the Storm World Championships.

Day 1 featured some outstanding games, and some amazing plays.  Here’s hoping that Day 2 brings more of the same.

Let’s look at what is on tap today, and see if we can do a better job predicting what will happen than we did yesterday.

Match 9: Relics vs. compLexity

The South East Asia qualifier, Relics, has given us more than their fare share of interesting games.  The three warrior team they drafted yesterday had everyone in the area talking.  They have promised more surprises today, so it will be interesting to see what they have in store for us.  CompLexity, came up short after an exciting series vs. COGnitive.  They are a very steady team, and they could easily just grind Relics down.  Maybe it is wishful thinking, but I love an underdog so I am going with Relics here, 2-1.

Match 10: Murloc Geniuses vs. Cloud9

If we know anything about MG, it is that they will show us some interest team comps.  Unfortunately, Cloud9 is the most fundamentally sounds of all the NA teams, so they should be able to handle whatever MG throws at them.  In the interest of being right for a change, I am going to say C9 takes this 2-0, but I would really like to see MG pick up a game and take this to the distance.

Match 11: Tempo Storm vs. Match 9 winner

According to my picks, this should be TS vs. Relics, but I could easily be wrong.  While Relics has performed the best of all the regional qualifiers, they are no match for Tempo Storm.  TS in a sweep, 2-0.

Match 12: COGnitive vs. Match 10 winner

There is little doubt here, this should be COG vs. Cloud9.  COG has a very distinctive style, and one of their weaknesses is a tendency to get outdrafted.  Not only does C9 have a huge edge mechanically, but I think they will also be able to come out ahead on the draft as well.  COG will make plays and apply pressure, but C9 will be unphased.  2-0 Cloud9.

Match 13: winner of 11 vs. winner of 12

Both of the teams in this match will have qualified for the World Championships at Blizzcon, this game will decide who is the Americas Champion.  Chances are good that this will be a rematch of the two best teams in North America.  Tempo seems quite confident that they have fixed the issues that allowed C9 to defeat them earlier this month.  Based on yesterdays match, they appear to be right.  Traditionally, games between these teams have featured an edge in the early game for C9, with TS getting the best of the late game to come out on top.  When these two teams played yesterday, Tempo was able to get the best of the early and late game, and they seemed to be in complete control.  I think Cloud9 will able to make some adjustments, but Tempo Storm will take the title with a 3-2 victory.

Regardless of which teams are able to advance, this weekend has given us some outstanding games to enjoy.  Let’s all give a hearty GG WP to all of the teams involved!