As the second split of Year 4 in the ALGS Pro League concludes this Sunday, both the EMEA and North America regions are set for a thrilling finale. With the Match Point system in play and coveted spots at the LAN event at stake, the competition promises to be fierce.
This weekend’s ALGS Split 2 Regional Finals will offer fans a chance to witness some of the season’s most intense action. Key moments and strategic plays will be crucial as teams vie for their place in the next stage.
Competing Teams
The ALGS Regional Finals feature the top 20 teams from each Pro League region. These elite squads are battling it out to secure their LAN positions on Sunday.
Teams Already Secured for LAN
Several teams have essentially guaranteed their places at the LAN event, based on Bereft13’s model. These teams have a 95% or higher probability of qualifying.
Teams with a 100% Chance
- Team Falcons
- FURIA
- TSM
- Luminosity Gaming
- Spacestation Gaming
- BLEED Esports
- Liquid Alienware
- Alliance
Teams with a High Chance
- Pioneers (99.44%)
- Complexity (97.86%)
- FaZe Clan (99.94%)
- Passion UA (99.62%)
Four North American spots remain undecided out of the 12 total. The situation in EMEA is even less certain, with only half of the eight available spots confirmed.
Five Key Elements to Watch for During the ALGS Split 2 Regional Finals
Impact of the POI Draft on Tournament Dynamics
This Regional Finals marks the debut of the new POI Draft system. Unlike the previous “snake seed” method, the top team in each region was given first and 21st picks, second place received the 2nd and 22nd picks, and so forth. This allowed statistically stronger teams to select more advantageous drop spots.
Skyhook West emerged as a favored spot during the Pro League, with many high-performing teams opting for it. A key question is whether these choices will pay off, especially considering the excellent loot Skyhook West and Trials offer. However, this strategic decision may have affected their selections on Storm Point, presenting a unique challenge for teams like Team Falcons and Alliance.
Cloud9: Aiming for a Repeat Performance
Cloud9 enters the Regional Finals with the pressure of securing a strong performance to qualify for LAN. Last Split, they defied expectations with successful landings at Dome and Coastal Camp. Despite an inconsistent performance this Split, Cloud9 has an overall qualification chance of 68%.
Cloud9’s selected drop spots, Jurassic and Overlook, align well with their early rotation playstyle. These locations should offer a tactical advantage. Even if Cloud9 finishes 8th, their qualification chance would rise to 93%, with a slim chance still existing even at 20th place. The team’s past experience in handling Regional Finals pressure could play in their favor again.
Intense Title Showdown in the EMEA Region
The EMEA region promises a thrilling battle for the Pro League title in addition to a spot at the Split 2 Playoffs. With only two points separating Alliance and Gaimin Gladiators, the competition is fierce. Points awarded based on match performance will determine the winner.
Alliance must finish above Gaimin Gladiators or earn three more points than them to secure the title. FaZe Clan and Passion UA are also in contention but would need top-two finishes and poor performances from the leading teams. The dynamic nature of match points means the lead could change multiple times throughout the day.
Team Falcons’ Dominance on Storm Point
Team Falcons have been formidable on Storm Point, nearly doubling the point-per-game average of their closest competitors. This performance is one of the strongest in ALGS history. Despite a more average showing on World’s Edge, where they rank 11th, Team Falcons selected their first pick drop spot on this map, potentially increasing their threat level on both maps.
An intriguing scenario might arise if Team Falcons reach Match Point. It remains to be seen whether they will close it out on World’s Edge or prefer to wait for Storm Point. The Draft system prevents other teams from landing on them, and Checkpoint’s elevation makes it difficult to attack them immediately.
Aurora and NIP: Potential Comebacks
Aurora and Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) face a challenging road to LAN qualification, with both teams having slim chances. Aurora’s qualification probability stands at less than 10%, making a second-place finish necessary. For NIP, only a win or a top-three finish can significantly boost their chances.
Aurora’s dominant performance in Split 1 reflects their potential, but the Draft System has placed them in a difficult position. Their selected POIs might facilitate an edge playstyle. Both teams possess the talent to defy the odds, but their path to qualification remains steep.
