OpTic Gaming is the best team in the world, right? The combination of Formal’s map awareness, Crimsix’s unparralled talent and Scump’s ridiculous twitch shot, and let’s not forgot Nadeshot’s objective play, should on paper be unmatched, right? Well, the answer to that question may shock you, but if you’re an OpTic fan, don’t be too quick to jump at my throat, because you need only accentuate your elation. The ever so fruitless, talent and placement wise, OpTic Nation project has now bloomed into one of the most prosperous investments, at least on paper, by Hector “Hecz” Rodriquez, the owner of OpTic Gaming. The keywords in that sentence, and out of this entire article/debate, is “on paper.” On paper, OpTic Nation is arguably the best team in the world, better than even the goliath that is OpTic Gaming. On paper, OpTic Nation has the talent at every position that rivals even that of the old compLexity dynasty of Aches, Teepee, Karma and Crimsix who reigned from Black Ops 2 through Ghosts. On paper, OpTic Nation, on LAN, at the very least, should not be placing outside of Top 2. Now, before we get any further, we must put everything into context, at least from what happened at the last event, UMG Orlando. At the most recent event OpTic Nation, with a fresh roster pickup in Swanny, a player who transferred over from Europe in exchange for MBoZe, placed a measly Top 12 (9th-12th). Nation, with only a few days of preparation with their new fourth, proved to the world that they have, arguably, the most slaying power out of any team, ranking 2nd in K/D, 3rd in K/R and 6th in Out Slaying percentage. Now, before you jump to any conclusions, let me say that yes, OpTic Gaming was the better team at Orlando, seeing as they won the entire event, and posted slightly high statistics than Nation, however, allow me to bring to light something that others have not. When matched up, statistically, and skillfully, Gaming and Nation are on an equal playing, and you can even give an edge to Nation (statistically). Don’t believe me? Check the matchup board below: NOTE:
Nadeshot: vs. Teepee: K/D: 0.96 (56th) K/D: 1.00 (41st) AI: 40.30 (62nd) AI: 39.23 (72nd) K/R: 25.26 (65th) K/R: 27.55 (44th) OS %: 18.52% (64th) OS %: 19.35% (61st) Advantage: Teepee Crimsix: vs. Swanny: K/D: 1.09 (15th) K/D: 1.26 (2nd) AI: 43.33 (25th) AI: 38.90 (74th) K/R: 29.58 (18th) K/R: 29.90 (16th) OS %: 29.63% (25th) OS %: 45.61% (3rd) Advantage: Swanny Scump: vs. Proofy: K/D: 1.21 (10th) K/D: 0.98 (47th) AI: 44.70 (10th) AI: 39.55 (71st) K/R: 31.16 (7th) K/R: 27.85 (40th) OS %: 44.44% (4th) OS %: 22.58% (48th) Advantage: Scump Formal: vs. Karma: K/D: 1.11 (11th) K/D: 1.13 (7th) AI: 44.30 (12th) AI: 41.71 (43rd) K/R: 30.84 (9th) K/R: 31.25 (6th) OS %: 25.93% (37th) OS %: 29.03% (26th) Advantage: Karma OpTic Gaming: vs. OpTic Nation: K/D: 1.09 (1st) K/D: 1.08 (2nd) K/R: 29.21 (2nd) K/R: 29.14 (3rd) OS %: 59.26% (3rd) OS%: 54.84% (6th) Advantage: OpTic Gaming So, did anyone else find the same mind boggling issue? OpTic Nation, when individually matched up at their respective positions, holds a 3 to 1 edge, yet, when you look at the collective team statistics, Gaming elevates to the top, in every category. If you are like me, then you asked the same question, how can that possibly be? The simple answer is the placement of each team’s X factors. Gaming’s X Factor comes in their Objective player, Nadeshot, whereas Nation’s X Factor comes in one of their supporting slayers. There are both pros and cons to these respective strategies: if and when Nadeshot provides any form of slaying power, it is a very nice boost, however, I think I am not alone when I say this, when Proofy plays to the level that we as a community have grown accustom to from past Call of Duties, he is arguably a Top 10, even Top 5 player in the world. The issue is his consistency, and lack of role adjustment. Advanced Warfare’s extremely up-beat tempo has not boded well for the old supportive-slayers who thrive in long range gunfights, assault rifles, and utilizing angles and map positioning. That old-slayer mold is what Proofy used to be, and he has yet to effectively transition himself into Advanced Warfare. You couple that with the current team composition that Nation has, Teepee the objective player, Karma the objective slayer, and now Swanny who has begun to thrive in a supportive slayer type role, and Proofy seems to be a shell of what he once was. The crazy part about that is the fact that his current level of play, when you average out the good and the bad, is still an upper echelon player. Once Proofy fully adjusts to the current roster’s play-style, strategies and composition, I have no doubt in my mind that we will see a return of the Robo Proof of old. And when we do, you will see a knew hierarchal order in the OpTic House. Let's not forget that this is all on paper, so it excludes any possible team chemistry issues that may arise, or have already arisen. Team chemistry, and this point in time in probably Nation's biggest enemy. Perhaps Nation will finally play to their full potential at the next event, which just so happens to be the biggest one of the year in the Call of Duty World Championships. I for one hope they do, maybe that will shake things up for OpTic fans’ allegiances. Either way, let me know what you guys think, mention me on Twitter, @SaVi_JayD, or leave a comment below, and have a wonderful day!
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May 2015
By: Jake PayneContent Writer Categories |