Now we enter the second stage. If you want a full breakdown of the MSI Format, read out the article here. So now for the Rumble Stage. A six-team group stage will see all sides play each other twice, over the course of the next five days. For now, let’s take a look at the six teams and preview them.
Cloud9
It looked a little rough for a moment, but Cloud9 has made it out of the group stage and now looks to push on in the Rumble stage. Based on their first three showings, it looked like it would be another rough year for Cloud9. Blaber made a number of silly mistakes, and it kept putting Cloud9 on the back foot. However, in the second round of matches, Cloud9 showed up, being the only side in their group to go 3-0 Cloud9 now looks set to have a strong showing in the Rumble phase.
Cloud9 will be a side worth checking out as the odds start to come in, with odds for the Rumble phase starting to show up.
DAMWON Gaming
DAMWON managed to win their group, though a final day defeat to Cloud9 slightly soured it. That said, DAM is still going to be the favourites. It’s nothing to take away from Cloud9 for defeating them, however, DAM was all but qualified first so it likely took some of the shine off the win. We also know that top sides are holding back strategies until later in the event as to not give away anything.
DAM are favourites for every game they play, but Cloud9 exposed a gap in their armour, and it might be something to look out for in the odds.
MAD Lions
MAD Lions had a good showing in groups. While they were expected to win, people probably expected them to slip up more. MAD went 5-1, giving them one of the best records at the event so far. That said, it gets a lot harder from here on out. This is still all very new to MAD Lions, they’re an inexperienced side and every game now is a learning experience. So when it comes to odds for or against MAD, be prepared for some unexpected results. The side is very talented but could be abused by better sides not letting them come back from a mistake.
Pentanet.GG
Pentanet.GG was second-placed in Group A, the group of only three sides. Picking up two victories over against Unicorns of Love, while also dropping two matches against them. It was all decided with a tiebreaker which Pentanet.GG was able to come through. In a group with RNG going 8-0, Pentanet were always going to have a rough time, and going forward into the Rumble stage we sadly expect that to continue. It would be unfair to suggest Pentanet will be an easy target in the Rumble, but I would advise caution when betting on them against bigger sides. Look out for them against PSG and Cloud9 for good opportunities.
THE FIRST OCEANIC TEAM TO MAKE IT OUT OF GROUPS! @PentanetGG are going to the #MSI2021 Rumble Stage!
pic.twitter.com/uaIG2up4HC
— LCO
MSI (@LCO) May 9, 2021
PSG Talon
PSG Talon is a similar case to Pentanet. Beating the weaker sides in their group but getting walked over by the one better than them (MAD Lions). That obviously doesn’t bode well for PSG in the next stage of the event. Again, as we said above with Pentanet, PSG is a side that will need to get upset results, while beating sides around them. Pentanet should be a beatable side, though Cloud9 will be a much tougher task.
Royal Never Give Up
RNG went 8-0 in their group, and it wasn’t really much of an effort. RNG, alongside DAM will be favourites to take the entire event, and when the two sides meet we’ll get a much better idea of who’s likely to come out on top. We’d back DAM at the moment, though we don’t feel we’ve seen the best of RNG yet as they had a much easier group.
Thankfully, day one of Rumble (May 14th) will see DAM v RNG so we’ll get a very good idea of who’s best. Right now, it’s super close on MansionBet, so be sure to check that out ahead of the series getting underway.