In the eyes of Rainbow Six esports fans, PENTA Sports’ reign over the entire scene is obvious and undisputed. The European team won every single game in their Pro League Season 3 run, and, all things considered, they are looking almost unstoppable heading into the conclusion of the year’s final split. A third consecutive title (and thus the first Pro League grand slam) is well within their capacity—and so is winning the upcoming $500,000 Six Invitational in February.
In the interview from ESIX from earlier this month, PENTA’s team captain Fabian “Fabian” Hallsten cited versatility and flexibility when it comes to his team’s strengths. According to him, every player on their lineup is able to switch freely from aggressive roles to playing support, which allows them to throw opponents for a loop by mixing it up as necessary. Adjusting their strategy and gameplay according to their adversaries is the name of their game, and it sets them apart as the favorites.
Spectacular 1vs3 clutch by @Gogaqt, who secures a second point for @PENTA_Sports on Bank. @R6PL pic.twitter.com/P6ZimdLSLx
— ESL Rainbow Six (@ESLRainbowSix) 2 novembre 2017
There are, however, three teams in the field that we feel could be up to the task of stopping these juggernauts—namely Brazil’s own Team FonTT and Black Dragons e-Sports, and North America’s Evil Geniuses.
Team Fontt
The first of the two Brazilian teams, Fontt came decently close to winning the Latin American leg of the current Pro League season. After topping their group in the preliminary stage, they secured a spot in the LATAM finals by taking out BRK e-Sports in three games.
In the finals, they took a slight lead on Consulate in the first game of the LATAM finals, but lost the next two maps (Clubhouse and Kafe Dostoyevsky) two rounds to five each. Being the only team to take one map out of Black Dragons for the whole season says a lot about their skill and talent as a unit.
However, in order to succeed at the Season 3 finals they will need to rely on that experience, plus two other factors: the local crowd at São Paulo, and their fraggers Guilherme “gohaN” Alf and Leonardo “Astro” Luis. Expect the Brazilian audience to root for Fontt right from the start, which could become a difference maker—especially when they go up against foreign teams.
That's it, @blackdragonsBR are the winners of LATAM #R6PL playoffs! Congratulations and good luck in the upcoming LAN finals. pic.twitter.com/PbHwUAH5ES
— ESL Rainbow Six (@ESLRainbowSix) 1 novembre 2017
As for gohaN and Astro, be sure to look out for their trademark fast, high-risk playstyle. These two always entertain the crowd with the breakneck pace to their game, and you can bet that with every kill the hometown fans will get even more excited. Their opponents should be wary and avoid underestimating them (and the moral support they’ve got behind them)—or they could very well pay the price for their arrogance.
Black Dragons
As the kings of their region, Black Dragons e-Sports will be the standard bearers of the Brazilian contingent this weekend. Undefeated in the group stage of the LATAM online segment, these guys will be no doubt leading the charge for their country with tremendous confidence.
Momentum is not going to be an issue for them coming into the Season 3 finals, thanks to the inspiring performance they put on against FonTT in the LATAM finals. Their morale is undoubtedly high at this point, and such spirit will serve them well once the event starts. Of course, this isn’t to say that determination will be the only thing they’ll have going for them—far from it, in fact. Having insanely strong pieces in their lineup like Julio “julio” Giacomelli, João “Kamikaze” Gomes, and Gustavo “Psycho” Rigal certainly helps immensely.
Look towards these three players, who are all within the top five LATAM players in terms of statistics, to carry most of the load for Black Dragons. With K/D ratios of at least 1.57 to their names, their combined fragging prowess will be of utmost importance this weekend.
To say that Black Dragons will be comfortable defending home turf would be an understatement. We said in FonTT’s entry above that they’d have the backing of the crowd at São Paulo—but this factor will mean just as much (if not more) for Black Dragons given their top dog status in the region. With their fellow countrymen firmly on their side, come-from-behind victories are certainly not out of the question.
Evil Geniuses
Famously known as Continuum before their acquisition by one of the biggest esports organizations in America, the Evil Geniuses hail from North America as the region’s champions. They only lost one single map in the regional tournament in the NA semifinals, against Most Wanted.
There is something to be said about their resurgence as of late. After winning the last year’s Season 3 world finals and the Six Invitational two months after, they fell down to relegation status in the first season of the new year. They bounced back in the relegation tournament a month later, but finished the next season in the same spot that they ended at previously.
Season 3 this year for EG was all about getting right back to their former glory. They wasted no time in once again taking firm control of the region, sending their opponents in the playoffs packing without really breaking a sweat. Having a rock-solid and overall complete player in Troy “Canadian” Jaroslawski contributes well to their brand of consistent, stable play—which carried them throughout Season 3.
Day one of the @EvilGeniuses boot camp in the books. Huge thanks to @SteelSeries and @AMDGaming for the setup! pic.twitter.com/ffVexglxdO
— Troy #NotOnADesk (@BroCanadian) 11 novembre 2017
In addition, the fact that they have been recognized by such a decorated and prestigious organization speaks volumes about their return to prominence. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear the players talk about how much of a morale boost it is to be picked up by EG, in fact. This could very well be a factor towards their success this weekend, which will be emphasized further by the fact that they won’t have home court advantage—unlike the two Brazilian teams.
