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Activision’s Call of Duty League is finally here and things start with the CDL Kickoff Classic – a pre-season event where x-factor players from all 12 teams can start making their mark.
With an exodus of 12 starters as the CDL moves to 4v4 in Black Ops Cold War, individual play is paramount. Players have less backup on the battlefield and, with a talent pool deep in the Challengers scene, more competition for their roles.
Representing Chicago, OpTic Gaming is back with Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez, Seth ‘Scump’ Abner and the gang. Delighting fans, Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag’s 100 Thieves return to competitive CoD for Los Angeles. The teams have mixed since the inaugural season and each team’s expectations will be tested by at least one player Kick-off of the CDL performance.
Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Atlanta FaZe)
The best AR in CoD?
Has CoD’s most stacked list added the best AR in the league?
While Michael ‘MajorManiak’ Szymaniak was highly regarded by his teammates last season, few place him in a row near Arcitys. FaZe’s flexible submachine gun and play was never an issue, but adding Arcitys to the assault rifle could push them past the Dallas Empire in the power leaderboard.
If Arcitys continues, let alone improves, its 2020 form, then Atlanta should be one of the early favorites. Tested by a strong team at Florida Mutineers, fans should get some quality temperature control on FaZe’s newest member.
Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter (Dallas Empire)
Did Dallas bring out the right veteran AR?
At 28, Crimsix must continue to refute his skeptics.
The transition from 5v5 to 4v4 was not without pain and few divisions were as difficult as those of the Empire. Dropping James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks instead of Crimsix was a tough decision and, at the CDL Kickoff Classic, that decision will receive its first review.
When the two veteran ARs face off, Crim will be with the same absurd young trio of shooters “Xeo” and Clayster with… one outstanding sophomore and two previously screened bench players. It shouldn’t be too difficult a test for Dallas, but fans should be curious to see how Crim’s thumbs have aged.
Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda (Los Angeles Thieves)
Big Brand meets Big Ego
Temp speaks, but has to work for CDL’s next big mark.
Being 5th at CDL Champs wasn’t enough to keep OpTic in Los Angeles, so Nadeshot was able to get into the league. While appeals from the team’s Challengers, Zack ‘Drazah’ Jordan and Darien ‘Hollow’ Chervchko, performed admirably in the playoffs – 100T replaced them in the starting lineup with one of the most confident ARs in the league. league.
The self-proclaimed top “gunnie” in the CDL, Temp has a relentless belief in his ability (or a “ strong personality, ” by general manager Eric ‘Muddawg’ Sanders) backed by a solid history of top-level, albeit irregular, play. While his year with the New York Subliners has been a disappointing one, Temp now joins former teammates Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat and Thomas “TJHaLy” Haly. With 100T’s huge fanbase and a showdown with OpTic Chicago, the shooter gets a big stage to prove that his game can meet both the occasion and his own expectations.
Preston ‘Priestahh’ Greiner (Minnesota ROKKR)
The tiny honorary terror?
From teaming up with the Tiny Terrors to a much bigger role, Priestahh can make a statement in 2021.
FaZe was the second-best team in 2020 and Priestahh would likely still be on the squad without the move to 4v4. Instead, one of the league’s most selfless players can turn a new leaf with a completely overhauled ROKKR squad.
Starting with Minnesota’s preseason game against the Toronto Ultra, Priestahh should move from flex to his more natural sub-role. Expectations for what were a miserable ROKKR team will depend on his ability to prove he was eclipsed in Atlanta and can go from dirty work to kill.
Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New York underskills)
No ZooMaa, No Hydra: The Return of the Mack
MVP 2020 candidate, Mack must take another step forward for NY to compete.
Easily one of the top rookies in 2020, Mack jumped into the New York starting lineup and almost immediately jumped into the MVP conversation. The Subliners have enjoyed a quality offseason after missing the playoffs, but new issues mean Mack will have to go above and beyond to start 2021.
With rookie Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez who takes care of visa issues and Tommy ‘ZooMaa’ Paparatto retire due to injury, Mack moves to SMG for an unfinished list. He’s back in his favorite role, but the season hinges on his ability to reach near-MVP form of 2020.
Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Chicago)
Listening to the Chicago Bat-Signal
Back with his guys, Chicago’s hopes hinge on Dashy’s return to form.
Like Atlanta, Chicago shuffled coins after falling just before the Championship in 2020. With Arcitys eager to join former teammates on FaZe, H3CZ celebrated OpTic’s return with the return of one of the former players of the brand.
But 2020 has been a lousy year for Dashy, and aside from a few big moments as a suddenly summoned bench player in CDL Champs, questions surround the former elite AR. Expectations are high for CoD’s biggest brand, but they will rise and fall depending on how Dashy plays.
Peirce ‘Gunless’ Hillman (Seattle Surge)
Started from the bottom, now we peirce
In just a few short years, Gunless went from star to starter to starter with a chip on his shoulder.
Like Dashy, no one questions the raw mechanical talent that Gunless holds. Sadly, much like Dashy, the gifted player has spent most of a porous 2020 on the bench with rumors of his character’s concerns.
Now he joins two others in reinforcement for Sam ‘Octane’ Larew in the worst team of 2020: Seattle. If the Surge will improve on a 5-18 record that ended last at CDL Champs, Gunless will need a return to form from Day 1 against the Los Angeles Guerrillas.
While the Call of Duty League is filled with players with high expectations, low expectations and everything in between, these seven stand out as those with the most notable actions of the preseason. A variety of other rookies and transfer players can make statements during the Kickoff Classic, but power rankings and fan expectations should be based entirely on our x factors listed.
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