Well hello hello! I suppose it's time for Arctic's power rankings and thoughts on the players/teams we're about to see for our second SNC Scuffle. There's no better way to start this off than to say that most of the teams have had some lineup shuffling: Sunset Ravens will be missing their star midlaner, none other than Miss Mayhem herself. Radiant Twilight will be missing their big boi top laner, EJoon, while Sun Guardians' lineup will be all over the place, missing their co-captain and starting support, SNC Cat. (Sor of, but we'll get into that.)
1. Grumpy Bears
Is anyone really surprised these guys are number one? Dropping only one game during the first Scuffle -- to Sun Guardians, in a massive forty minute plus game -- after collecting dragon soul and stomping early and mid game. This team has really got it down, even accounting for minor mistakes here and there. It's hard to say they have a weak lane and there's massive carry potential coming from every position. If these guys are still on form, then the other SNC teams better watch out!
2. Sun Guardians
Now let's talk about the Guardians. Coming into this I wasn't sure where to place these guys. With a solid record of two wins against only one loss last Scuffle -- a GM3 loss to the last place team after beating the two toughest contenders -- which makes power ranking them a bit odd. For two games they looked like the best team in SNC...
For this second Scuffle, Guardians are undergoing a few lineup changes. Their top and bot lane starters have been swapped, and they'll be using a new support, WujuWarrior. This team has the potential to go 3-0 or 0-3, and I don't think it will go any other way. New starting ADC, SNC Hades, has the confidence and ego of a true ADC main. [And if I'm saying you have an ego, you have it!] He carries hard or loses harder, which is no better quality to have in your main carry!
3. Sunset Ravens
Okay, okay, who let me do the power rankings? The Ravens are a team I considered putting last. Missing one of their star players, losing their first two games last week, etc. But for some reason I can see this team performing under pressure. The only team to take down the then undefeated Sun Guardians -- who had the hottest ADC and quickest hands -- last Scuffle, Ravens are still a bit of a mystery.
To my untrained eye, this team's potential comes from its jungle. SNC Big lives up to his name by making big impacts all around the map, and if you facecheck, there's likely a fat Nunu snowball waiting for you. And of all the bot lanes I've previously faced, only one ADC (Xandradraeda) has managed to come out of laning phase with more CS and more KDA than me. Bravo! If Ravens turn on their mics and plays toward their carries, I can see some more upsets happening.
4. Radiant Twilight
Hmmm, this was an odd placement as well. Radiant Twilight can steal the show and it won't even be hard for them. Are they in a slump? Orr are they just unlocking their final form? It'll certainly hurt to not have top laner EJoon for the weekend, but let's talk about what else makes this team so great. "HOLY COW DID YOU SEE THAT BARON STEAL, MR BIG PYKE WILDSTAR?!?" In my opinion, the best support in the server, Mr. Next CoreJJ himself, Wildstar has the potential to 1v9 carry.
Of course he doesn't need to do it solo as he's flanked by Squirrles with her great jungle presence. These two have the best support/jungle synergy out of the four teams -- do not let them get Senna or Zac, or you're in for a world of hurt! With a special performance from Mid Master coming in hot, I can definitely see this team holding their own against any of the other SNC squads. Radiant might have placed last in this version of the power rankings, but I would certainly respect them or have fun enjoying a grey screen!