Shift 16: Minor regions at an all-time high
The Shift 16 returns ahead of the final Regionals of the Fall Split, and minor-region teams have made a serious impression on the rankings. For the first time, two teams from the same minor region are ranked, as MENA’s Team Falcons and RuleOne appear on the list. South American champions The Club moved up three spots on the list, and the Oceanian Pioneers are back on the list after one ranking out.
The rankings are created by our Shift staff, who each submitted their own ranking of their top 16 teams in the world, regardless of region. Those rankings were combined to create the cumulative list.
North American teams dominate the list, with seven of the sixteen teams hailing from the region. Europe placed five teams on the list, and the remaining spots are filled out by the minor region teams. We’ll be taking a look at one positive and one negative for each team as they prepare to battle it out for the remaining Fall Major spots.
1 - Karmine Corp - Europe (+2)
Plus: Karmine Corp have been Europe’s most dominant team, winning the Fall Cup and becoming the first team from the region to qualify for Rotterdam.
Minus: Nothing. Karmine Corp are firing on all cylinders, as they both scored goals and prevented them at a top-four rate in Europe.
2 - FaZe Clan - North America (-1)
Plus: FaZe Clan’s star player Jason "Firstkiller" Corral has been an absolute machine to start the season, as he’s among the North American leaders in Octane Rating, goals per game, and shooting percentage.
Minus: After dominating the first Regional, FaZe Clan took a small step back in the Fall Cup, finishing 5th-8th. They only need to pick up two wins in the Swiss Stage of the Fall Invitational to do it, but they haven’t clinched a spot in Rotterdam yet.
3 - Gen.G Mobil1 Racing - North America (+4)
Plus: Gen.G Mobil1 Racing have yet to win a Regional this season, but they’ve still arguably been the most impressive team. With very little time to practice as a team coming into the season, they’ve been able to make two Grand Finals consecutively, and they are the only North American team to have clinched a spot in the Fall Major.
Minus: Gen.G Mobil1 Racing haven’t found their finish yet, as they’ve come up just short in each of the first two Regionals. It would be an incredible boost for the team to get a win heading into the Fall Major.
4 - Version1 - North America (+7)
Plus: Version1 just became the second North American champions this season, as they took home the Fall Cup. Last season, North American teams that won a Regional reached that Split’s Major 100% of the time.
Minus: Version1’s offense has struggled to generate shots this season, as they’ve been in the bottom 50% of shots per game in both North American Regionals so far. Their defensive, counter-attacking playstyle has worked so far in North America, but whether they will find international success with it, remains to be seen.
The current North American points leaders - Image courtesy of Psyonix
5 - G2 Esports - North America (EVEN)
Plus: G2 Esports are among the most experienced, talented teams in the world, and they have yet to miss out on a Major in the Circuit Era of RLCS. They’ve also already reached a semifinal this season, a result which would likely see them clinch Major qualification.
Minus: G2 Esports have started out slow this season, highlighted by a 9th-11th finish in the Fall Cup. They’re currently tied-fifth in the North American standings, and haven’t found their form from last season.
6 - Team BDS - Europe (-2)
Plus: Team BDS are the reigning World Champions, and are tied for fifth in the European standings after making two consecutive Playoff brackets. They’re still easily in reach of the Major, and are looking to have a chance to defend their Fall Major crown.
Minus: Team BDS have been frustrated in their slow start, and haven’t looked exactly like themselves. Is there a World Championship hangover affecting the team?
7 - Quadrant - Europe (NEW)
Plus: Quadrant jump into the rankings after reaching the Grand Finals of the Fall Cup, which came on the back of a strong semifinals run in the Fall Open. They only need two wins in the Swiss Stage next time out to lock up their spot in Rotterdam.
Minus: Quadrant started slow this season, as they only finished with a 3-2 record in the Swiss Stage of the Fall Open. Since then, however, they’ve won six of eight series, the best mark in Europe, and have only lost to the two Regional champions.
8 - Spacestation Gaming - North America (-2)
Plus: Spacestation Gaming have reached the semifinals in both events so far this season, and would clinch a Fall major berth if they can pick up a 3rd-4th finish or better for the third consecutive Regional. Their young superstar, Daniel "Daniel" Piecenski, has looked like one of the world’s very best players.
Minus: Spacestation Gaming have yet to truly compete in the semifinals, as they’ve lost to Gen.G Mobil1 Racing in each of the two events by a 4-1 scoreline. If they can’t figure out how to make it to a Grand Finals, they may be in danger of missing out on the Major.
The current European points leaders - Image courtesy of Psyonix
9 - Oxygen Esports - Europe (-7)
Plus: Thanks to their Fall Open win, Oxygen Esports are in strong position to clinch a spot in Rotterdam, and could do so without help if they reach the Playoffs of the Fall Invitational. Last season in Europe, 100% of teams to win a Regional reached the Fall Major.
Minus: Oxygen Esports went tumbling down the rankings after missing the Playoffs of the Fall Cup, as they lost out to Tundra Esports in the fifth round of the Swiss Stage. They’ll need to bounce back and make it out of the Swiss Stage in the Fall Invitational, or be in danger of missing out on the Major.
10 - Moist Esports - Europe (-2)
Plus: Moist Esports have reached the semifinals of each of the first two events before losing to Karmine Corp. They need to reach the semifinals of the Fall Invitational to guarantee their spot in Rotterdam, but a lesser result could suffice if other results go their way.
Minus: Moist Esports haven’t found a way to beat Karmine Corp in the Playoffs yet this season, and they could need to go through Karmine Corp to make a deep run at the Fall Invitational (or the Major).
11 - Team Falcons - Middle East & North Africa (NEW)
Plus: Team Falcons return to the list after a Regional-long hiatus, as they picked up their first Regional win of the season. Their streak of consecutive Regional wins may have ended in the Fall Open, but they’re still in prime position to qualify for their fourth consecutive Major.
Minus: Team Falcons have shown that they’re vulnerable this season, and the rest of the MENA teams have begun to improve. Team Falcons will need to find the form that helped them to sweep the Regionals and make it to the Spring Major Grand Finals if they want to dominate the region again this season.
12 - The Club - South America (+3)
Plus: The Club have jumped up three spots after the second-ever perfect Regional, as they finished 21-0 to win their second consecutive Regional. They’ve also become the first team from a minor region to clinch a spot in Rotterdam this season.
Minus: The Club are playing perfect Rocket League at the moment, and they’ve looked unstoppable this season. But will that continue in an international environment, where there’s more pressure than ever before? They looked strong at last season’s World Championship, where they finished 9th-12th.
The Club have secured their spot in Rotterdam - Picture courtesy of Psyonix
13 - FURIA - North America (-4)
Plus: FURIA looked to have regained their old form in the Fall Cup, as they dominated the Swiss Stage by going 3-0 before losing to eventual champions Version1 in the quarterfinals. If they can continue improving in the manner they did from the Fall Open to the Fall Cup, they should clinch a Major spot in Rotterdam.
Minus: FURIA haven't been able to reach the heights they did last season, as they’ve gone out in the quarterfinals of each of the first two events. They’re certainly still in contention to make the Fall Major, but they’ll have to continue improving.
14 - RuleOne - Middle East & North Africa (-4)
Plus: MENA’s Fall Open champions, RuleOne (formerly KRN), are still in position to clinch the region’s only Major spot. They need to win the Fall Invitational to do it, and a lesser result could be good enough if Team Falcons slip up.
Minus: RuleOne didn’t dominate to nearly the same extent in the Fall Cup, as they went Regional victory to a semifinals finish. They’ll need to regain their Fall Open form to ensure they can reach the Major.
15 - OpTic Gaming - North America (-4)
Plus: OpTic Gaming have had a slower start than they would’ve liked, but are still in a good position to qualify for Rotterdam. Both Slater "Retals" Thomas and Austin "AYYJAYY" Aebi have experience in LAN events and what it takes to get there.
Minus: OpTic Gaming have lost in the quarterfinals of both Regionals so far this season, and have struggled to find a way to beat North America’s top teams. They’ll need to break through, and will rely on their experience to do so.
16 - Pioneers - Oceania (NEW)
Plus: The Pioneers re-enter the list despite failing to win the Fall Cup, as they are a semifinals berth away from clinching a spot in their third consecutive Major. They are one of the most talented teams Oceania has ever fielded, and could contend if they reach Rotterdam.
Minus: The Pioneers lost a Grand Finals matchup with PWR that could’ve seen them lock in their Fall Major spot. Now, they’ll be under pressure to perform in the final Regional, as Oceania only has two Major spots.
Dropping out: Team Liquid, GamersFirst, Shopify Rebellion
Also receiving votes: Team Vitality, Complexity Gaming, Team Liquid, Team Secret, Tundra Esports
Do you agree with the rankings? Let us know on Twitter @ShiftRLE, and make sure to keep up with Shift for all of your Rocket League news!
