Shift 16: Preseason 2022-23
As the RLCS returns this week, kicking off with the Fall Open in North America, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & North Africa (MENA), so does the Shift 16! The Shift 16 was 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 final tally.
North America has the most teams in the list, with seven (including South American transfers FURIA), but Europe is right behind with six. South America, Oceania, and MENA all have one team on the list. Below, we’ll break down the teams, including their results last season (if applicable) and any roster moves they made.
1 - Team BDS - Europe
Team BDS are the reigning world champions, and take the top spot in the rankings. They’ve been nearly unstoppable since signing Enzo "Seikoo" Grondein before the Spring Split, winning three of five events, including the World Championship where Seikoo was named MVP. With more time to gel, last season’s best team could be even better this season.
2 - G2 Esports - North America
G2 Esports have also been truly dominant since their most recent signing, Massimo "Atomic" Franceschi. Since signing him before the Winter Split, G2 Esports won three of six Regional Events, the Winter Major, and finished as runners-up at the World Championship. Atomic was also named North American MVP, and Winter Major MVP. G2 Esports have finished second in Rocket League’s biggest event twice now, and will be hungry for an opportunity to finally take home the title.
3 - FaZe Clan - North America
FaZe Clan were a consistent top-four team last season, but struggled to truly break through and win events. They only picked up two Regional Event wins and no Major wins despite their consistent success. Now, they’ve added Nick "mist" Costello to the roster, and have already picked up some hardware by winning rle.gg’s Roster Royale. They have aspirations of a World Championship this year, and mist may be able to take them there.
4 - Karmine Corp - Europe
Karmine Corp struggled to start last season, bombing out of the Fall and Winter Splits early without qualifying for the Majors. They turned it around in the Spring Split, however, playing well enough to earn a spot in the Spring Major, where they finished fourth. Their remarkable turnaround culminated in a top-eight finish at the World Championship, and they’ve arguably improved their roster now. The team has signed French superstars Axel "Vatira" Touret and Brice "Exotiik" Bigeard to compete alongside Amine "Itachi" Benayachi. Vatira was the European MVP last season, as well as the Spring Major Defensive MVP, when he helped Moist Esports to win the Spring Major and claim the #1 overall seed at the World Championship. Exotiik helped SMPR Esports qualify for and finish top-twelve at the World Championship.
5 - Spacestation Gaming - North America
Spacestation Gaming were among the top teams to finish last season without an event win, but they still had a great season. They finished top six at both the Winter and Spring Majors, and only lost to the two Grand Finalists in both events. They also finished top-twelve at the World Championship. In the offseason, they picked up Logan "Lj." Wilt, who should pair well with superstar Daniel "Daniel" Piecenski as Daniel enters his second season of RLCS. Spacestation Gaming already look dominant, having gone a perfect 9-0 in the Fall Open Invitational Qualifier.
T-6 - FURIA - North America
FURIA dominated the South American RLCS last year, and also dominated on the international stage. They won six of the nine Regionals in South America, and finished top-six at the Winter and Spring Majors before finishing top-four at the World Championship. They also won the Gamers8 LAN, the second biggest international event by prizepool in Rocket League history. Now, the talented trio are taking their talents to North America, where they hope to improve against stronger competition and ultimately win a World Championship.
T-6 - Team Liquid - Europe
Team Liquid spent last season planning for the future, signing players who could only compete in the Spring Split. The team performed better than Liquid could have dreamed of, however, qualifying for the Spring Major in their first Split together. They ultimately lost to eventual champions Moist Esports, but it was still a massive success for the team. As the team continues to gain experience and mature together, they could become the most dominant team in Europe, and even the world.
8 - Version1 - North America
Version1 spent much of last season as fringe contenders, but truly emerged in the Winter Split. They won their first event since entering the scene during the Split, and went on to finish top-six at the Winter Major. They improved in finishing third at the Spring Major, and went on to finish top-eight at the World Championship. With Landon "Beastmode" Konerman on the team, Version1 are capable of winning any series and any event on the right day.
9 - Moist Esports - Europe
One of last season’s most dominant teams, Moist Esports have retooled entering this season. They were one of three teams (alongside Team BDS and G2 Esports) to reach the Grand Finals of two international events, and won the Spring Major behind an MVP performance from Joe "Joyo" Young. After the departure of Vatira, Moist Esports have signed Maëllo "Aztral" Ernst to round out the roster. His veteran experience could help Moist Esports to get over the hump, and claim a World Championship.
10 - Team Falcons - Middle East & North Africa
Team Falcons are the highest-ranked team on the list from an emerging region. They won all nine Regional Events last season, the only team to do so since the open era of RLCS began. They also qualified for all three international Majors, and reached the Grand Finals of the Spring Major. They came up short of their expectations at the World Championship, finishing top-twelve, but will be pushing for an international title after proving their regional dominance last season.
11 - OpTic Gaming - North America
OpTic Gaming have completely retooled their roster after last season, and are the highest-ranked team on the list to not have at least two players who played together last season. They’ve signed the trio of Slater "Retals" Thomas, Austin "AYYJAYY" Aebi, and Christian "MajicBear" Acevedo to compete during the upcoming season. The team has already looked very strong together, finishing second in rle.gg’s Roster Royale and qualifying with a 3-1 record for the Fall Open.
12 - Complexity Gaming - North America
Complexity Gaming provided the inspiration for FURIA last offseason, when they became the first entire team to move regions in RLCS history. They qualified for the Fall Major in shocking fashion, upsetting Spacestation Gaming in a tiebreaker, but struggled for the rest of the season and missed out on the World Championship. They’ve now signed Cristian "crr" Fernandez, bringing him over from Europe to compete with the team. They have hopes of qualifying for (and winning) multiple Majors this season, and the new addition could be just what they need.
13 - G1 - Europe
Another all-new roster, G1 have picked up an all-Spanish team to compete this season. They signed Marc "MaRc_By_8." Domingo Ruiz, Sergio "AtomiK" Pérez Cortés, and Ivan "DORITO" Ruiz Jiménez to compete for the upcoming season. All three have experienced success in the RLCS this past season, highlighted by MaRc_By_8’s Fall Major championship. If they can gel, they could be one of the more successful teams this season, and push to join Europe’s elite.
14 - Oxygen Esports - Europe
Europe’s last team on the list is Oxygen Esports, a new trio of Archie “archie” Pickthall, Joris "Joreuz" Robben, and Ole "Oaly" van Doorn. Joreuz and archie both competed in multiple international events last season, and both finished in the top sixteen at the World Championship. Oaly has been one of Europe’s most consistent performers for multiple seasons now, and this team will be pushing Europe’s very best to qualify for Majors and the World Championship. If they can find their chemistry early, this trio could turn into a dominant force in the European RLCS.
15 - The Club - South America
The only South American team on the list, The Club had a solid season last year with a great finish. They finished top-twelve at the World Championship, only losing a tight seven-game series to FURIA, and will be pushing to go further this season. Their star player Danilo "kv1" Michelini has left the team, and they’ve signed Bernardo "Bemmz" Siqueira Marta to round out the roster. If they can build on their international experience, and capitalize on the departure of FURIA, The Club could become the new dominant team in South America.
16 - Pioneers - Oceania
Rounding out the list is the only Oceanian team, the Pioneers. The young trio put in strong performances in the last three international events of the year, including a sweep of Team BDS in the Spring Major. If they can continue to grow from that experience, and win more in Oceania as a result of other top teams changing their rosters, they could become a top contender for the best Oceanian team (and international event result) of all time.
Also receiving votes: Team Vitality, Gen.G, Kash/RelatingWave/Eekso, Team Secret, The General NRG, Shopify Rebellion, Williams Resolve, Evil Geniuses, Soniqs
Do you agree with the rankings? Let us know on Twitter @ShiftRLE, and make sure to keep up with Shift for all of your RLCS news!
