Shift 16: Worlds Edition
The biggest RLCS event in history is fast approaching, with the action set to begin within the next week. With that in mind, the Shift staff has created another Shift 16, this time ranking every team competing in Dallas. Each member named a top sixteen, regardless of Main Event or Wildcard status, and those were combined to create the ranking.
North America leads the way, as all six teams from the region are ranked. Europe is right behind with five teams, and MENA and South America both have two representatives in the list. Oceania has one team ranked, while Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific both had no teams in the list despite sending two each to Dallas.
1 - Moist Esports
Europe - Main Event
Moist Esports are the best and most consistent team in the world since the calendar turned to 2022. They’ve finished in the top four of all eight events (six regionals and two Majors), which includes reaching the grand finals in seven of the eight. They came incredibly close to a long lower bracket run in the Winter Major, but fell short against G2 Esports. In the Spring Major, however, Moist Esports would not be stopped. They fell to the lower bracket early, but dominated everybody on their way to becoming champions. They have more momentum, more recent results, and possibly more skill than any other team in the world. They’re reigning international champions for a reason, and enter the World Championship as one of the favorites.
2 - Team Falcons
MENA - Main Event
At the Spring Major, Team Falcons became the first team outside of North America or Europe to ever reach the grand finals of an international RLCS event. They’re also the only team to ever sweep all nine regionals in a season. The Spring Major was their first international event together in the RLCS, as the team could not all participate in the Fall Major or the Winter Major due to outside circumstances. With more experience together, and the incredible success the trio has already had, Team Falcons are also one of the best teams headed to Dallas.
3 - G2 Esports
North America - Main Event
G2 Esports were the dominant force in the North American RLCS throughout the season, especially after adding Massimo “Atomic” Franceschi to the roster before the Winter Split. From that point on, G2 Esports won three out of six regionals, as well as the Winter Major, the only team from North America to win a Major this season. They suffered two reverse sweeps in the Spring Major to fall out, but have a proven track record this season and will certainly be one of the favorites to win it all.
4 - Version1
North America - Wildcard
The highest ranked team from the Wildcard, Version1 enter the World Championship after finishing third in the Spring Major. Despite winning only one regional all season, Version1 does have two top-six Major finishes, and have consistently been one of North America’s top teams since signing Landon “Beastmode” Konerman. If Version1 can make it out of the Wildcard, they can take the momentum from that and the Spring Major and potentially go all the way.
Version1’s Robert “Comm” Kyser celebrating a win (photo: Martin Faltus / @imfalty)
5 - FURIA
South America - Main Event
The only minor region team to play in all three Majors (Team Falcons qualified for but did not participate in all three), FURIA have been among the top teams all season. Their consecutive top six finishes in the last two Majors are the two best finishes by a South American team in an RLCS LAN ever, and they have the potential to build upon that with more experience. They also won the Gamers8 event in Saudi Arabia, which was the most recent international event. The tournament did include 1v1 and 2v2, but FURIA was still a great team at 3v3 and the result should give them confidence going into Dallas.
6 - Team BDS
Europe - Main Event
Team BDS were the Fall Major champions, and the top seed in Europe for most of the season until Moist Esports won the Spring Major. They won three of the nine events in Europe throughout the year, including two in the Spring Split with new addition Enzo “Seikoo” Grondein. However, Team BDS is on the unfortunate streak of losing nine consecutive games in international competition, including going 0-6 in the Spring Major with their current roster. If they can’t figure out the issues and return to their earlier form, Team BDS will be in danger of a surprise early exit from the World Championship.
7 - FaZe Clan
North America - Main Event
FaZe Clan won the opening event of the season and looked like top contenders, but failed to reach another grand finals until the final event of the season. They were top four in nearly every event, though, and were always contending for titles. They struggled to a top twelve finish in the Spring Major, far below their expectations, but should be able to bounce back and compete for the World Championship title. They earned a direct bye to the Main Event, despite their long stretch without a win, which should provide a boost for the team.
8 - Karmine Corp
Europe - Wildcard
Karmine Corp were picked by many to be a top contender entering the season, but they struggled to find their footing through the Fall and Winter Splits. As a result, the team picked up Joseph “noly” Kidd before the Spring Split began, which turned out to be the perfect move for the team. Behind noly, a resurgent Karmine Corp qualified for the Spring Major, where they made a run to a top four finish. If the roster can keep improving with more time together, a title is the limit for Karmine Corp.
9 - Spacestation Gaming
North America - Wildcard
The best team in North America without an event win, Spacestation Gaming have been pushing the top teams all season long without breaking through. The acquisition of young prodigy Daniel “Daniel” Piecenski before the Winter Split supercharged the roster, which has made both Majors since and finished third and sixth in the Winter and Spring. Both times, they fell just short in a heartbreaking game seven against Moist Esports, once via brilliant goal line save and once via kickoff goal. If Spacestation Gaming can exorcise their wet demons, they can go all the way and win the biggest World Championship in history.
Spacestation Gaming’s Daniel during a match (photo: Martin Faltus / @imfalty)
10 - The General NRG
North America - Main Event
The General NRG are the only team to qualify for the Main Event without participating in the Spring Major. They were that good throughout the first two Splits, highlighted by a second place finish in the Fall Major. At the Winter Major, however, something changed within the team. They fell out in a top twelve spot, their worst finish of the season. They then struggled through the Spring Split, failing to even qualify for the Major. The General NRG proved throughout the first two splits that they can be among the world’s very best, but they’ll need to find that form again quickly if they want to win it all.
11 - OpTic Gaming
North America - Wildcard
The surprise team that supplanted The General NRG in the Spring Split, OpTic Gaming enter the World Championship on a high note after finishing in the top eight of the Spring Major. They have changed their roster twice this season, but finally settled on a starting three of Andres “dreaz” Jordan, Braxton “Allushin” Lagarec, and Nick “mist” Costello, with Pierre “Turbopulsa" Silver in the substitute role. The starting trio proved themselves at the Spring Major, and could go even further with more experience. There’s just one thing hovering over the team: if they struggle, does the four-time come off the bench?
Optic Gaming competing against FURIA (photo: Martin Faltus / @imfalty)
12 - Pioneers
Oceania - Wildcard
The only Oceanic team on our list, Pioneers have proven that they belong in two consecutive Majors. In the Winter Major, they nearly reverse swept Team BDS, but were undone in game five by their lack of experience. In the Spring Major, however, they stepped up and swept Team BDS. As the young trio continues to improve, they could make some serious noise, potentially even emerging from the Wildcard and qualifying for the playoffs.
13 - Dignitas
Europe - Wildcard
Dignitas had an excellent start to the season, winning the second event and taking Europe’s #2 seed into the Fall Major. They finished a respectable top eight, and had a successful Winter Split, once again taking the #2 seed. At the Winter Major, however, they were reverse swept twice, going home early. They never recovered in the Spring Split, failing to qualify for the Major. If Dignitas can regain their form from before the Winter Major, they’ll be a top contender in Dallas. If not, they may be in for another early exit.
14 - Endpoint CeX
Europe - Main Event
Endpoint CeX are one of two European teams to qualify for all three Majors, a feat not even Moist Esports achieved. They did make a roster move before the Spring Split, swapping out star player Seikoo for another superstar in Archie “archie” Pickthall. It hasn’t been the easiest ride with archie, as the team qualified for the Spring Major but failed to win a single game at the event. If they can find their footing as a new roster, Endpoint CeX could contend behind his play, but there is a chance they continue to struggle and fail to make it out of the group stage.
15 - 01 Esports
MENA - Wildcard
01 Esports is the only team on our list with no RLCS LAN experience, but that doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. Team Falcons has put the MENA region on the map, but the depth of the region with 01 Esports and Veloce is also strong. 01 Esports had a strong run throughout the season, finishing third in the MENA region, and demonstrated their strength by dominating the Gamers8 event in the 3v3 mode. They won seven straight 3v3 matches at one point, including going 3-0 against both Renegades and Dignitas. If they can play like that in Dallas, they can at least make it out of the Wildcard.
16 - Team Secret
SAM - Wildcard
The second best team from South America, at least by RLCS points, is Team Secret. The roster missed out on the Fall Major by a single point, but then qualified for the Winter and Spring Majors. Though they only won a single series in the two Majors combined, it was a sweep against Team BDS, which offers hope for the future. If the team can play like that again, and build on their prior experience, they have a great chance to make some serious noise in the tournament.
Also receiving votes: Renegades (OCE), The Club (SAM), Veloce (MENA)
Did you agree with our rankings? Let us know on Twitter @ShiftRLE or down below in the comments. The RLCS 2021-22 season will conclude as a World Champion is crowned in August, but make sure keep up with Shift for all your Rocket League news until then and during what will surely be a busy offseason!
