Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends, we are less than a few days from the MW3 CDL season. Last year we saw the NY Subliners win 3 majors including the CDL world championship. Last year’s season was one of the best yet for spectators. With a new and improved call of duty, we are in for the best year of the CDL yet. Now that we are in the aftermath of rostermania we can rank these teams. We all know the season can’t officially start without the People’s Champ dropping his power rankings.
1. Atlanta FaZe (Cellium, aBeZy, Drazah, Simp)
Since the start of the CDL, the trio of Cellium, aBeZy, and Simp find themselves as championship contenders every year. It’s not crazy to say Drazah is the best player they’ve teamed with so far. Last year FaZe contended for a championship each major with Slasher on the team. No disrespect to Slasher, who is a decorated veteran in competitive COD, but Drazah is one of the best ARs at the moment. This is now the most complete team in the CDL and I believe they’ll win worlds this year.
2. New York Subliners (HyDra, Sib, KiSMET, Skyz)
NY had an amazing season last year. The defending world champs are looking to repeat this season. They certainly have the roster to do. While I don’t agree with them dropping Priestahh, Sib is an excellent replacement. It’ll be interesting to see how Sib fits in, but I have no doubt they’ll win a major this year.
3. Toronto Ultra (Scrap, Insight, Cleanx, Envoy)
Toronto Ultra are coming off a heart-breaking 0-5 defeat during the Grand Finals of CDL Champs. They got slammed by NY. This, year they are on a revenge tour. Hicksy was replaced by world champion Envoy, making this powerhouse of a team even stronger. Envoy’s championship experience may be the final piece Toronto Ultra needed. With rookie of the year Scrap playing with a chip on his shoulder, this team will contend every tournament.
4. OpTic Texas (Shotzzy, Dashy, Pred, Kenny)
OpTic is coming off a very disappointing season. They had a world championship caliber roster and looked great in their online matches. Unfortunately they couldn’t get it done on LAN. To switch things up OpTic decided to release Huke & Ghosty. Their replacements are world champion Kenny & superstar Pred. This is definitely an upgrade. I still need to see these guys play together before I call them world championship contenders, but they have the roster to do great things.
5. Seattle Surge (iLLeY, Arcitys, Huke, Abuzah)
Seattle had a disappointing season last year and decided to rebuild their roster. I really like the pieces they brought in for the MW3 season. Arcitys is still a top tier AR player, he got scapegoated off FaZe after the Vanguard season. This will be a redemption year for him. iLLey was dealing with injuries the past 2 seasons but should be back to full health now. iLLey is going to put himself back on the map this season. When Huke is on fire he is one of the best players on the league. If he can be consistent, this team will be hard to stop. Abuzah was one of the top, if not the top, prospect from challengers. He’s my candidate for Rookie of the year. It’ll be interesting to see how these guys compete.
6. Los Angeles Thieves (Ghosty, JoeDeceives, Afro, Cammy)
LA Thieves decided to squad wipe and start fresh. One could say that this roster is a downgrade from last year’s. However, I think this squad is going to surprise many. Ghosty had an amazing rookie year and played like a vet as soon as he entered the league. I expect him to take a leap this year with the experience he gained on OpTic. JoeDeceives was the best player on LAG last year. I expect him to have a great season with a better team around him. Afro and Cammy are great players who cannot be underestimated. Overall, I like this squad.
7. Boston Breach (Capsidal, SlasheR, Priestahh, Snoopy)
Boston made many switches last year, but nothing worked for them. Hopefully they let this squad stay together and build chemistry. Cap is one of the most underrated SMG players in the CDL. He was overlooked last year due to being on the mutineers, but he had great numbers. Priestahh is coming off a world championship season. It’s really a shame the Subliners released him after the season he had. He’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year. SlasheR is still a great AR player who can get the job done and win majors. Snoopy is a young prospect with veterans around him this year. His ceiling is high at the moment. Excited to see what he can do with a full season in the CDL. I don’t see this team winning Champs, but I could see them making some deep tournament runs.
8. Miami Heretics (Vikul, MettalZ, Lucky, Jurnii)
This is the the team I’m most interested in this year. They play at the highest tempo in the league. The Spaniards are looking to disrupt the CDL. Vikul has been great anytime he gets a chance to play in the CDL. I honestly think if Florida started him the whole year they qualify for champs. The young gunner keeps on improving at a fast rate. MettalZ had a season with Toronto Ultra during MW2019. Since then he’s gone back to challengers and improved immensely. With a great challengers season last year, he’s ready to take on the CDL again. Jurnii plays at a fast pace that’ll be hard to keep up with. Under Vikul’s leadership this team is going to cause a lot of upsets. Note: Miami Heretics have not announced their starting four at the time this was written.
9. Minnesota Rokkr (Accuracy, Owakening, Vivid, Lynz)
Accuracy is a great player who’s looking for a bounce back season. Lynz had short but great stint in challengers. Vivid and Owakening are looking to improve from the season they had last year. This team needs to improve from what we saw last year to be competitive this season. I don’t see them contending for championships this year, but I’d love for them to prove me wrong.
10. Carolina Royal Ravens (Clayster, GodRX, Gwinn, ReeaL)
Royal Ravens relocated to the US this year with a new roster. Their past few seasons have been nothing short of a disaster. I’d usually rank them last, but the addition of Clayster can’t be overlooked. The 3-time world champ is looking to turn around this franchise this year. ReeaL is a promising prospect and young talent. However, the CDL is a different monster, we’ll see how the rookie performs. GodRx is coming off a Challengers championship. He’s looking to carry that momentum into his 2nd chance at the CDL. Gwinn is also is coming off a championship in challengers. There is a chance this is Clayster’s last dance. I’m hoping he can win another Major to add to his legendary career.
11. Las Vegas Legion (Attach, Nero, Standy, Purj)
Las Vegas has had a rough few seasons. Hopefully this roster can find some success. Standy is one of the better SMG players in the CDL. Attach is a World Champion with a lot left in the tank. Purj is coming off a a great Challengers season where he won champs. A promising prospect will get his first swing at the CDL this year. With Attach’s veteran leadership he’ll learn a lot quickly. Nero will need to evolve this year for them to compete.
12. Los Angeles Guerrillas (Assault, Diamondcon, Estreal, Fame)
Last year was a disaster for the Guerillas. This year LAG had a rumored rostered with Asim, but that fell through. Most folks are counting this squad out already, but there is some upside. Despite the season LA had last year, Assault put up some solid numbers. Estreal looked great last year in challengers. Fame has CDL experience and can turn it up a times.
