Ladies, Gentlemen, and non-binary friends, It is almost time for the HCS SLC Global Invitational hosted by Spacestation Gaming. It’s been great to be a competitive Halo fan the last few months as this is the 3rd Major we’ve had in the past 2 months. The competition is as even as it’s ever been. With FaZe dethroning OpTic, Spacestation reaching a new level, and Quadrant elevating European Halo to new heights, this is anyone’s tournament. Halo fans have been eating good lately. We all know it isn’t officially tournament week until The People’s Champ drops his Power Rankings. Let’s get to it.
1. FaZe
When this team formed everyone thought they were never going to lose, as did I. Just like Lebron’s first season in Miami, any super team needs to get game time together to gel together. FaZe placed 2nd at HCS Charlotte and has been perfect since then. With 2 Major championships already under their belt this year FaZe is the team to beat. They have a chance to 3-peat this weekend and I would not be surprised if they did. It’s not crazy to say this is the best Halo team ever assembled.
2. Spacestation Gaming
There are 3 things certain in life. Death, Taxes, and Spacestation in Grand Finals. This Squad has only missed Grand finals once in Halo Infinite, you can bet your house on it that they’ll be there again on Sunday. SSG plays with the fastest pace in the league and is very organized while doing so. They rarely make mistakes. With Bound getting better each tournament it’s just a matter of time until SSG hoists that trophy again.
3. OpTic Gaming
Optic Halo started the year out hot but has fallen short of their expectations after their 3-peat. It seems that other teams have finally caught up to them. At the start of the year, they were levels above everyone. This is still the most well-rounded team in the HCS and the best coached. They’ve had a month to iron out the kinks, I expect OpTic to look like the dominant team we are used to seeing this weekend. They’ll need to improve their strongholds to make sure Quadrant does not steal a series from them.
4. Quadrant
This is the best Halo team Europe has ever fielded in the history of competitive Halo. Europe has always been a step below NA Halo. Quadrant isn’t just a good European team, they are one of the best Halo teams in the world. They are a top 4 team and have what it takes to make a Grand Finals appearance. They match up great against Optic and have had the upper hand against OG in the last 2 tournaments. They are the best Strongholds team in HCS, if they’ve improved their other game modes they’ll be unstoppable this weekend.
5. Sentinels
This team only had 1 week of practice together before the Optic Major, so take their performance there with a grain of salt. On paper, they are as good as any of the top 3 teams. Anyone on this team can take over a game and be the main slayer. Lethul is arguably the greatest Halo player of all time, and contrary to popular belief, I think he still has a lot left in the tank. I’m looking for him to make a statement this weekend. Do not be surprised to see SEN on Championship Sunday.
6. Native Red
This squad was finally hitting their final form but has had unfortunate circumstances hit their roster. Druk has had his Visa denied the last 2 tournaments, leaving Native Red without one of their main pieces. It’s a situation that is out of their control. With no solution in sight, they had to find a new 4th. 5 years of chemistry is hard to replicate on such a quick turnaround. They’ve brought in Suppressed to complete their roster, hopefully, they can gel quickly. With Druk, their ceiling was Grand finals. That’s just not the case anymore. We’ll see how they look with Suppressed.
7. Native White
This is a squad with high upset potential that could make a Cinderella run. If any of the top 4 overlook them they can take a series from anyone. Tapping buttons is the best LATAM player. Mikwen is playing through injury but is still a Halo legend with a lot left in the tank. Kuhlect is one of the most slept-on players in the HCS. Boam has been great the last 2 majors he’s had to play on short notice. They do lose some firepower with the loss of Barcode but there is still a lot of upside to this squad.
8. Shopify Rebellion
Ryanoob and Rayne are looking to make a deep tournament run after a disappointing performance at the Optic Major. Mental has been solid so far this season. Cykul is insanely talented and is a future superstar. If SR can set up Cykul to slay out they are a scary team to deal with. They’ll all need to be at their best if they want to make it far into the tournament.
9. Cloud 9
Rammy is an excellent player that has been scapegoated on his previous teams. No matter what team he ends up on he performs well. He’ll need to do the same this weekend. With Triton, Sceptify, and Nemassist they are a solid slaying team. They’ll need to step it up on obj modes to keep up against the elite teams.
10. G1
These guys have been putting in crazy hours of practice and hopefully, it translates to LAN. They are a very well-coached team. Swish and Suspector belong on top-tier teams. Let’s see if they can cause some upsets this weekend. If Huss and Precision show up G1 will surprise a lot of folks.
11. Complexity
I can’t get a read on this squad. Karmea is an upcoming talent that is on his way to becoming an elite player. He’s going to be a menace when he hits his prime. Gilkey is a great player that has been around for some time. King Nick is another vet that had solid performances on eUnited, Sen, and FaZe. I don’t see a clear leader on this team. I see them getting bounced early in the tournament.
12. Natus Vincere
Navi is one of the top dogs of European Halo. However, they struggle against the NA competition. I don’t see that changing this weekend. They do well against the lower-ranked NA teams but will get eliminated early this weekend unless Snipedrone has a legendary performance.
13. Bittersweet
I think King Jay is one of the most slept-on players in Halo that hasn’t gotten a chance to play on a top-tier team. Piggy is a solid player that can turn it up a notch at times. Cherished and Diagram have been improving lately. I’m rooting for them this weekend but it’s going to be an uphill battle.
14. Cruelty
Atzo and Bullet are some of the best the MX region has to offer. They are great halo players. I just think the NA competition is going to be too much for them this weekend.
15. Impact
They looked great against other European teams. But the NA teams are just on a different level. I don’t see them having competitive matches this weekend against the top 10 teams.
16. Mindfreak
Mindfreak has looked a step above the other ANZ teams this season. Sadly this isn’t an ANZ tournament. They’ll get knocked out on day 1.
