Home » Overwatch: Atlanta Reign’s Five Biggest Games

Overwatch: Atlanta Reign’s Five Biggest Games

Bradley Long

Publish Date: December 15, 2018

This week the Overwatch League released their Season 2 schedule, giving fans a first look at changes to the league’s format. Starting on February 14, Season 2 will feature the league’s 20 teams, including eight expansion franchises, playing 28 games — down from 40 last season. The schedule is still comprised of 20 weeks split across four stages. The expansion of the league also means a new playoff system. Stage playoffs return for Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3, with eight teams competing. The Stage 4 playoffs have been replaced with a play in tournament to determine the final two places in the Season playoffs. The 7th-12th teams in the standings will compete in a single-elimination tournament in an attempt to join the two division winners and four other qualifiers from the regular season.

Among the new teams joining the Overwatch League for Season 2 are the Atlanta Reign. The Reign are one of the three franchises — and the only expansion team — chosen to host a Homestand Weekend and some of the Overwatch League’s first true home games. Here are the five biggest games on the schedule for the Atlanta Reign during Season 2.

Florida Mayhem (Stage 1, Week 1)

Atlanta will begin their inaugural campaign against the Florida Mayhem, a team looking to bounce back from a rocky Season 1. This matchup will serve as a solid litmus test for both teams as the Reign try to avoid the pitfalls that beset the Mayhem in 2018. There will be little room for slow starts in Season 2 — every game matters immensely in a 28-game season. Plus, this will be the first meeting between two teams that, based on geography and history, should be rivals.

Atlanta bring to the table a talented but volatile lineup, a mix of proven commodities from Korea and solid but raw Western players. Then there’s dafran. Daniel “dafran” Francesca, the polarizing Dane, could make this team dangerous with his gifted DPS play. He could also put them in peril of implosion at any moment, depending on his feelings about himself and Overwatch. February 15 could be his return to professional play after almost two years. No matter the outcome, it will be must-see Overwatch.

London Spitfire (Stage 2, Week 1)

Until further notice, the London Spitfire are the team to beat in the Overwatch League. The reigning champs are stacked at every position, a true test for an Atlanta squad that should be rounding into form after Stage 1. London have made few changes to their roster, adding Hee-dong “Guard” Lee and Yung-hoon “Krillin” Jung. They will remain the best barometer for any expansion team looking to prove themselves.

(Image Courtesy of Atlanta Reign)

Atlanta will need their vaunted tank line — Dong-hyeong “DACO” Seo and Hyun-jun “Pokpo” Park — to set the tone if they want to compete with London. They will have their hands full with the best tank duo in the league — Jun-ho “Fury” Kim and Jae-hui “Gesture” Hong. If the Reign can reach their peak early in the season, they will be a threat to knock off any team, including the champs.

Toronto Defiant (Stage 3, Week 5)

On the surface, a mid-season matchup between two expansion teams might not seem the most exciting game. On July 6th though, Atlanta will play host to the Toronto Defiant, becoming the first expansion team to hold games away from Blizzard Arena. It will be a monumental moment for the franchise and the league alike. Both have much riding on their ability to quickly establish fanbases in local markets ahead of Season 3. If the Overwatch League is to succeed, it must fill arenas across the world, and Atlanta will be an early indicator.

Both Toronto and Atlanta have serious playoff ambitions as expansion teams, so this division matchup will be crucial. Bolstered by Season 1 veterans Kang-jae “envy” Lee, Se-hyeon “Neko” Park and Jun-sung “Asher” Choi, the Defiant will battle Atlanta for the title of best expansion team in the Atlantic Division. Their Stage 3 clash will perhaps answer that question.

London Spitfire (Stage 4, Week 4)

By the time stage 4 rolls around, the Atlanta Reign have the potential to be among the best teams in the league. Their multinational roster may not be ready to challenge the Spitfire early, but they will improve rapidly. Atlanta has a talented support staff led by Brad “Sephy” Rajani, a veteran who might be the only person capable of taming dafran. If he can bring them together, this squad has tremendous potential, but it will take time.

Photo courtesy of Liquipedia

Atlanta gets a second crack at the Spitfire as Season 2 approaches its conclusion. Their supports — Petja “Masaa” Kantanen and Steven “Kodak” Rosenberger — will have 25 games of Overwatch League experience under their belts. They will have time to grow as a unit. By then, the Reign will be a force to be reckoned with, and London will not be able to overlook them. To do so would be foolish.

Boston Uprising (Stage 4, Week 5)

By this point of the season, it will be clear whether Atlanta’s roster experiment has yielded the desired results. If they can gel and reach their peak, they will be reaching the end on a high. Joon “Erster” Jeong and dafran can be a world-beating DPS duo, but dafran must be stable and available. Otherwise, the Reign must rely on Ilya “NLaaeR” Koppalov, a skilled but unproven player. His talent in undeniable, but he will not be a top DPS from day one. If he is needed heavily, Atlanta could struggle.

Atlanta ought to be firmly in the playoff hunt heading into the final week of games. They will take on the Dallas Fuel and Boston Uprising, two teams that could join them in the thick of it. Closing strong not only could secure a playoff spot, but would also set momentum for a potential playoff run. The Reign are one of the hardest teams to read going into Season 2, a potential roller coaster on and off the stage. No matter where they wind up, it will be a ride to remember.