The 2021 Overwatch League (OWL) Playoffs are providing some of the most interesting action to date. If the previous Postseasons tell fans anything, there are bound to be some unforgettable Playoff heroes on the horizon. To get a better idea of who that could be this year, a look into the past is necessary. Here are four of the best OWL playoff performers of all time.
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Joon-yeong ‘Profit’ Park
It wouldn’t be much of a list without the inclusion of Profit. Both in 2018 and 2020, he played a pivotal role in helping the Spitfire and Dynasty make the Grand Finals. His clutch play throughout the two postseasons are as iconic as they come. The more memorable of which is the Inaugural Season run. In 2018, the main storyline was how he was the best Hanzo player by far.
Back then, Hanzo had just come off a rework. The addition of the Storm Arrow and Leap abilities made him incredibly strong. Despite these changes, Profit picked up Hanzo without missing a beat. In typical fashion, Profit showcased some of the best versatility of all DPS players. Every step of the way he was a living highlight reel.
His most memorable performance most definitely came in the 2018 Grand Finals though. Not only did he win Finals MVP, but he was always at the center of attention. Between Hanzo and his signature Tracer, he was practically unstoppable. He thoroughly outplayed fellow superstar, Jae-hyeok ‘Carpe’ Lee. Without Profit’s efforts, the Spitfire may not have been able to go on that magical run.
Hyo-bin ‘Choihyobin’ Choi
One cannot forget the consistency of Choihyobin. He once was recognized as the best Off-Tank in the world. Part of the reason for that was his ability to step up when his team truly needed it.
After the upset at the hands of the Atlanta Reign in round one of the 2019 Playoffs, Choihyobin took it upon himself to do better. Sigma had gained relevance in the meta and he did not seem ready. Blake ‘Gator’ Scott, a rookie at the time, outplayed him. After this loss, Choihyobin never looked back ever again.
Throughout the rest of the Season 2 Playoffs, he and the Shock never lost another map. The Shock went on the most dominant Playoff streak to date. At the forefront of this sudden improvement was Choihyobin. He did what every all-time great does when faced with adversity. He worked harder.
Choihyobin showcased some of the swiftest improvements on a single hero the League has ever seen. Taking home the 2019 Grand Finals MVP is proof of his efforts. Such drastic improvement came in the span of a few weeks. It’s part of why that 2019 Playoff run was so special. Choihyobin never fails to deliver when it truly matters. That in turn makes him one of the best OWL Playoff performers ever.
Grant ‘Moth’ Espe
If there is one person who has Playoff consistency mastered, it’s Moth. Despite playing a not-so flashy position, Moth always ends up in the spotlight. Whether it was on Lucio in 2019 or Mercy in 2020, Moth never caught overwhelming criticism. He stayed out of trouble, which is more than any team could ask from their Main Support.
But it’s not just the smart decision-making that makes Moth such a special Postseason performer. It is that he isn’t afraid to make the plays himself when it’s necessary. His 4k environmental kill on the Atlanta Reign in the 2019 Playoffs exemplifies this perfectly. The Shock were locked in a struggle and they needed a good attack to make Rialto winnable. When Moth’s team needs a hero, he tends to answer the call. This playmaking ability is incredibly impressive when considering what position he plays.
What truly pushes Moth over the top as a Playoff performer though is his leadership. That ability to stay focused and keep one’s teammates in check is a rare trait to come by. Moth has mastered how to be an effective in-game leader. That is something that numbers and gameplay can’t even begin to measure. It’s what makes him an all-time great.
Gui-un ‘Decay’ Jang
In his second year, Decay put together one of the greatest stretches in Playoff history. Behind a high-powered Zarya, Decay and the Washington Justice nearly altered history. While the meta played up to Washington’s strengths, it is commonly recognized that Decay was the main catalyst behind their playoff run. It wasn’t until he signed with the team that these results started pouring in.
The Justice fully invested in his Zarya-play and he never let them down. The strategy was to put as many resources as possible into Decay then let him do the rest. This type of plan can easily backfire but it didn’t in Washington’s case. Decay truly was that dominant as he consistently outplayed some of the League’s premiere damage dealers.
The Justice nearly sent the 2020 Champion San Francisco Shock down to the lower bracket. On top of that, Washington went all the way to the lower bracket finals. In the five matches, they won during the 2020 Playoffs, it never took more than four maps to finish the job.
For some players, it’s not about their personality or leadership. They let their skills do the talking. Decay was that very player in the 2020 Playoffs. Despite not making the Grand Finals then, Decay’s 2020 dominance makes him one of the best OWL Playoff performers to date.
More to Come
There are so many historically great Playoff performers in the League’s brief time of existence. Greatness makes up the very essence of the Overwatch League. All-time great Playoff performers are bound to continue popping up both this year and in future seasons to come.
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