Overwatch League Power Rankings: Season 5 Preseason

The Overwatch League is finally back in action, and so are the Overwatch League power rankings. After a long offseason filled with monumental moves, questions around the league and even an Overwatch 2 beta, the pros have returned for their fifth season. Some teams look like they are set to roll over the competition despite hopping into a new game. Others look like they are simply unsure as to what to expect this season, so they crafted large rosters to handle any situation.

[Related: 2022 Overwatch League Viewers Guide: NA Teams]

With the rosters set and the games on the way, the league looks a little different from when viewers last saw it. Shanghai is still the top dog, but there are still a few teams that are ready to take their shots at the king.

Before the games get started this year, The Game Haus is here with preseason Overwatch League power rankings for each team. 

---

APAC Region

1.Shanghai Dragons

The champs are ready to take the crown once again. Their offseason was quiet, but they didn’t need to do much to remain one of the scariest teams in the league. Time to see if Fleta is still the meta in Overwatch 2.

• Bryan Rockwood

2. Seoul Dynasty

The Dynasty have always been so close to greatness. They have their ups and downs, but heading into Overwatch 2 fans are feeling pretty optimistic. Though they did lose Jjonak before the season even kicked off, Seoul should be one of the frontrunners in the APAC region. 

• Bryan Rockwood

3. Chendgu Hunters

Chengdu had a quiet offseason until they didn’t. The team had to drop several players at the very end of the offseason, in what appeared to be an issue with team finances. Either way, the Hunters were able to keep Leave for the 2022, and that should be enough for the squad to always compete. 

• Bryan Rockwood

4. Philadelphia  Fusion

The Fusion have rebuilt their roster this season around their main man Carpe. They’ve brought in three interesting rookies as well as two vets in AimGod and Fury. If the rookies can come through, Philly might be able to steal some wins against the top teams in APAC. 

• Bryan Rockwood

5. Hangzhou Spark

The Spark have a massive roster with loads of talent. However the problem, as it has been for the past couple of years, is finding a way to properly utilize that talent. They’ve picked up some elite Contenders talent, and kept long-time standouts like Shy and Architect. The Spark’s biggest enemy will be themselves. 

• Bryan Rockwood

6. Guangzhou charge

The Charge are a team that will struggle early in the season and will pretty much be in a holding pattern until ChoiSewhan comes back. Even when he makes it back, they will be fighting for their lives to win maps against some of these teams. 

• Bryan Rockwood

7. Los Angeles Valiant

If you have the most flexible DPS lineup in the League, are you really losing? Oh, uh, y-you are? Nobody told Nohill…

• Sam Hopwood

NA Region

1. Los Angeles Gladiators

LAG have brought in some serious talent to make up for the players they lost. Reiner and Patiphan are some of the most exciting rookies to enter the NA region, and are sure to light up OWL from day 1. A team with Kevster, Funnyastro and SPACE are sure to be the best in the league.

• Bryan Rockwood

2. Dallas Fuel

Dallas is the exact same dominant team as last year, now without the Rock-Lee style weights. Enough said.

• Sam Hopwood

3. Atlanta Reign

Anyone sleeping on the Reign better get ready for a rude awakening. A powerful rookie back line, a fearsome squad on DPS and a proven tank duo make up this team of players ready to take the crown they were denied this past season. The Phoenix will rise in 2022.

• Ethan Butler

4. San Francisco Shock

The Shock oddly look weaker this year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t stomp lesser teams. A slimmed down roster from 2021 means the shock will have a lot less flexibility through the season. If all the new pieces hit, the Shock are sure to be regulars in the mid-season tournaments. 

• Bryan Rockwood

5. Houston Outlaws

Sometimes just grabbing all the best players from last year is good enough to be top 5 in a region. Houston is going to put that to the test, as they took both Pelican and Ir1s from Atlanta in hopes to create a team that can really threaten the top half of the region. The team trusts PIGGY to handle all the tank responsibilities, so viewers will have to wait and see if that gamble pays off. 

• Bryan Rockwood

6. Washington Justice

Another year, and another Washington Justice roster that boasts a stellar DPS line without much going on anywhere else. Happy, ASSASSIN and Decay will have to really put in the work to help out the rest of the roster. The team won’t have Vigilante till half way through the season, so they are now relying on OPENER and Krillin to keep those carries alive. 

• Bryan Rockwood

7. Toronto Defiant

The Defiant are low on peoples radar, but they are one of the teams that could really surprise this year. THe DPS line has some work to do, but with Twilight and Chorong in the backline, there’s play making ability from places outside the damage dealers. 

• Bryan Rockwood

8. Florida Mayhem

The Mayhem have a whacky roster, but it’s a roster that could really be great if the coaching staff can figure it out. There is star power in the DPS line, and a lot of unknown in the support and tank roles. SOMEONE could be a true standout if the scrim rumors are true. 

• Bryan Rockwood

9. Boston Uprising

Boston is one of the most flexible teams in the League- there’s no arguing against that. They have tons of options to choose from in every single role. There is one problem, though- most of the time, none of their options are very good.

• Sam Hopwood

10. New York Excelsior

The NYXL join the Shock as one of the smallest rosters in the league. In fact, barely had six players up until the signing deadline. Regardless, Yaki and GangNamJin have their work cut out for them to carry this team above middling level. 

• Bryan Rockwood

11. Paris Eternal

If viewers learned anything about Paris last year, it’s to never underestimate this rag-tag team of fighters. Naga and Kaan shocked the league with their highlight reel plays, while Dridro and Vestola made immediate impacts after joining mid-season. Glister is the new face on the squad and time will tell if he can mesh with the rest of the European roster. 

• Bryan Rockwood

12. Vancouver Titans

Vancouver had a rough go last year. The roster lacked star power and overall they just seemed outclassed every step of the way. They had their moments, but 2021 was a forgettable one for the Titans. This new season welcomes back Shockwave, who should be the strong DPS player they need to be able to win games. 

• Bryan Rockwood

13. London Spitfire

It’s been a slow decline for London after their Inaugural Season championship. 2021 was rough to say the least, and 2022 is shaping up to be another long season. Maybe a few additions in the offseason will help right the ship.

• Bryan Rockwood

---

Stay Connected

Featured image courtesy of the Overwatch League

You can like The Game Haus on Facebook! And make sure to follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other TGH writers.

Follow Bryan on Twitter @esportsbrock for more updates on Overwatch, VALORANT, and the LCS