The Dynasty finally is starting to have a regular schedule mid-way through the season. Week 13 is bringing them to face the Hangzhou Spark that the won against in Week 12. The previous week was a mixed bag beating the Hangzhou Spark on Saturday, but losing 0:3 to the Shanghai Dragons on Sunday. The Dragons revealed weaknesses in the armor that were the Seoul Dynasty. With this one loss, the despair and doubt have started to creep into some of the community’s minds about the Dynasty. It is essential that they have a strong showing this week or else the narrative will turn out of their favor.
Guangzhou Charge (5/2): 4-6-0
The Guangzhou Charge is a new opponent for the Seoul Dynasty to face. The last time these two teams faced each other was in the Season 2 play-in tournament where the Dynasty beat the Charge to move on in the playoffs. A huge moment was on the first map of Busan when Byungsun ‘Fleta’ Kim as McCree shut down Charlie ‘Nero’ Zwarg’s Pharah. This time around, Fleta is not on the team and McCree is out of the rotation. The other variable to be added in is that Echo is available for play for the first time. Will Echo be seen in the compositions? How will that impact the power standings as a new hero can counterbalance the expected results.
The Dynasty needs to have a plan in place for Pharah. This has been a weakness in the past when dealing with Fleta’s Pharah in Week 12. Echo has a similar movement ability as Pharah, creating another angle that the team has to deal with. Shanghai really magnified the issues within Seoul. Minseo ‘Marve1’ Hwang needs to be much more comfortable on all off tanks if that is the role he is going to be playing. It might be nice for the Tiger Nation to see Minhyuk ‘Michelle’ Choi Marve1 tank duo again. Michelle is not as strong on main tanks as Jaehui ‘Gesture’ Hong, but that surprise move, as well as existing synergies, could get a map win. In general, the Dynasty needs to be faster on their feet in making decisions and having plans for what to do. Working as a team instead of individuals popping off will be the key to success.
Prediction: 3:2 Seoul
Before Week 12 happened, it would have been an easy 3:0 prediction. With the historically hard time Seoul has with Pharahs and Echo in the mix, the Dynasty could struggle. It is dependent on their mental as well as how they react if the Charge creates a fast pace match. McCree being out of the rotation is a big nerf for the Dynasty who favors the McCree Mei DPS comps. Though Mercy being out is a buff to Seoul. The Dynasty other than Jinwoo ‘Gambler’ Heo has never really gad a Mercy player. Pharah or Echo without Mercy is definitely more vulnerable. Wrecking ball and Widow doesn’t impact Seoul either way. Mei and Reaper are available which Seoul has run in the past to great success, but it doesn’t give a great counter play to possible Echos and Pharahs.
Happy is one of the more aggressive DPS players in trying to secure first kills. It will be important for the Dynasty to watch out for him to make sure that they get those 6v6 fights instead of being down a player.
Player to Watch: Jemin ‘Illicit’ Park
This is the time of Illicit. With McCree and Widowmaker out of the rotation, that limits Dongeon ‘FITS’ Kim hero pool. Yes, FITS has been a pop-off light at the end of the tunnel for the Tiger Nation. Illicit could be an amazing Echo player. In the San Francisco Shock PTR Echo show match, yes Junyoung ‘Profit’ Park has marginally the best (though all the Dynasty DPS were not transcendent at the hero), but Illicit had untapped potential in the character. If Seoul pulls out their own Pharah Illicit could shine, and he is also a proficient Mei, which then allows Profit to jump on Sombra or Soldier or even Ashe if need be. Watch to see if Illicit gets put in and what heroes he pulls out of his hat.
Hangzhou Spark (5/3): 4-5-0
It is interesting to have the Dynasty play the Hangzhou Spark just a week after their last match. The Dynasty has everything to lose in this match. If they win it is expected because they won before, but if they lose it shows that they are ‘slipping’. This match will show who did the most effective prepping for the match, as with new hero pools it is a whole new ball game.
To win the match it is essential that the Dynasty has Marve1 on a hero that he is comfortable on. They cannot rely on FITS popping off on McCree. With potentially more air spam, D.Va could still be the answer. Marve1 is not at the level Michelle is for this hero. Marve1 needs to be confident in his pick, and that might mean going away from D.Va onto Sigma. The double shield is not as effective as D.Va defense matrix, but abilities and heroes are only as impactful as the player makes them.
Prediction: 3:1 Seoul
Last week Volskaya and Busan were won off of FITS’ McCree. This week that is not available to the Dynasty. The Spark has never been a team that thrived in constant changing of the meta. Hero pools hurt them the most. Will the Spark be able to use the VODs from the Shanghai match to improve their own playstyle? The Spark would have most likely wanted to run a Mercy alongside the Pharah or Echo, as Hojin ‘IDK’ Park is a good Mercy player. With Mercy unavailable, that might give the Dynasty an edge. With a new hero, it is always hard to predict as there is no data on how that hero will buff or nerf a team.
Player to watch: Qiulin ‘Guxue’ Xu
The Seoul Dynasty last week was able to pick off Guxue 1st a few times. That left the supports and DPS exposed. Many times when Guxue fell that meant the Seoul Dynasty was going to win that fight. It will be important to see how Guxue changes his playstyle so as not to be caught out as much. If Guxue is continued to be picked off then the chances for another Seoul victory goes up. Though if Guxue comes out swinging and outclasses Gesture then the Tiger Nation could be in for a rough match.
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