The Wild West and Chemists: LA Valiant Countdown Cup Week 3 Preview

After a week off, the LA Valiant return to play this week. Their opponents this week are less than friendly. The winged Valkyrie must go against the embodiment of Jesse McCree and some chemists. Nothing will be easy this week, the Valiant must take it. Here is this weeks preview article.

Vs. Houston Outlaws

Image Courtesy of Houston Outlaws

These teams have ended up in a similar place over the past month. The Outlaws have struggled but there potential is clear after the matches during the past few metas. The LA Valiant meanwhile regressed from their May Melee performance across the two most recent metas. They have not struggled like the Outlaws, but they have not played as well.

Both rosters somewhat mirror each there in terms of structure. Both of these teams have a top DPS player, KSP & Danteh respectively, with a rotating supporting cast to fill out the other role. Jecse and Rain, both underrated main supports going into this season, are now two of the better main supports in the league. Meanwhile McGravy and Meko are both pretty good off tanks, Meko being slightly better. The Valiant have an advantage at two positions, flex support and main tank. At flex support, lastro is miles better than Rawkus and Rapel. In terms of main tank…

Matchup to Watch: Main Tank Battle Go Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Image Courtesy of Houston Outlaws

This is the most dangerous matchup for both teams. The Valiant will likely run Dreamer and the Outlaws will likely run Hydration. Now without hero pools, the Outlaws will likely play an Orisa composition to benefit Hydration. Playing Orisa is not that hard, but Hydration going to a pocket pick is dangerous. If Dreamer ends up losing the matchup, that could spell disaster for the Valiant. If Hydration can run wild and help his team, the Outlaws could easily win.

Prediction: 3-2 LA Valiant

Vs. Philadelphia Fusion

2019-08-25 – Overwatch League 2019 – LA Valiant Homestand / Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment

Can they win this? It is certainly not impossible for the Valiant to win, but it will be very hard. The Fusion simply have superior talent at every position. Funnyastro and Alarm are better than both RaiN and Lastro. Eqo, Ivy, Heesu, and Chipsa is a supporting cast than KSF, Shax, and Apply. The duo of Poko and Fury is better than McGravy. Sado is better than GiG and Dreamer. The one spot they can mirror the Fusion at is hitscan DPS. It will be an uphill climb, but there is one matchup they can at least win part of the time.

Matchup to Watch: I Have You In My Sights

Courtesy of the Los Angeles Valiant

Very few hitscan players have the ability to match up with Carpe in a 1v1. Across all of OWL, KSP in one of those players who can match him. Both Carpe and KSP have some of the best raw aim and mechanics in the entire league. Stats wise Carpe is 8th in final blows per 10 while KSP is sixth. This is the most equal matchup in the entire match. If KSP can beat out Carpe just half of the time, the Valiant’s chances of winning will greatly increase. It is impossible to stop Carpe, but if he can be slowed down enough they have a chance.

Prediction: 3-1 Fusion

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Featured image courtesy of Overwatch League.

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