Welcome to week twenty of the Overwatch League 2020 season. Another week, another tough challenge for the young Vancouver Titans. Still searching for that elusive first win as a new squad, the lads from the north enter this weekend with fire in their bellies. From the hate they receive from fans of the old squad, to ridicule for their losing streak. They have something to prove. Something to fight for. In week twenty they will face a challenger in a similar boat, but with a better record: the Dallas Fuel. A team with immense talent and potential that could be a serious threat if they can put it together, not unlike the Titans. Most will predict that the Fuel will run away with the series, but it may be closer than anticipated.
Image Courtesy of the Dallas Fuel
If there is one thing that the Titans and the Fuel have in common is that the bulk of their power comes from their DPS lines. Jang “Decay” Gui-un and Kim “Doha” Dong-ha have been a monstrous duo all season long. Putting on steller performances each game, allowing the Fuel to compete with almost any team they come up against. Decay in particular deserves a massive shout out. This man has been on an absolute tear, destroying his enemies with his impeccable hitscan play. Against the Houston Outlaws in the May Melee, he delivered one of the most sensational performances on the Widowmaker in professional Overwatch. Posting a bonkers 42% critical hit accuracy, leading the Fuel to a record-setting attack time of five minutes, eleven seconds.
The rest of the Fuel have also leveled up their play. Lucas “NotE” Meissner, once thought of as just a Dva one trick has shown his capability on the Sigma as well, allowing the team to have flexibility in their Tanks. Combined with the level headed Youngjin “Gamsu” Noh and the lethal William “Crimzo” Hernandez, the team has solid parts to succeed with. That being said they have shown at times an overreliance on the pop-off skills of Decay. If he doesn’t go off, the team has shown struggles. They need him to be great so they can be.
Courtesy of the Vancouver Titans
The Titans are also a team that relies heavily on the immense skills of their DPS line to have a chance at victory. In their last two games vs their Canadian cousins the Toronto Defiant, the DPS line of the Titans have looked spectacular. The aptly named Dalton “Dalton” Bennyhoff and Niclas “sHockWave” Jensen made their presence known. Whether that be sHockWave dominating the widow battle on Illios or Dalton tearing up backlines on Tracer. They were a great threat. Yet they could not do it alone, leading to two losses. Alhumaidi “KSAA” Alruwaili had some flashes of brilliance on Sigma but the rest of the squad seems to be having a hard time. The support line is doing their best in regards to healing but is struggling to contribute on the damage front. Likewise, Abtin “Shredlock” Shirvani is not having as much of an impact as fans would like.
The team needs to step it up. The excuse of being a new team with ping issues will only last so long. Fans will need to see results soon to keep hope alive that the season can be salvageable. In order for them to have a hope at victory sHockWave and Dalton need to deliver a fantastic performance to keep the DPS of the Fuel in check. Decay can not be allowed to run rampant. If they can do this, and improve on the impact coming from their tanks and supports, they may have a chance. Never count out a team that is young, scrappy, and hungry. They don’t want to throw away their shot.
Overwatch League 2020 Season 2020-02-09 / Photo: CARLTON-BEENER for Activision Blizzard Entertainment
The power of Decay will likely end up being too much for the fresh Titans squad to deal with. They have a big hill to climb in order to beat a Fuel team led by such a monster. To slay the beast, they will have to become the beast. Have their DPS do what Decay does and completely take over the game. Not impossible, the Titans DPS are great, but in the end, it is likely they will not succeed. Keep the faith though Titans fans, stranger things have happened.
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