North American Power Rankings Issue #2

Welcome to another issue of the North American Power Rankings, presented by Average Gatsby. With the Intel Extreme Master’s World Championship coming in March, it’s time to re-assess the strength of North American teams. Like the European edition, I’ve decided to weigh prized events a bit more heavily than the previous edition. Yet, as always, Challenger Circuit results have the most weight.
While the top two teams have remained the same, teams further down the list have seen some swaps. As of yet, no new teams have emerged but as the circuit continues and more North American Challenger Circuit stops are added, we could see some changes to who is on this list.
1. Team SoloMid

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 1^st (Tied with Counter Logic Gaming)
• Recent Circuit Performance: 2^nd IntelEM Kiev
• Notable Prized Events: 2^nd Go4LoL EU West #75

Though Team SoloMid lost to rival Moscow Five at IntelEM Kiev, they completely dominated every other team at the event, whether North American or European, and only a single game separated them from a first place finish. With the IntelEM World Championship on the horizon, the team has now begun practicing and competing in Europe, taking on any challengers they can find.
2. Counter Logic Gaming

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 1^st (Tied with Team SoloMid)
• Recent Circuit Performance: 4^th IntelEM New York (did not qualify for IntelEM Kiev)
• Notable Prized Events: 2^nd OGN invitational

Counter Logic gaming has been performing well in prized events, with a second place finish at the Korean OGN invitational, as well as dominating the NA arranged 5v5 ladder. With a victory over Chinese team World Elite, who Counter Logic Gaming will face in the group stage of the IntelEM World Championship, they’ll go into Hanover with unique international experience.
3. Dignitas

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 3^rd
• Recent Circuit Performance: 3^rd IntelEM Kiev
• Notable Prized Events: none

At IntelEM Kiev, Dignitas performed very well, only losing to the top team in each region. They made it out of the more competitive of the two group stages and displayed exceptional skill against SK Gaming in the third place match. Their new jungler, I Will Dominate, has proven to be effective both online and offline, and the team looks to be a serious contender at the IntelEM World Championship.
4. Curse Gaming

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 5^th
• Recent Circuit Performance: 5/6^th IntelEM Kiev
• Notable Prized Events: Currently occupying the king position in the IPL Killing Spree tournament

Curse Gaming went to IntelEM Kiev on a mission to qualify for the IntelEM World Championship, and even though they were forced to use many substitutes, they succeeded in aquiring enough points to make it. Though they’ve yet to have a stand out live event performance, they’ve been successful online, beating Counter Logic Gaming and RFLX at the IPL Killing Spree. With their roster confirmed, the IntelEM World Championship could be the breakout event the team is looking for.
5. Epik

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 4^th
• Recent Circuit Performance: 2^nd at MLG Providence (did not qualify for IntelEM Kiev)
• Notable Prized Events: None

Since the IntelEM Kiev qualifiers, Epik hasn’t been very active in the competitive scene in North America. The team didn’t run full rosters during the CLG last call tournament or the IPL Killing Spree Match, so it’s hard to judge the strength of the team. The team is still practicing, and as more North American Challenger Circuit stops are announced, there’s no doubt Epik will look to compete in those events.
6. Goose

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 6^th (Tied with v8 eSports and Complexity Gaming)
• Recent Circuit Performance: Qualified but could not attend IntelEM Kiev
• Notable Prized Events: 1^st NA Go4LoL December Monthly Finals, 1^st NA Go4LoL #44, #46, #48

While the loss of Lemongod and the inability for the team to attend IntelEM Kiev prevented the team from making it to the IntelEM World Championship, goose has certainly not surrendered any of their competitive spirit. The team has proved to be voracious and effective competitors, entering and placing in as many prized events as they can, as well as constantly practicing on the arranged 5v5 ladder and scrimmages.
7. RFLX

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 9^th
• Recent Circuit Performance: 4^th MLG Providence (Did not qualify for IntelEM Kiev)
• Notable Prized Events: 2^nd NA Go4LoL December Monthly Finals, 1^st NA Go4LoL #47

RFLX continues to compete in many prized events, recently claiming victory over Epik in the IPL Killing Spree and second in the NA Go4LoL monthly finals. Like Goose, the team practices and plays the arranged 5v5 ladder consistently, and will likely be a team to watch as the Challenger Circuit continues throughout the season.
8. v8 esports

• Current Challenger Circuit Rating: 6^th (Tied with Goose and Complexity Gaming)
• Recent Circuit Performance: 4^th at the IntelEM Kiev Qualifier
• Notable Prized Events: none

While v8 continues to practice, they’ve not been competing in as many prized events, so it’s hard to judge how they stack up against the rest of the top North American teams. However, no North American team has really been able to challenge their placement in the top eight.