Heroes Assemble: Overwatch League 2022: Play-Offs Preview

Play-Offs Are Here!

The conclusion of the Countdown Cup Play-Ins has brought good tidings in the form of two final competitors to the global stage of the Overwatch League (OWL) Play-Offs. Toronto Defiant, Florida Mayhem and Hangzhou Spark now join the other nine teams for Play-Offs, the culmination of the year-long season to crown a World Champion.

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The teams to compete in Play-Offs will be:

• Dallas Fuel
• London Spitfire
• San Francisco Shock
• Atlanta Reign
• Florida Mayhem
• Los Angeles Gladiators
• Houston Outlaws
• Toronto Defiant
• Seoul Dynasty
• Shanghai Dragons
• Philadelphia Fusion
• Hangzhou Spark

 

Due to seed placements, Dallas Fuel, Seoul Dynasty, San Francisco Shock and Los Angeles Gladiator await the winners in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will battle it out in Round 1.

A new game and new meta promises for an exciting and unpredictable first Play-Offs for Overwatch 2.

 

Format

The tournament will be a single bracket, double elimination format. Teams will battle against each other in a Bo5 series.

This will also be the inaugural launch for Kiriko in pro play.

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Initial Matchups

Philadelphia Fusion vs. London Spitfire

The Philadelphia side has had an amazing season in 2022, finishing 2nd in the Kickoff Clash, placing 4th in the Midseason Madness before a 3rd place finish at the Summer Showdown. Within the regular season, they would finish 3rd amongst the Eastern teams.

London Spitfire, meanwhile, have had an up and down season. Finishing 5th amongst the Western teams, the London organization faces a tough first match their Eastern opponent.

 

Hangzhou Spark vs Shanghai Dragons

Shanghai Dragons are one of the favorites to win the whole tournament. Finishing first in the Summer Showdown, they would finish in 2nd just behind Seoul Dynasty. Coming into the tournament in strong form, Shanghai Dragons come into the tournament on a 3 series win streak.

Meanwhile, Hangzhou Spark just barely missed out on qualifying in the regular season. However, a clean series against Chengdu Hunters reasserted their rightful spot in any case. The matchup should come down to whether Shanghai Dragons can play their game on the day.

 

Florida Mayhem vs. Atlanta Reign

Atlanta Reign in 2022, have set a new precedent for themselves as one of the stronger teams to come out of the season. Tied with London Spitfire, the squad has shown great resilience against opposition, with veteran tank Blake “Gator” Scott leading the young roster from the front.

The Atlanta side has history with Florida, having beaten the opposing team no less than 3 times in the regular season. That said, Florida fought well through the Countdown Cup Play-Ins, only dropping a single point throughout to take the Upper Bracket Finals.

 

Toronto Defiant vs. Houston Outlaws

The Houston Outlaws have exceeded expectations this split with a 16-8 record over the regular season. Placing 4th in the season, the roster looks indomitable at the moment. Toronto, meanwhile, have looked shaky this season, losing to Florida Mayhem in a close battle during the Countdown Cup.

That said, Toronto Defiant boasts a strong win record against the Houston Outlaws this season. Should there be a team for the Toronto Defiant to surpass, it would likely be the Outlaws.

 

It Begins Tonight

The first match is set to happen tonight, 30th Oct, at 9.30 GMT, at the Anaheim Convention Center, CA. To watch the games, log on to Twitch or YouTube.

 

Image credit: Volpin Props