Casters:
Gillyweed
Zoia
Day 1 (Saturday, January 9)
Stream one:
Match 1: Blank vs. King of Blades (11:00 AM)
Match 3: Murloc Geniuses vs. Team Blaze (12:30 PM)
Match 5: Cloud 9 vs. [Winner of Match 2] (6:30 PM)
Match 6: TempoStorm vs. [Winner of Match 1] (8:00PM)
Stream two:
Match 2: Bob Ross Fan Club vs. oVo Gaming (11:00 AM)
Match 4: CoGnitive Gaming vs. Panda Global (12:30 PM)
The Teams:
As the most decorated NA team, Cloud 9 is looking to continue the North American supremacy they've enjoyed since their World Championship victory. They are the most feared team in the bracket; most players and teams are vocal about their respect for Cloud 9 and its players. With their two star assassins iDream and Arthelon, Cloud 9 is looking to dominate in a high-damage meta.
Dunktrain: Support
- Tyrande: 11-4, 73% competitive win-rate
- Uther: 61-23, 73% competitive win-rate
- Kharazim: 5-1, 83% competitive win-rate
KingCaffeine: Warrior
- E.T.C: 19-6, 76% competitive win-rate
- Muradin: 41-18, 70% competitive win-rate
- Stitches: 7-0, 100% competitive win-rate
iDream: Assassin
- Kael'Thas: 20-4, 83% competitive win-rate
- Kerrigan: 9-2, 82% competitive win-rate
- Illidan: 19-5, 79% competitive win-rate (world famous)
Famous for his outstanding mechanical plays, iDream is a feared Assassin player, whether he's on KT or his famous Illidan, he will make the game about him with his flashy playstyle.
k1pro: Flex Support
- Tyrande: 32-9, 78% competitive win-rate
- Tassadar: 21-7, 75% competitive win-rate
- Jaina: 46-27, 63% competitive win-rate
Arthelon: Ranged Assassin
- Raynor: 14-0, 100% competitive win-rate
- Azmodan: 17-2, 89% competitive win-rate
- Kael'Thas: 32-7, 72% competitive win-rate
Generally a high-damage Assassin player, Arthelon is one of Cloud 9's two star-quality Assassin players. Recently joined Cloud 9, leaving Bob Ross Fan Club.
Tempo StormDespite dominating most of the early 2015 scene, Tempo Storm is looking to show that they are a top-tier competitor. Due to the Loss of Dreadnaught, Zuna, and Arthelon during 2015, Tempo Storm has done some serious rebuilding and is extremely confident in its new talent: Srey, Goku, and Zixz. For Kaeyoh and So1dier, this tournament will speak to how well the rebuilding process has gone. Tempo Storm certainly has much to prove, and there is no lack of fierce competitors standing in their way.
Kaeyoh: Flex Specialist/Assassin
- Zagara: 35-14, 71% competitive win-rate
- Falstad: 12-0, 100% competitive win-rate
- Tassadar: 31-4, 89% competitive win-rate
”In every way, we are a stronger team.”
Srey: Flex Warrior
- Johanna (80% HL win-rate over 110 games)
- Leoric (76.5% HL win-rate over 119 games)
- Illidan (73.9 % HL win-rate over 92 games)
Goku: Flex Assassin/Warrior
- Zeratul: (70.7% HL win-rate over 188 games)
- Kael'Thas (66.7% HL win-rate over 102 games)
Zixz: Support
- Brightwing (9-9, 50% competitive win rate)
- Uther (79.7% HL win-rate over 143 games)
- Malfurion (83.3% HL win-rate over 66 games
So1dier: Flex Warrior/Assassin
- Muradin: 35-8, 81% competitive win-rate
- Anub'Arak: 21-5, 81% competitive win-rate
”I’m not worried about most teams...I think the real challenge will be facing off against C9 and Bob Ross.”
Recent dominators of the North American scene. Looking to come in, smash the tournament, and establish itself as the supreme NA team. Brothers Zuna and Kenma lead the line-up with fast-paced Assassin player, McIntyre providing constant pressure. Fan, recently departing from C9 to join BRFC, has a chance to show that he can make BRFC the better team.
McIntyre: Melee Assassin
- Zeratul: (9-2, 82% competitive win-rate)
- Kerrigan: (9-5, 64% competitive win-rate)
- Thrall: (2-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
Erho: Warrior
- Muradin (13-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
- E.T.C. (6-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
- Tyrael (5-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
Kenma: Support
- Uther (9-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
- Kharazim (4-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
- Malfurion (8-1, 89% competitive win-rate)
Zuna: Assassin Flex
- Jaina (30-3, 91% competitive win-rate)
- Zeratul (23-6, 79% competitive win-rate)
Star-player Zuna plays high-damage, high-impact carries. Whatever he plays, he’s always attracting attention in one way or another. Generally, it’s through unleashing large damage and making big plays.
Fan: Flex
- Muradin (9-2, 82% competitive win-rate)
- Illidan (21-5, 81% competitive win-rate)
- Sylvanas (21-9, 70% competitive win-rate)
After coming to Bob Ross Fan Club from Cloud 9, winning this championship will allow Fan to claim a spot above his former team.
Murloc GeniusesAs a team, Murloc Geniuses has put up several great performances for consistent results. If there is to be a dark-horse contender for first place, Murloc Geniuses is my pick. The unorthodox flex picks from Faye makes the draft phase against MG difficult; if their drafting is solid, a proper utilization of meta picks and updated strategies could prove deadly. With a comfortable bracket (starting the tournament against Team Blaze), Murloc Geniuses could make a run for the number one spot, especially if the team arrives with the proper practice and preparation under their belt.
Madtimmy: Support
- Rehgar (22-11, 67% competitive win-rate)
- Brightwing (11-6, 65% competitive win-rate)
- Uther (20-15, 57% competitive win-rate)
”I feel like we have a good chance against Blaze...if we’re prepared, we have a really high chance of winning...I’m not too afraid.”
Faye: Flex/Ranged Assassin.
- Jaina (13-15, 46% competitive win-rate)
- Zagara (8-5, 62% competitive win-rate)
- Falstad (5-2, 71% competitive win-rate)
CauthonLuck: Ranged Assassin
- Valla (9-3, 75% competitive win-rate)
- Tychus (7-5, 58% competitive win-rate)
Equinox: Flex
- Kerrigan (12-8, 60% competitive win-rate)
- Tyrande (4-1, 80% competitive win-rate)
- Nova (5-3, 63% competitive win-rate)
Fury: Warrior
- Muradin (15-6, competitive 71% win-rate)
- Johanna (7-9, 44% competitive win-rate)
”Cloud 9 will be our hardest matchup...after them, I’d say the new Tempo Storm line-up.”
Panda GlobalFormerly Kappa Wolves, team Panda Global comes into Heroes Rising with a quest to establish themselves as a top-tier North American team. Generally unproven, this squad will likely have trouble taking down teams from the top 3. After committing to a few lane-swaps, the Panda Global team will have to prove itself as an emerging team.
Psalm: Warrior
- Johanna (3-3, 50% competitive win-rate)
- Diablo (72% HL win-rate over 25 games)
”I think in this tournament, any team can take out any team. And we’re going to come into this tournament confident that we could take out the top teams, C9 and Bob Ross.”
Bigempct: Ranged Assassin
- Kael'thas (68.3% HL win-rate over 126 games)
- Jaina (66.7% HL win-rate over 108 games)
"We recently did role-swaps, and I feel we are a lot stronger because of that.”
Bkid: Ranged Flex
- Kael'Thas (66.7% HL win-rate over 132 games)
- Jaina (62.5% HL win-rate over 88 games)
akaface: Support
- Brightwing (13-6, 68% competitive win-rate)
- Malfurion (61.7% HL win-rate over 81 games)
- Kharazim (57.0% HL win-rate over 93 games)
MichaelUdall: Flex Damage
- Valla (4-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
- Jaina (5-1, 83% competitive win-rate)
- Sonya (1-2, 33% competitive win-rate)
”I don’t think [CoGnitive will be] the hardest team…but I don’t think we should underestimate them.”
COGnitiveOn a 6-game losing streak, CoGnitive comes into Heroes Rising looking for upsets against established competitors with its recently solidified roster. The goal for CoGnitive is to take the whole tournament, though finishing top five would be an accomplishment for this team.
Scylol: Warrior
- Johanna (16-13, 55% competitive win-rate)
- Muradin and Leoric (4-10, 29% competitive win-rate on both)
”Nothing in the past really matters. We’ll be fine [against Panda Global], though.
Syracuse: Flex Damage
- Abathur (9-7, 56% competitive win-rate)
- Valla (6-12, 33% competitive win-rate)
- Jaina (5-8, 38% competitive win-rate)
cattlepillar: Flex Warrior
- Arthas (12-6, 67% competitive win-rate)
- Johanna (13-19, 41% competitive win-rate)
- Anub'Arak (6-2, 75% competitive win-rate)
Kilick: Ranged Assassin
- Kael'Thas (2-4, 33% competitive win-rate)
- Valla (1-0, 100% competitive win-rate)
- Jaina (61.7% HL win-rate over 60 games)
Iakona: Support
- Uther (17-23, 43% competitive win-rate)
- Rehgar (8-12, 40% competitive win-rate)
- Li Li (3-1, 75% competitive win-rate)
”The main team I’m going to be watching out for is Cloud 9...because they’re the reigning world champions.”
Blank (SK Gaming)Blank is a hopeful amateur team which entered Heroes Rising through its online qualifiers. SK Gaming has chosen to support the team in its Heroes Rising endeavors. For the Blank squad, this is undoubtedly a huge opportunity; the sense of importance is definitely not lost on the team, and hopefully the story is not missed by the community.
Blank’s roster has recently solidified, so role-swaps may be actively occurring.
DanLeeFor3: Flex Damage
- Jaina (68.8% HL win-rate over 144 games)
- Kael’Thas (71.0% HL win-rate over 93 games)
- Kerrigan - (62.1% HL win-rate over 66 games)
Daihuu: Warrior
- Diablo (83.9% HL win-rate over 31 games)
- Johanna (65.5% HL win-rate over 55 games)
- Chen (71.4% HL win-rate over 21 games)
Plays a wide range of both offensive and defensive warriors.
GamesChess: Support
- Brightwing (59.7% HL win-rate over 243 games)
- Uther (58.9% HL win-rate over 158 games)
- Kharazim (64.1% HL win-rate over 78 games)
Araragi: Flex Assassin
- Nova (63.2% HL win-rate over 125 games)
- Kael’Thas (55.9% HL win-rate over 102 games)
- Illidan (61.4% HL win-rate over 57 games)
Shot: Ranged Assassin
- Valla (64.2% HL win-rate over 120 games)
- Kael’thas (57.3% HL win-rate over 103 games)
- Jaina (70.7% HL win-rate over 82 games)
”Make sure you [fans] are coming...I want to meet you guys!”
King of Blades - AlphaHeroes Rising is the first LAN event for most of the KOBA squad. The team is pumped to compete against the very best NA teams in a LAN environment. Through their flex player Frozenx, KOBA can use their jack-of-all-trades to manipulate draft phases for their favor. Largely unproven, KOBA looks to make a run to impress the North American scene.
Roles uncertain.
Darkchimaera: Support
- Malfurion (51.7% HL win-rate over 87 games)
- Uther (59.3% HL win-rate over 81 games)
- Kharazim (55.0% HL win-rate over 20 games)
"I'm really excited about playing against some of the best teams. Cloud 9, Tempo...everybody.”
Killuziion: Warrior Flex
- Muradin (65.5% HL win-rate over 145 games)
- Diablo (62.5% HL win-rate over 168 games)
- E.T.C (55.4% HL win-rate over 175 games)
"I'm really looking to play against C9, with Arthelon added to the team."
Tomster: Flex Damage
- Kael’Thas (70.0% HL win-rate over 40 games)
- Zagara (62.5% HL win-rate over 22 games)
- Sonya (54.6% HL win-rate over 22 games)
Talkingtrees: Ranged Assassin
- Jaina (65.3% HL win-rate over 274 games)
- Valla (58.4% HL win-rate over 185 games)
- Falstad (55.9% HL win-rate over 34 games)
Frozenx: Flex
- Zagara (60.7% HL win-rate over 206 games)
- Nazeebo (65.0% HL win-rate over 140 games)
- Sylvanas (54.6% HL win-rate over 141 games)
Jack of all trades. With a deep hero pool, Frozenx unlocks a lot of comp-based picks for his team.
oVo GamingBarely qualifying for the event through the Heroes Rising qualifiers, oVo gaming has certainly been placed in the “Bracket Spot of Death”. They are set to face two favorites, Bob Ross Fan Club and Cloud 9, in their first two matches. oVo simply hopes to put on a good display, and has the potential to pull off a magnificent upset.
Talaz: Flex Assassin
- Kael’thas (55.8% HL win-rate over 129 games)
- Jaina (57% HL win-rate over 114 games)
- Zeratul (56.8% HL win-rate over 74 games)
"The Heroes Rising event is very important to the Heroes Community because it’s such a young game...it’s one of the first LANs.”
jeleto: Damage Flex
- Valla (52.8% HL win-rate over 212 games)
- Kael’thas (61.5% HL win-rate over 182 games)
- Raynor (57.5% HL win-rate over 80 games)
LexUther: Support
- Uther (59.4% HL win-rate over 261 games)
- Rehgar (61.5% HL win-rate over 161 games)
- Brightwing (66.1% HL win-rate over 124 games)
TR4PQU33n: Flex Support
- Abathur (55.8% HL win-rate over 104 games)
- Rehgar (69.5% HL win-rate over 105 games)
- Tyrande (70.7% HL win-rate over 58 games)
Theoculus: Warrior
- Johanna (60% HL win-rate over 80 games)
- Muradin (54.4% HL win-rate over 79 games)
- Tyrael (55.6% HL win-rate over 45 games)
"I think our team's biggest challenge going into the tournament is definitely going to be our bracket. First we have to beat Bob Ross Fan Club, then we have to beat Cloud 9. But I think, you know, as long as we can carry TR4PQU33n up, we can beat 'em."
Team BlazeThe first place winner of several Go4Heroes cups, Team Blaze is looking to establish themselves as a legitimate North American force. As the first LAN tournament for the majority of the team, Heroes Rising is Blaze’s first chance at proving itself on a large scale. Carrying with them the adrenaline-filled excitement and LAN jitters, Blaze looks to begin a hot-streak with a Heroes Rising victory.
Yuuj: Support
- Kharazim (7-2, 77.8% competitive win-rate)
- Uther (4-8, 33.3% competitive win-rate)
- Brightwing (64.8% HL win-rate over 355 games)
Batterry: Warrior
- Leoric (7-3, 70% competitive win-rate)
- Muradin (7-7, 50% competitive win-rate)
”Feeling pretty confident about Murloc Geniuses….now that [we’ve had] some time with the new scaling changes, we can really put up a good fight.”
Jason: Flex/Ranged Damage
- Zagara (5-2, 71% competitive win-rate)
- Kael’thas (3-2, 60% competitive win-rate)
Kladeous: Flex Damage
- Zeratul (6-6, 50% competitive win-rate)
- Thrall (2-2, 50% competitive win-rate)
Roflcopter: Flex/Ranged Assassin
- Raynor (7-3, 70% competitive win-rate)
- Jaina (6-3, 67% competitive win-rate)
- Zagara (2-5, 29% competitive win-rate)
"Three out of the five players [of team Blaze]...this is our LAN first tournament. So, dealing with the LAN instead of an offline tournament is going to be a lot different."
Final thoughts:
As the first LAN event of 2016, Heroes Rising represents an amazing opportunity for the Heroes community. Being a crowdfunded event, the competitive HotS community will have a large impact on the overall success and legitimacy of the tournament. This event, in the context of the year, is about kicking off a successful 2016 for not only Heroes of the Storm, but North American eSports. Hopefully the North American viewership and support comes out in force to launch this year’s first large Heroes of the Storm tournament.
Competitive data taken from Gosugamers.net. Hero data analyzed through Hotslogs.com.
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