Esports

Raid boss of the East: Shanghai Dragons 2021 team preview

Published

4 weeks ago

March 19, 2021

During the 2020 Overwatch League season, the Shanghai Dragons’ accomplishments mirrored those of North America’s standout team, the San Francisco Shock. COVID-19 restrictions stopped the teams from battling until the Grand Finals bracket. Many fans expected an eventual Grand Finals match between the two teams, but the Seoul Dynasty—and Shanghai’s own mistakes—sent the team home with a third-place finish.

Since then, the Shanghai Dragons have been on a “revenge tour,” winning both the NeXT Cup and Esports Shanghai Masters tournament during the offseason. The Dragons made small but valuable roster changes, filling gaps before they face the rest of the East region in 2021.

Tank

Shanghai may have lost stellar main tank Lee “FEARLESS” Eui-sok to the upgraded Dallas Fuel, but head coach Moon Byung-chul finally nabbed his favorite player for the Dragons. Former Florida Mayhem main tank Koo “Fate” Pan-seung brings a stable, veteran presence that Shanghai sorely needs.

In the off-tank role, Kang “Void” Jun-woo will likely reprise his impressive 2020 performance. Shanghai’s tank line has a lot of potential, but it may be a weak point in this championship-tier team if Fate and Void can’t flex to fit changing metas.

Support

Last year, main support Lee “LeeJaeGon” Jae-gon and flex support Kim “Izayaki” Min-chul were an absolute nightmare for enemy teams. Leejaegon nabbed a 2020 Role Star award for his high-risk, high-reward playstyle. To balance that chaos out, Izayaki aims to stay consistent and terrifying on heroes like Zenyatta and Ana.

Former Chengdu Hunters flex support He “Molly” Chengzi has also joined the Dragons as the team prepares for possible double flex support metas. But Molly will likely be relegated to the bench while Izayaki and LeeJaeGon continue their reign of terror into 2021.

DPS

Shanghai stockpiled DPS players over the offseason, adding Atlanta Reign standout Jeong “Erster” Joon. The team also retained hitscan players Bae “Diem” Min-sung and Lee “LIP” Jae-won. Erster’s deep hero pool should help balance the team as new metas arise.

No matter how many DPS players Shanghai adds, however, no one compares to 2020 Overwatch League MVP Kim “Fleta” Byung-sun. Able to flex to numerous heroes and take over teamfights, Fleta will remain a serious threat to teams everywhere in 2021. His Echo play during the NeXT Cup was critical to Shanghai’s eventual win.

2021 outlook

After achieving enormous success during the 2020 season and banking two tournament wins during the offseason, the Shanghai Dragons will likely remain the “raid boss” of the East region. The team is obviously gunning for a championship and will be more motivated than ever after tasting success and defeat in the 2020 postseason.

Expect a heated rivalry with the Seoul Dynasty, who denied the Dragons’ dreams of a Grand Finals trophy match against the San Francisco Shock. Newly “upgraded” teams like the Guangzhou Charge may also be able to give Shanghai a challenge, but the Dragons’ devastating DPS line could even the score every time.

On April 17 at 4am CT, the Shanghai Dragons face off against the Guangzhou Charge to kick off the East region’s Overwatch League season.

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Source: https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/raid-boss-of-the-east-shanghai-dragons-2021-team-preview

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Esports

Excedrin partners with Nadeshot to battle gaming headaches

Published

2 hours ago

April 15, 2021

Republished by Plato

100 Thieves Founder Michael ‘Nadeshot’ Haag has partnered with Excedrin to educate gamers on how to prevent and treat headaches.

This is Excedrin’s first foray into esports. The partnership includes a six-step mindfulness routine designed to help reduce both physical and mental stress that can lead to painful symptoms.

Image credit: Michael ‘Nadeshot’ Haag (via Twitter) / Excedrin

In a release, Excedrin cited internal research that 71 per cent of gamers are concerned about headaches related to prolonged gaming, yet the majority of them play through the pain. Meanwhile, 92 per cent of gamers reported that they are spending more time gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposes them to more headache triggers.

The methodology for this research was not disclosed other than the fact that it was a nationwide survey. If the routine doesn’t work, the initiative recommends Excedrin Extra Strength pain reliever.

Speaking to Esports Insider, Michael ‘Nadeshot’ Haag, the Founder of 100 Thieves, said: “Headaches are not something widely discussed in the gaming world.

“Many of us just brush it off and avoid getting to the root of the issue finding ways to prevent themselves from getting future headaches. This sucks because headaches can really take you out of the game and negatively impact performance.”

Haag added that his partnership with Excedrin is important because gamers tend to ‘power through’ headaches and suffer needlessly while impeding performance. He now incorporates Excedrin’s six-step mindfulness routine into his everyday activities.

“Many people don’t realise it, but both physical and mental health are important components to being a successful gamer,” he said. “Practicing mindfulness is crucial because when we feel our best, our minds and reflexes are quicker, sharper and more focused, which helps us to play better. I’m really impressed with how Excedrin is taking the steps to help gamers embrace mindful gaming and think it’s something that should be brought up more in the gaming world.”

The former Call of Duty player added that he suffers from painful headaches if he is exposed to excessive stimulation and light.

“If the headache gets really bad, I may have to take a break for a few minutes to take something, like Excedrin, until the pain starts to go away,” said Haag. “That can be really frustrating at times because I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Rishi Mulgund, the Brand Director of Excedrin’s parent company GSK Consumer Healthcare told Esports Insider: “Connecting with gamers on a personal level is important to us as a brand.

“So much so that in addition to the [six-step mindfulness routine], we also evolved our creative content to be hyper-focused for gaming. We even developed a whole cast of characters we’re calling The Healing Academy.”

Mulgund added: “A partnership with Nadeshot felt so natural to us because he can speak authentically to both headaches and gaming and we know that having a mindful and healthy mentality is important to him and the entire team at 100 Thieves.”

Esports Insider says: Excedrin is the latest healthcare brand to step into the esports/gaming world — a trend that will likely continue as organisations take the healthcare of their players more seriously This partnership with Nadeshot could also open the door for additional sponsorship opportunities down the line. As a gamer who also suffers from ocular migraines, it’s nice to see brands try to solve a problem rather than simply cash in on the hype-filled esports market.

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Source: https://esportsinsider.com/2021/04/excedrin-nadeshot/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=excedrin-nadeshot

Esports

FlaSh going to army in 3 weeks

Published

3 hours ago

April 15, 2021

Republished by Plato

jinjin5000

Korea (South)942 Posts

https://bj.afreecatv.com/byflash/post/71182400

+ Show Spoiler +

이사 이제 끝냈어요

몸도 너무 안좋았구 인터넷 설치하구

내일이라도 방송 킬수 있도록 하겠습니다

시간이 3주정도 남았네요…

생각보다 방송키는게 늦어져서 이렇게 남겨요..

I have finished moving
my body condition wasn’t the best and installing internet took time
I should be able to stream tomorrow
I have around 3 weeks left///
I’m streaming later than I thought so I’m leaving this

NoS-Craig

Australia2830 Posts

Thanks for the translation Jinjin. Hope his military service goes well.

Dante08

Singapore3861 Posts

Oh dam, sad to see him leave but I guess it was only a matter of time. All the best and we’ll be waiting for your return!!!

FlaShFTW

United States9275 Posts

Really sad but he’ll be back one day. Good luck in military service Flash! o7

thedeadhaji

38994 Posts

hope the time off helps his wrists.

kogeT

Poland1786 Posts

Nooo! End of an Era. (even if for 1 year)

Dark days for terran incoming. 😉

superjoppe

Sweden3629 Posts

On April 15 2021 16:26 kogeT wrote:
Dark days for terran incoming. 😉

ZvZ finals incoming until he returns :O

Timebon3s

291 Posts

On April 15 2021 15:25 thedeadhaji wrote:
hope the time off helps his wrists.

Yeah this might be a good thing. Good luck to him and let’s hope his wrists recover.

thedeadhaji

38994 Posts

On April 15 2021 16:26 kogeT wrote:
Nooo! End of an Era. (even if for 1 year)

Dark days for terran incoming. 😉

Is it only 1 year? I’ve never heard of South Korean military service being that short. Is it a special circumstance in light of his surgery/injuries?

oxKnu

592 Posts

I think mandatory service is 1 yr and 6 months now.

BigFan

TLADT24635 Posts

I always thought he was exempt for some reason. Best of luck to him. Thanks for translating jinjin.

On April 15 2021 17:11 thedeadhaji wrote:

Show nested quote +

On April 15 2021 16:26 kogeT wrote:
Nooo! End of an Era. (even if for 1 year)

Dark days for terran incoming. 😉

Is it only 1 year? I’ve never heard of South Korean military service being that short. Is it a special circumstance in light of his surgery/injuries?

It was reduced to 1 year last year if I’m not mistaken.

Dante08

Singapore3861 Posts

On April 15 2021 17:58 oxKnu wrote:
I think mandatory service is 1 yr and 6 months now.

That’s actually quite short, it’ll go by in no time.

nojok

France5854 Posts

North Korea is so screwed.

Akio

Finland1538 Posts

So it’s finally time huh? Best of luck to him. Hopefully we see him return gloriously with Terran to beat the reigning Zergs (and maybe Protosses)

M3t4PhYzX

Poland1948 Posts

bye bye to FlaShuuu.. but a super short one, so it’s no biggie.

hope when he finishes his service, he’ll be able to play at least couple more tournaments

sneakyfox

7765 Posts

Dark days for Random incoming.

2021 is such a bloodbath though.

structuralinertia

Australia1424 Posts

If only proleague still existed – what a recruit he’d be for Airforce Ace

SamirDuran

Philippines800 Posts

so BaBy and FlaSh together in military huh?

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Source: https://tl.net/forum/brood-war/571955-flash-going-to-army-in-3-weeks

Esports

One stop shop; DPC 2021 Season2 guide

Published

3 hours ago

April 15, 2021

Republished by Plato

Dota 2 13/04/2021 13:38 Cristy “Pandoradota2” Ramadani

DPC 2021 Season 2 is now set in motion, bringing new teams to the upper-division leagues and a whole lot of dota games over the next six weeks.

DPC 2021 Season 1 brought pro circuit competitive games back to life and came to an end crowning Invictus Gaming the champions of the first Major (and LAN).

DPC 2021 Season 2 is now getting underway as teams jockey for more points, better positions, and a place at the last Major of the season and hopefully onward to TI10.

DPC 2021 Season 2

The DPC 2021 Season 2 kicks off with the upper-division league play on Tuesday, April 13.

Season 2 league dates: April 13-May 23
Major 2: June 2-13
Season 2 upper-division prize pool: $205,000 and 1150 Pro Circuit points
Season 2 lower-division prize pool: $75,000

Major Slots

At the end of the league, the top teams from each region’s upper division will qualify to the Major. For the first major, the distribution of the 18 slots will be as follows:

EU: Top 4
China: Top 4
SEA: Top 3
CIS: Top 3
NA: Top 2
SA: Top 2

Divisions:

The bottom two teams of the Upper Division in each Region will be relegated to the Lower Division, while the top two teams of the Lower Division will be promoted. The bottom two teams of the lower division will be eliminated from the league.

At the end of Season 1, the bottom two teams of the Upper Division in each Region were relegated to the Lower Division, while the top two teams of the Lower Division were promoted. The bottom two teams of the lower division were eliminated from the league and open qualifiers decided which are the two teams that will occupy those slots.

Upper-Division teams:

China

Invictus Gaming
PSG.LGD
EHOME
ViCi Gaming
Elephant
Team Aster
Sparkling Arrow Gaming
RNG

SEA

TNC Predator
Fnatic
T1
BOOM esports
Neon Esports
Execration
Lilgun
Omega Esports

Europe

Team Liquid
OG
Team Secret
Team Nigma
Alliance
Tundra Esports
hellbear smashers
Brame

CIS

Virtus.pro
Na’Vi
Team Spirit
Live to Win
EXTREMUM
Team Unique
PuckChamp
Winstrike Team

North America

Quincy Crew
Evil Geniuses
4Zoomers
Pentace
undying
Black N Yellow
The Cut
Simply TOOBASED

South America

SG Esports
Thunder Predator
Infamous
beastcoast
No-Ping esports
Team Unknown
Infinity Esports
Hokori

Lower Division teams:

China

Team MagMa
LBZS
Phoenix Gaming
Xtreme Gaming
CDEC Gaming
Dragon
Xtreme Gaming
Aster.Aries
Demon Slayer

SEA

496 Gaming
South Built Esports
Galaxy Racer
Omega Esports
Team Mystery
Army Geniuses
Cignal Ultra
Motivate.Trust Gaming
Team SMG

Europe

Vikin.gg
High Coast Esports
Hippomaniacs
No Bounty Hunters
Level Up
Creepwave
Team Bald Reborn
Ghost Frogs

CIS

Team Empire
No Techies
B8
HellRaisers
Prosti Esli
Fantastic Five
Trident Clan
Nemiga Gaming

North America

Wind and Rain
5 Man Midas
Team DogChamp
Felt
Electronic Boys
Arkosh Gaming
D2 Hustlers
Pecado Squad Gaming

South America

Incubus Club
Crewmates
Inverse
Gorillaz-Pride
Binomistas
EgoBoys
Latam Defenders

Schedule:

Overall, the new schedule is as follows (All times Pacific Time). Be sure to keep an eye on the match-ticker and our tournament page for specific matchups each week.

Upper Division

	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
12AM	China	SEA		China	SEA	China
3AM	China	SEA	SEA		SEA	China
6AM				CIS		CIS
9AM	Europe	Europe	CIS	CIS	Europe	CIS
12PM	Europe	SA	NA	SA	Europe	NA
3PM	NA	SA	NA	SA	SA	NA
6PM

Lower Division

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
12PM	China			SEA
3AM	SEA			CIS	CIS		CIS
6AM	CIS	Europe	Europe	CIS		Europe
9AM	Europe			SA	SA	SA
12PM	SA	NA	Europe	SA		NA
3PM	NA		NA			NA
6PM
9PM	China	SEA	SEA	China	SEA	China	China

Tournament Organizers

The six regional leagues will be operated by the following tournament organizers. More information on qualifiers, broadcasting, show, and talent information for each region will come from the respective organizer within the next few days.

Europe: Dreamhack
CIS: ESL
China: Perfect World
SEA: PGL
NA: BTS
SA: Dotapit

QuickPoll

Are you hyped for round 2?

Yes, of course
Thank you for voting!

Nah, I’m only interested in the Majors
Thank you for voting!

Cristy “Pandoradota2” Ramadani

Pandora is a behind the scenes Dota 2 professional Jack of All Trades. When not busy with Dota 2 work, she is out trying to save the world or baking cupcakes. Follow her on Twitter @pandoradota2

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Source: https://www.gosugamers.net/dota2/features/54223-one-stop-shop-dpc-2021-season2-guide

Esports

New Silvanus skin bundle adds unique looks for Vandal, Phantom

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2021

Republished by Plato

Fariha Bhatti • Apr 15, 06:03

Prepare your wallets! New Valorant skins are dropping soon.

Riot Games has actively been delivering rip-roaring skins for Valorant weapons, but this new addition is in a league of its own. The serene yet spooky skin bundle has a novel theme that was earlier spotted in Winter Wunderland, released in Christmas holiday patch.

The new skin bundle dubbed “Silvanus” will likely arrive before the upcoming map Breeze, currently being teased around Valorant’s existing locations. The bundle doesn’t exactly resonate with the map’s summer beach theme, instead hearkening to a haunted house.

New Bundle: Silvanus | #VALORANT pic.twitter.com/VaNAdmsX9e

— Valorant Leaks (@ValorLeaks) April 13, 2021

The bundle looks quite similar to Winter Wunderland, Nebula, and Horizon skin line that featured a glass-like exterior, reflecting scenic images. Silvanus has a mysterious forest vibe plastered on the body with bluish nighttime hues flowing like water on top of forest art. While most players favor extravagant skin designs like Glitchpop or Elderflame, these glassy skins are equally appreciated by fans of minimalist weapon cosmetics.

New Valorant skins have a spooky forest theme

The developer has recently launched the Magepunk and Infantry skin bundle, but players wanted cosmetics for primary rifles like Vandal and Phantom. The Silvanus skin line will likely be a more popular skin bundle as it features skins for two of the most-used weapons in the game.

Silvanus skins will be available for:

Vandal
Phantom
Sheriff
Operator
Stinger

Since Silvanus doesn’t feature a skin for a knife or a melee, it will likely be released in the Deluxe tier, which should be good news for players. The Deluxe skin collections are easier on the pockets as players can get them for $49 worth of Valorant points. The entire bundle should be available in-store for the standard price of 4,750 Valorant points, which means one skin should cost 1,275 VP. Like Winter Wunderland, the skins may not be upgradeable or have fancy skin variants and animation upgrades.

The skins will be available to buy for all Valorant players shortly after Magepunk rotates out.

What’s the most expensive skin bundle in Valorant?

Valorant has stacks of skin, and their prices depend on the class or tier they are released in. Elderflame was unveiled as the first Ultra-edition skin and had a high price tag of $95, which translates to 9,900 Valorant points. The pricy bundle is undoubtedly worth the money for the fierce, dragon-like exterior, unique animations, and a fiery melee weapon.

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Source: https://win.gg/news/7878/new-silvanus-skin-bundle-adds-unique-looks-for-vandal-phantom