OWCS DreamHack Dallas Major Power Rankings & Predictions
The next step in Overwatch esports feels like it’s finally here as the OWCS arrives at DreamHack Dallas this weekend for its first major and first LAN event since its inception. With teams qualifying from all across the globe, here are our power rankings and predictions of how we think everything will shake out.
**#8: Twisted Minds**
Twisted Minds come in with some success under their belt in EMEA, taking down ENCE 4-1 in the Stage 1 Finals and putting together some other solid wins. However, more recently, this team has struggled. In their most recent match, they fell 1-3 to Team Peps in EMEA Stage 2, which resulted in a disappointing Lower Bracket finish. With a Quarterfinals match against Toronto Defiant first up, Twisted Minds may quickly find themselves in the Lower Bracket.
**#7: Students of the Game**
Speaking of the Toronto Defiant, Students of the Game are certainly going to be looking for revenge against them after back-to-back 0-3 defeats in Stage 2 of NA. Other than those blemishes and a disappointing Stage 1, Students of the Game are coming into Dallas with some relative momentum. Between that small spark and some formed OWL talent in the form of Huy “MirroR” Trịnh and Kyle “Rakattack” Rakauskas, Students of the Game have the potential to upset Spacestation in the first round. But, it may be unlikely.
**#6: ENCE**
ENCE is somewhat of a European super team coming into the OWCS DreamHack Dallas Major. With the likes of Petja “Masaa” Kantanen, Kevin “kevster” Persson, Kai “Kai” Collins, and some others leading this team, they certainly do not lack experience. If ENCE had won either stage of EMEA, they’d likely be higher up on this list. But, with a couple of second-place finishes in that region as their primary merit (and a matchup with Team Falcons in the first round) this team may struggle down south.
**#5: Spacestation Gaming**
Our highest-rated EMEA squad, Spacestation Gaming, has a lot to love despite the lower ranking. Daniel “FunnyAstro” Hathaway is a proven star, and the squad has looked solid in almost all of their regional matches. To boot, they also get Students of the Game in the first round. With a lot to love and only the quality of the competition keeping them down, we’ll have to wait and see if most of the former London Spitfire and head coach Christopher “ChrisTFer” Graham can lead this squad to EU glory.
**#4: M80**
It feels like M80 and the remaining teams are in a tier above the competition coming into the OWCS DreamHack Dallas Major. Each of these remaining teams has star power, experience, proven results, and so much more to love. For M80, all their missing is a Stage 1 or 2 championship in NA. But, with one of the world’s top DPS in Lee “Happy” Jeongwoo, a top-tier Tank in Xander “Hawk” Domecq, and former OWL Rookie of the Year Oh “Pelican” Se-hyun, M80 should be able to compete with most anyone. Their first-round match against Crazy Raccoon should be one to watch.
**#3: Toronto Defiant**
If M80 is defeated, NA’s hopes and dreams may rest on the shoulders of the Toronto Defiant, who have two regional championships under their belt coming into Dallas. This team is led by the former Florida Mayhem star Tank player and 2023 OWL MVP, Ham “SOMEONE” Jeong-wan, accompanied by the 2023 Grand Finals MVP, Choi “MER1T” Tae-min. Big-game success and star power? Check. This team should be able to contend with just about anyone from around the globe, and could easily take this tournament.
**#2: Team Falcons**
It’s hard to know where to start with this team. For starters, you have arguably the greatest Overwatch coach of all time in Park “Crusty” Dae-hee. Then, the roster. The headline is Kim “Proper” Dong-hyun, who is the first and only player in OWL history to win MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Role Star, all in one season. Not a bad start. Then there’s three-time Role Star Kwon “Fielder” Joon, World Cup champion Majed “SirMajed” Alrashied, and the best Tank duo in the world in Yoo “smurf” Myeong-hwan and Choi “Hanbin” Han-been. This team is absolutely stacked from top to bottom. Yet, even despite all of that, this team still lost to Crazy Raccoon twice (0-3 & 1-4) in the Asia regional playoffs. Hopefully, for Team Falcons, the third time’s a charm.
**#1: Crazy Raccoon**
With proven success in an extremely tough region and a Korean superstar roster led by a team of some of the best coaches out there. Crazy Raccoon is absolutely the team to beat at the OWCS DreamHack Dallas major. Kim “Shu” Jin-seo is arguably one of the best players in the world right now and Lee “LIP” Jae-won has come back into top form with this squad. All in all, it’s hard to make a case against Crazy Raccoon taking this event. But, will there be a Cinderella story that arises? Could NA or EU find their footing in this new era of OW2 esports? At the end of the day, we’ll just have to wait and see when all of the action kicks off starting tomorrow, May 31, in Dallas, TX. Esports.gg will be live on-site to provide coverage, so make sure you’re staying tuned in!
