If there was any week of Six Masters to catch, this is the one. From the first map to the final round, every game will be crucial for the playoffs race.
We’re almost at the halfway point of the Six Masters season, and the ladder is starting to shape up. Whether it’s to expectations or against them is a different story.
After this week’s action, a clearer picture should form. All of this week’s games will have a huge impact on the standings from top to bottom, and a serious title favourite could emerge depending on which way the cookie crumbles.
Our experts have put their heads together to break down what you should expect from this week’s action. If you need a recap on those bright minds, you can find them below:
- James “Devmarta” Stewart: Caster
- Michael “Guzz” Gurrie: Caster
- Brandon “Raven” Langiano: Caster
- Alex “Skye” McCallum: Observer
- Jess “Jess” Bolden: Analyst
While this piece will be an overview of our general predictions for the week, we will also have our own tips running alongside these. Be sure to check out Snowball Esports’ Twitter later today for the full rundown.
Pittsburgh Knights vs. Kanga
Prediction: Knights 2-0
Both the Knights and Kanga are bringing up the rear of the Six Masters ladder. While neither team has found themselves on the winning end in Weeks 1 and 2, this series bodes well for both of them turning their fortunes around.
Kanga looked disheartened being belted by Elevate 7-3, 7-2 in last week’s action. It was a far cry from the performance they put up in Week 1 against TBD, however, there’s some glimpses of hope for the winless squad. “Lebb” and “Campo” have shown they can shine for this roster, and all it would take is for a couple of rounds to go their way for the tides to shift.
However, the equation is a lot easier for the Pittsburgh Knights. Although their one map win against Ferox doesn’t incite confidence on face value, their games have been a lot closer. Sure, they were blown out against SiNister on Coastline last week, but their 15 round thriller on Clubhouse — while heartbreaking — showed immense promise.
At the end of the day, it comes down to who will have to work harder for the win. Even though they both sit at the bottom, the Knights look one step ahead, and should take this series in a sweep.
TBD vs. Ferox
Prediction: 1-1 draw
Week 1 was the week of LFO. While you could argue Week 2 was SiNister’s, I’d like to commend Ferox. They took Wildcard to 12 rounds on Clubhouse, before Consulate came down to a 1v1 on round 15. Both maps were losses, but they were close.
This is good news heading into their series against TBD this week. The ex-Mindfreak squad have looked shaky in both of their matchups against Kanga and LFO. If I was to be a bit cynical, one can only imagine how Kafe turns out if it wasn’t for the defuse bug.
However, there’s no discounting the class that lays on that TBD roster. JackDaddy, Cutie, and ItBe have all proved their mettle across multiple seasons of Pro League. As for Ferox, they have to rely on Todd and Warden at times to make it through.
It’ll be a close series. In fact, it’ll be so close that our experts believe the points will be split down the middle. However, it has the potential to fall either way, and one team will definitely be licking their wounds come Week 7 if that’s the case.
Wildcard vs. LFO
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Wildcard stands in LFO’s way as their third David-and-Goliath-esque battle of the Six Masters season in the first three weeks. Honestly, it’s like they rolled a D20 for one when the schedule was doled out.
Wildcard are on a hot run of form in Six Masters. They haven’t dropped a map, and while they were close to losing one against Ferox, experience prevailed. One would hope Ethan got some chiro work done this week after a backbreaking 39 kills last week.
LFO’s form isn’t anything to scoff at either. While only breaking even with a 2-2 record, most discounted this Open Qualifier team as cellar dwellers heading into the season. However, they’ve kept the gas on against some of the top teams, playing their own style of Siege, and it seems to be working for them.
Is this where Wildcard’s run ends? According to our experts, yes. While Wildcard most certainly could take the chocolates on the day, if LFO grab a map off of them, we could be seeing a royal road into the top four for the Open Qualifier team.
Elevate vs. SiNister
Prediction: Draw 1-1
Elevate and SiNister is also a battle that could have serious impacts on how the top four shapes up come June. Elevate rebounded after a surprise Week 1 draw to demolish Kanga in Week 2. SiNister also managed to turn their fortunes around with a tight 2-0 win against the Knights.
On paper, these two rosters are pretty neck-and-neck. Dgtl and GodLgn were putting in work for Elevate against Kanga, but the same could be said for Fishoguy and Milostka last week.
For me, this matchup really depends on one player — Derpeh. After a disappointing first week, he has started showing a bit more of the play that took him to Montreal with Wildcard in February. If he can take it to the next level against Elevate, SiNister can leave them in the dust.
“My expectation is 100% making top 4 to qualify for the knockouts.”
Derpeh, SiNister
However, Elevate still remains the top seed of Six Masters. Their Pro League performances a couple of months ago can’t be discounted, and while all fingers point towards the points being split, it wouldn’t be surprising for them to convert another sweep.
Six Masters returns for Week 3 on Tuesday, May 12, at 7pm AEST with Knights vs Kanga. You can catch the action on the official Rainbow Six channel.
Be sure to follow Snowball Esports on Twitter for all your Six Masters content throughout the season, including tips, analysis, and interviews.
