Activision’s Call of Duty League is finally here and things are starting with the CDL Kickoff Classic – a pre-season event where factor x players on all 12 teams can start making their mark.
With an exodus of 12 beginners as the CDL changes to a 4v4 format in Black Ops Cold War, individual play is key. Players have less support on the battlefield and, with a large amount of talent on the Challenger scene, more competition for their roles.
Representing Chicago, OpTic Gaming is back with Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez, Seth ‘Scump’ Abner and his gang. Delighting fans, Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag’s 100 Thieves are back in the competitive Los Angeles CoD. Teams have scrambled since the opening season and each team’s expectations will be tested by at least one player CDL Kickoff performance.
Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Atlanta FaZe)
The best AR in CoD?
Did the most stacked cast in CoD add the best AR in the league?
While Michael ‘MajorManiak’ Szymaniak was highly regarded by his teammates last season, few rank him at a level close to Arcitys. FaZe’s submachine gun and flexible play were never an issue, but adding Arcitys to the assault rifle could push them beyond the Dallas Empire in power rating.
If Arcitys continues, the more it improves its shape in 2020, Atlanta should be one of the first favorites. Tested by a strong Florida Mutineer squad, fans should do a quality temperature check on the newest member of FaZe.
Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter (Dallas empire)
Dallas launched the veteran AR right?
At 28, Crimsix needs to continue to refute his skeptics.
The transition from 5v5 to 4v4 was not without disgust and few divisions were as difficult as those of the Empire. Abandoning James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks instead of Crimsix was a difficult decision and, in the CDL Kickoff Classic, that decision will receive its first evaluation.
When the two veteran ARs clash, Crim will be with the same absurd trio of young scorers “Xeo” and Clayster with … a prominent sophomore and two previously designed bench players. It shouldn’t be a very difficult test for Dallas, but fans should be curious to see how much Crim’s thumbs have aged.
Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda (Los Angeles thieves)
Big Brand meets Big Ego
Temp says what to say, but he must walk through the next big brand of the CDL.
The tie for 5th place at CDL Champs was not enough to keep OpTic in Los Angeles, so Nadeshot managed to get into the league. Although the summons for the team’s Challengers, Zack ‘Drazah’ Jordan and Darien ‘Hollow’ Chervchko, played admirably in the postseason – the 100T replaced them in the starting lineup with one of the league’s most confident ARs.
The self-proclaimed top “gunnie” in the CDL, Temp has an unrelenting belief in his ability (alternatively, a “strong personality”, by general manager Eric ‘Muddawg’ Sanders) supported by a strong story of first line game, although troubled. Although his year with the New York Subliners was disappointing, Temp now brings together former teammates Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat and Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly. With the huge fan base of 100T and a confrontation with OpTic Chicago, the top scorer gets a great stage to prove that his game can live up to the occasion and his own expectations.
Preston ‘Priestahh’ Greiner (Minnesota ROKKR)
The Tiny Terror honorary?
From partnering with Tiny Terrors to a much larger role, Priestahh can make a statement in 2021.
FaZe was the second best team in 2020 and Priestahh would probably still be on the team if it weren’t for the switch to 4v4. Instead, one of the league’s most altruistic players can turn a new page with a completely renewed ROKKR team.
Beginning with Minnesota’s preseason fight against the Toronto Ultra, Priestahh must switch from flex to his more natural replacement role. Expectations for what was a miserable ROKKR team will depend on your ability to prove that you were being overshadowed in Atlanta and can make the transition from dirty work to killer.
Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New Yorkers)
No ZooMaa, No Hydra: Mack’s return
Candidate for the 2020 MVP, Mack needs to take another step so that NY can compete.
Easily one of the best newcomers in 2020, Mack jumped into the New York starting lineup and almost immediately entered the MVP conversation. The Subliners had a quality offseason after failing in the playoffs, but new problems mean that Mack will have to go further to start 2021.
With newcomer Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez dealing with visa issues and Tommy ‘ZooMaa’ Paparatto retiring due to injury, Mack is moving to SMG for an unfinished list. He’s back in his favorite role, but the season depends on his ability to reach the almost MVP form of 2020.
Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Chicago)
At the Chicago Bat Sign
Back with his boys, Chicago’s hopes depend on Dashy’s return to form.
Like Atlanta, Chicago shuffled the pieces after getting close to the championship in 2020. With Arcitys eager to join former teammates in FaZe, H3CZ celebrated the return of OpTic with the return of one of the brand’s former players.
But 2020 was an ugly year for Dashy and, in addition to some great moments as a bank player suddenly summoned to CDL Champs, issues surround the former elite AR. Expectations are high for the biggest brand in CoD, but will increase and decrease depending on Dashy’s game.
Peirce ‘Gunless’ Hillman (Seattle Surge)
It started from the bottom, now we Peirce
In just a few years, Gunless went from star to substitute and starting with a disadvantage.
Like Dashy, no one questions Gunless’s raw mechanical talent. Unfortunately, also like Dashy, the talented player spent most of a porous 2020 on the bench with rumors of concerns about the character.
Now, he joins two others as reinforcements for Sam ‘Octane’ Larew in the worst team of 2020: Seattle. If Surge is going to improve the 5-18 record that finished last at CDL Champs, Gunless will need to return to form on day 1 against Los Angeles Guerrillas.
While the Call of Duty League is filled with players with high expectations, low expectations and everything in between, these seven stand out as those with the most notable actions in the preseason. A variety of other newbies and transfer players can make statements during the Kickoff Classic, but power ratings and fan expectations should depend entirely on our listed x factors.