That is such a ridiculous group, jesus christ.

I fell sorry for Dandaking.

i feel sorry for czm

I feel sorry for stermy.

Cooller, cypher and rapha in the group? Lawl.

This is so retarded , both IEM euro and IEM usa winner in the same group? come on ....

Fuck that's competitive. Even group A, there's still four people you'd expect to do something.

A really doesn't compare to B though :/

They both have 4 players that could realistically get top 3 (perhaps pushing it for DaHang and Spart1e depending on form).

Cooller+Cypher+Rapha > Avek+Strenx+Killsen

(Sorry Dahang and Spartie :P)

both groups are sick tbh

Haha both the cs and ql b group are sick.
Czm won't even win a map :x

If those are right, nice work ESL :/

http://www.esl-world.net/masters/season5/hanover/

group a is so sick
but tbh every single will be sick :)

Prediction:

Cooller beats Rapha. Rapha beats Cypher. Cypher beats Cooller. Universe explodes.

wasnt the groups pretty much the same in kiev? :/

Yeah crazy group B, on paper it looks so much stronger but if you think for a minute, it's actually not THAT far from being even. I mean look at CS groups, those are HILARIOUS (group B) compared to Quake groups :D

what format in the group stages? Bo3? If so, I am pleased, sick games right off the bat that we might not see otherwise!

Should be:

Group A
Strenx - vgood aimer
DaHang -vgood brainer
Cypher - vgood
fazz - fodder
dandaking - super fodder
k1llsen - vgood aimer

Group B
Cooller - vgood brainer
Rapha - vgood brainer
CZM - fodder :(
Av3k - vgood
spart1e - vgood
vo0 - fodder

Group A = Winner is the best aimer (strenx/cypher/k1llsen wildcard: Dahang)
Group B = Winner is the best brainer (rapha/cooller/av3k/
wildcard: spart1e)

playoffs = brain vs aim

Surely you have a complex vision about the very best Quake players in the world ;-]

aiming =/= combat skills.

combat skills =

1. Cypher
2. K1llsen (when hitting)
3. Strenx
4. Av3k
5. Spart1e
6. Cooller
7. Rapha
8. Dahang
9. Fazz
10. vo0
11. CZM (rusted)
12. DanDaking

Brain tactics
1. Rapha
2. Cooller
3. Cypher
4. Strenx
5. Av3k
6. Dahang
7. Spart1e
8. k1llsen
9. CZM
10. vo0
11. Fazz
12. Dandaking

I disagree but don't have power to write a wall of text so to make it short.

Rapha has excellent combat skills, one of the best but his aim is not as good as others most of the time, he's still up there. Av3k wins his games precisely because of his tactics/brain and control, I would put him only slightly below rapha in that regard, and his combat skills aren't THAT great. Av3k is huge brainer, if you don't see this, you are simply blind :-]

Oh and k1llsen 2nd in combat skills? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. He's ONLY RG/LG, his overall combat skills are nothing special.

combat skills to me is not positional advantage, its about being surprised and fighting back or hitting sick shit that should not hit.

Rapha = positional genius (brain tactics) and does good damage without getting hit same with cooller and such

Everybody knows that rapha depends so much on his position but his combat skills are superb regardless and people seem to not see it. I mean it's not always that rapha has superior position over his opponent coz going into fights its often on the same ground for both players and he still puts GREAT fight; sometimes he gets surprised and still he does pretty damn good because of his great combat skills.

He has always plan b = an exit plan when things goes not in his favour. Not always works for him but still he's doing so good. Yes, he always tries to find/use his position to his advantage but it's not like he's completely lost when he's without it.

Combat skills = aiming + dodging + weapon choice + using map architecture + movement + knowing when to be aggressive (+f) and when not to be aggressive (+b) (c) Cooller.

We have to agree to disagree. Remember quakecon cypher vs cooller on ztn. Cooller surprises cypher near shotgun on bloodrun in that tiny staircase going to RL and cypher pulls out 45% lg vs coollers up close rockets and kills him.

THAT is combat skill. Being surprised with the wrong gun out at the wrong damn position vs someone with same stack and ability and being able to own him.

Another example is strenx vs cypher on t7 where cypher juggles the shit out of him at RA with like 5 flick rockets. Or when cypher takes down stermy with 100% plasma to retake the map (also t7)

That is combat skill.

Avek only 5 in the brainer list ? come on ...His tactic is at least equal to cooller

it's jamalz ...

DaHang -vgood brainer
Av3k - vgood

brain tactics:
5. Av3k
6. Dahang

vgood (without brain/aim next to them) means their brain game/aim game are not the defining characteristics of their play style. cypher/av3k/spart1e are here.

Av3k/cypher brain game AND aim game are better than dahang

ah ok, in that case I agree, kinda.
Dahang's style is a bit different so that two-dimensional comparison doesn't really work for me.

dandaking top 8 qcon = not fodder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQvOBVIukk

What does this have to do with his Quake skills though :(

Anyway, maybe he'll be the underrated guy who manages to beat some of the best and reach the finals!

Not that I believe he will (I don't think he has much experience playing euros and yanks) but gl to him.

I hear he has a pretty strict training regime, reinforced with a healthy diet of oats!

This might be interesting although the groups do seem kind of silly.

Let's just hope that the "fodder" somehow manages to surprise us.

doesnt matter what the bloody groups are!

COOLLER WILL WIN!!!!!11

POLOS IS RULEZZ

how many go through and how do these groups get drawn?

so grand final:

strenx vs cooller/rapha

group B is kinda ridiculous yeah, still there are just alot of players who shown us the potential to become top3 for sure so it's hard to make 'fair' groups.

strenx and k1llsen are the one's (of the 'newer' one's, imo) who have shown to be able to beat anyone. Thus making groups is definetly harder as now there isn't just 2 players whom are expected to be able to reach the final like last year.

correct me if i'm wrong. (<- seriously)

the final positions of the group stage decide so much in this system and they very difficult to predict in both groups, so I think it's almost impossible to say who we'll see in the finals.

yep, true :p was just sharing my thoughts here, hence the correct line.

strenx or avek wins group A

rapha wins group B

rapha>avek and strenx

rapha wins again

gg

THX FOR SPOILER MAN

YOURE WELCOME