The September tournaments are over, so it is time for another edition of the who's hot and who's not for October 2014. This is the second edition of this monthly feature after our September 2014 look. Find out who is most likely to do big things in October, and who is likely not to do so. Six new players make the list and one player returns. Of course, that makes seven individuals on this list, when it's supposed to be three and three. Something is different.
I've added a new section called The Middle, which brings attention to someone new (or relatively new) to the tournament scene. Someone that has performed, but didn't quite make the hot list, though certainly someone to keep an eye on going forward.
I've also added some additional mentions for players that almost made the three lists. They'll just be listed with no write-up. They could make their respective lists in the future, though.
The Hot Three
ANDREW "TIDESOFTIME" BIESSENER
Tides is currently ranked #1 in the world, just ahead of RDU. For good reason, he's shown exceptional consistency in the tournament format. While he has yet to qualify for Blizzcon, he's the odds-on favourite for the North American "Road to Blizzcon" qualifier having sweeped his way into the final sixteen out of a field of 128. If he does make it to Blizzcon, he and Kolento are likely going to be the two to beat.
ALEKSANDR "KOLENTO" MALSH
Kolento is well-known in the Hearthstone tournament and streaming community. Currently ranked #3 in the world, he's been on a tear through the tournament scene during September, capped off with his qualifying run at the European "Road to Blizzcon" qualifying tournament. He is definitely one of the favourites to place highly at the upcoming $250,000 tournament.
JAMES "GREENSHEEP" LUO
A relative unknown to the Hearthstone community, he did exceptionally well at the Euro "Road to Blizzcon" qualifier tournament, getting in as a replacement player. Strong decks and strong play characterized his run as he qualified for Blizzcon in November. I would consider him a darkhorse favourite going into the World Championships.
Honourable Mentions: Jan "ek0p" Palys, James "Firebat" Kostesich
The Middle
YEVHENII "NEIREA" SHUMILIN
Neirea finished second at VGVN 3 in mid-September. He then finished tied for third at Prismata Cup 2 a week later. People had high hopes for him at the European "Road to Blizzcon" qualifiers, but he was unfortunately knocked out early. While he doesn't make the hot list, he is definitely a player who will very likely continue to do well in upcoming tournaments and is someone to keep a close eye on.
Honourable Mention: Austin "SilentStorm" Li
The Not Three
ANDREW "KITKATZ" VARGAS
Kitkatz is a player that has contributed greatly to the Hearthstone meta, mostly with his Warrior builds. He's also a player that does remarkably well on the Heartstone ladder. Unfortunately, he's performed way under expectations in the tournament scene. Currently ranked #863 in the world, he's not likely to become a player that threatens wins, not with a 43% tournament win record.
ADRIAN "LIFECOACH" KOY
I would be surprised if we saw Lifecoach in any further tournaments. He's an immensely popular streamer and is quite competent on the Hearthstone ladder, but as much as his fans wish him competitive success, it is very doubtful that he'll ever make an impact on the tournament scene. Played well enough to make it to the European "Road the Blizzcon" qualifier, but washed out once he got there. Very little tournament experience and lack of a team to practice with were likely his undoing.
JASON "AMAZ" CHAN
The downward spiral continues for Amaz. Naxxramas has not been good, as poor deck building and misplays have characterized much of his play throughout September. He showed some flashes of his old form at the Hearthstats League Invitational, finishing tied for third place. Based on his inconsistent play, he's very likely to fall much further down the ranks before he stems the bleeding. I would be very surprised if he were ranked in the top twenty-five by the time 2015 rolled around.
The September tournaments are over, so it is time for another edition of the who's hot and who's not for October 2014. This is the second edition of this monthly feature after our September 2014 look. Find out who is most likely to do big things in October, and who is likely not to do so. Six new players make the list and one player returns. Of course, that makes seven individuals on this list, when it's supposed to be three and three. Something is different.
I've added a new section called The Middle, which brings attention to someone new (or relatively new) to the tournament scene. Someone that has performed, but didn't quite make the hot list, though certainly someone to keep an eye on going forward.
I've also added some additional mentions for players that almost made the three lists. They'll just be listed with no write-up. They could make their respective lists in the future, though.
The Hot Three
ANDREW "TIDESOFTIME" BIESSENER
Tides is currently ranked #1 in the world, just ahead of RDU. For good reason, he's shown exceptional consistency in the tournament format. While he has yet to qualify for Blizzcon, he's the odds-on favourite for the North American "Road to Blizzcon" qualifier having sweeped his way into the final sixteen out of a field of 128. If he does make it to Blizzcon, he and Kolento are likely going to be the two to beat.
ALEKSANDR "KOLENTO" MALSH
Kolento is well-known in the Hearthstone tournament and streaming community. Currently ranked #3 in the world, he's been on a tear through the tournament scene during September, capped off with his qualifying run at the European "Road to Blizzcon" qualifying tournament. He is definitely one of the favourites to place highly at the upcoming $250,000 tournament.
JAMES "GREENSHEEP" LUO
A relative unknown to the Hearthstone community, he did exceptionally well at the Euro "Road to Blizzcon" qualifier tournament, getting in as a replacement player. Strong decks and strong play characterized his run as he qualified for Blizzcon in November. I would consider him a darkhorse favourite going into the World Championships.
Honourable Mentions: Jan "ek0p" Palys, James "Firebat" Kostesich
The Middle
YEVHENII "NEIREA" SHUMILIN
Neirea finished second at VGVN 3 in mid-September. He then finished tied for third at Prismata Cup 2 a week later. People had high hopes for him at the European "Road to Blizzcon" qualifiers, but he was unfortunately knocked out early. While he doesn't make the hot list, he is definitely a player who will very likely continue to do well in upcoming tournaments and is someone to keep a close eye on.
Honourable Mention: Austin "SilentStorm" Li
The Not Three
ANDREW "KITKATZ" VARGAS
Kitkatz is a player that has contributed greatly to the Hearthstone meta, mostly with his Warrior builds. He's also a player that does remarkably well on the Heartstone ladder. Unfortunately, he's performed way under expectations in the tournament scene. Currently ranked #863 in the world, he's not likely to become a player that threatens wins, not with a 43% tournament win record.
ADRIAN "LIFECOACH" KOY
I would be surprised if we saw Lifecoach in any further tournaments. He's an immensely popular streamer and is quite competent on the Hearthstone ladder, but as much as his fans wish him competitive success, it is very doubtful that he'll ever make an impact on the tournament scene. Played well enough to make it to the European "Road the Blizzcon" qualifier, but washed out once he got there. Very little tournament experience and lack of a team to practice with were likely his undoing.
JASON "AMAZ" CHAN
The downward spiral continues for Amaz. Naxxramas has not been good, as poor deck building and misplays have characterized much of his play throughout September. He showed some flashes of his old form at the Hearthstats League Invitational, finishing tied for third place. Based on his inconsistent play, he's very likely to fall much further down the ranks before he stems the bleeding. I would be very surprised if he were ranked in the top twenty-five by the time 2015 rolled around.
Other Mention: Rumay "Hafu" Wang
(original article: http://hearthpoe.blogspot.ca/2014/09/hearthstone-tournament-scene-whos-hot.html)
Poetic.
I've moved your thread to Players and Team discussion.
Thanks. A new forum I was not aware of.
Poetic.