MY TOP 10 COMPETITIVE PROS + TOP 3 WASHED

Before I start my countdown, I want to establish some criteria. I am seeking to find the very best competitive pro in the game. Consequently this player will need to demonstrate skills across many different challenges. Some consideration will be given to ladder, but lets face it, that data is corrupt. People like Anaban perform well because of their ability to snipe and win trade, but do zero in other competitive aspects of the game. Medium consideration will be given to individual tournaments and the current NT Worlds. The most consideration will be given to CRL. This list is for the present, so ancient history will not carry much weight. As a guideline, I mostly looked at the last 8-10 months. So, lets get the ball rolling and the arguments started. 10) POMPEYO When he's not getting banned for illegal gems, Pomp is always a serious ladder threat and getting high finishes. We all know his deck, and you could make a case for him being a one-trick, but Pomp moved into CRL last season and began to show what he could do. Although he didn't set the world on fire, it was a significant learning experience for him. Most recently he had an outstanding Gamestry Cup and has been part of a successful 2v2 duo in NT Worlds. With this versatility, he is an asset to any team and a threat in any individual competition. 9) BOEUFMAC Charlie scrapes into my top 10 by the skin of his teeth. Had I compiled this list 6 months ago, he may well have been number one, but things haven't been falling into place of late for the popular Brit. He's still killing it on ladder, but on the competitive scene, he hasn't really made an impact lately. This culminated in a crap Gamestry Cup and some disappointing NT Worlds performances,, as the highly touted UK team made an early exit. He's here because he carried his NRG team to the playoffs in CRL West. It's time to lift, Boeuf. 8) LCIOP I have no idea how he goes on ladder because I can't read either of the main Chinese languages. What I do know is that whenever there is a competitive comp where LCIOP is involved, he's always amongst the last players standing. Many thought he was washed after WCG, but he helped get NOVA to the CRL world finals and he has been essential in helping China become one of the main threats in NT Worlds. I doubt there are many managers out there who wouldn't want him as part of their team. Experience and skill. 7) HIGHER I could easily make a case for this guy being in the top 5, but it's the lack of seeing him in 1v1 comps which prevents me from doing so. His numbers in CRL China last fall were insane, in both 1v1 and 2v2. He's currently part of an outstanding duo who have carried China into the semis of NT Worlds. Some people don't have big reputations, but more often than not, they win. 6) xOPxSAM The "Mad Scientist", as Rich Slaton likes to call him, is the classic team player. He can help develop new decks, form a brilliant 2v2, and win in 1v1. I genuinely believe Sam could have a team built around him, but as part of SK Gaming, he is overshadowed by the more illustrious names around him. The great thing is, it doesn't appear to bother him. He plays whichever role his manager asks of him. Absolute gold. 5) KANARIOOO If there was a Clash Royale dictionary, you would find Kanny used as the definition of "competitor". This guy loves competition, and he saves his very best for when it matters. There is no need for me to list off all his accolades over the last 10 months. The guy is one of the most important cogs in the very successful Liquid team. 4) SURGICAL GOBLIN The only reason he's ahead of Kanny is because of his win against Morten. Surge is your quintessential big game player. Some people might say that he has not done much recently, but that sums him up perfectly. SG is like a premier racehorse who has been sent for a spell in the paddock. He's enjoying his time off, eating lots of carrots and hay, and getting fat. However, when the time comes for the racing to begin, Surge gets himself into shape and becomes a comp beast. A CRL and WCG champion. 3) DIEGOB Completing the Team Liquid trifecta in my top 10 is Diego. Some might be surprised that I put him ahead of Kanny and Surge, but this boy is really starting to go places. He was just as vital as the other two in helping Liquid during the regular season, and also just as versatile. It is fair to say that he was down a bit in the finals, and subsequently overshadowed by Egor, but this just inspired Diego to git gud. With kanny hiding from coronavirus and Surge getting fat playing Fortnite, Diego has been outstanding for Mexico in the NT Worlds, and his reverse sweep and insane play against Venezuela is a must see. Like all my competitive greats, he has versatility. 2) THEGOD...RF This is going to surprise a lot of people, but it won't shock anybody privy to the inner workings of the artists formerly known as Immortals or the US team. Rf's record in CRL in both 2v2 and 1v1 was only okay last season, but the Gamestry Cup highlighted what he can do when at his very best. If you didn't see his game play on that last day against 6 of the very best, you won't know what I'm talking about. Add to that his form in NT Worlds and we are talking about one of the most current form players in the world. 1) MORTEN Remember our Clash Royale dictionary? Go look up "beast". Ladder god, 2v2 god, 1v1 god, there is nothing this guy can do and you would struggle to make a case for anybody being better than him as a competitive player right now. It is easy to see why too. After the disappointment of SK's loss, he simply started working and grinding even harder. I have only ever seen one chink in this guy's armour, and that was at the NT Worlds when he said that the disqualification of Faust tilted him. Good, coz it means he's not perfect. ************************************************************************************* There is a lot of talent around at the moment, and I gave strong consideration to the following players: Ruben, Lince, Jupiter King, Xbow Master, Wero, Luc Dubbs, Bag, Auk, TNT and xPedrox. What about Egor and Lapo, I hear you ask? I think Egor just had a lot of things fall his way in the CRL world finals. As the old saying goes, "One swallow doth not make a summer" - yeah, I ain't explaining that if you don't get it. Lapo has a tonne of potential, but when it mattered, he disappointed in 1v1s for Immortals. He was also the most predictable player in the game. These 2 ladder gods are just that at the moment, ladder gods, but they certainly might make the top 10 one day. ************************************************************************************** Now the real reason you are here: MY TOP 3 MOST WASHED PLAYERS IN THE GAME 3) Berin - I love this guy. He was one of the pioneers on the CR competitive scene, but lately he would go into a Bo5 against me as a slight underdog. 2) Lil' Chen - This CRL world champ is quickly disappearing off the radar. He was a shadow of his former self at the most recent CRL world championships and has long since been surpassed by other talent in China, so much so that he's been totally overlooked for a game in NT Worlds. It's slipping away. 1) Sergio Ramos - The only individual world champ. He struggled for SK last season. He has been struggling in individual comps, and most recently, he struggled for Mexico in NT Worlds. I predicted that Mexico would be eliminated if they played him. Their form improved dramatically after they dropped him. Then they played him again against China and lost. I can see it in his body language when he is playing. His confidence has been shot to pieces. I genuinely hope he can make it back, but the road is long for him.