Phase 3 Week 1
Dragons Team to Beat, Question Marks for Bolts, Scarabs
#1
Jade Dragons
After adding Scream, the Jade Dragons failed to drop a set en-route to winning Summer Masters—capping it off with an impressive 2-1 comeback over the 1st-seeded Kings. With the Dragons’ track record and pedigree—three world championships and numerous finals appearances among them—it’s hard to take their success as anything other than a triumphant return to dominance. Pandacat (6.6) and rookie Pegon (6.1) claimed the top KDA spots at Masters, with PolarBearMike (103) claiming top assists and Scream (41) taking second in kills. The Dragons are loaded with talent and are sure to be a tough out during Phase 3 and the SMITE World Championships.
#2
Camelot Kings
After dominating Phase 2, the Kings Narrowly lost a 5 game set to the Dragons in the finals of Summer Masters. The Kings dropped only two sets throughout all of Phase 2—a week 3 loss to the Leviathans, and a surprise week 6 upset against the Scarabs. Outside of those losses, the Kings dominated , winning 2-0 in all but two of their victories. In phase 2, Jungler CaptainTwig posted an impressive 131 kills to only 67 deaths. Of the regular starters, nobody in Phase 2 died fewer times than Netrioid (38) and BigManTingz (41). If teams continue to struggle to get to the Kings’ backline, the Kings are poised repeat as a top team in Phase 3.
#3
Tartarus Titans
Winners of the Phase 1 LAN, the Titans failed to repeat at Summer Masters. Their performance against the Warriors in the third place match left fans disappointed, but they showed out impressively against the Kings in the Semifinals. There is no doubt that this year’s iteration seems streakier than last year’s, who dominated for two phases, won two LANS, and finished runner-ups at SWC. These Titans have reached the same highs as a year ago, but without the same consistency. Throughout Phase 2, SoloOrTroll (90) led all Solo laners in kills, while Paul (44) was second among Mid laners in deaths. The Titans are sure to be in the mix to win it all, and a strong Phase 3 performance would inspire a lot of confidence heading into January.
EDIT: Regarding the Titans Jungle position, League Operations released a statement that Layers has been granted an exception and will be permitted to play from home for Phase 3.
#4
Atlantis Leviathans
The Leviathans’ disappointing season got a shot of intrigue when Jarcorrr was replaced with Haddix. Fans will be anxious to see Haddix’s performance with his new team, and the Leviathans hope his trademark confidence and strong play can propel them to the top of the standings once again. In Phase 2, Zapman (74) had the most deaths of any hunter, but after three consecutive seasons of finishing on top, betting against Zapman and his team in the late season feels like a tough ask. How Haddix performs with the new team remains to be seen, and the Leviathans project as a middle seed at best. A Zapman team entering worlds as a middle seed? I have seen this movie before.
#5
Olympus Bolts
The Bolts finished an impressive second place in Phase 2, but failed to advance past the first round of week 2 and subsequently lost Haddix to the Leviathans. His replacement, Baskin, brings with him a reputation of being one of SMITE’s top players, despite sporadic participation in the SPL or other competitive venues. The Bolts face a lot of questions about his performance and whether or not they will find success, but their regular season success cannot be ignored even with a change in solo.
#6
Oni Warriors
Warriors fans will no doubt be frustrated to see their team below two teams they defeated at Summer Masters, but those losses felt more like losses on the part of their opponents than wins on the part of the Warriors. The reality is that the Warriors have often struggled against top teams, and have shown little promise of consistently finishing in the top 4. Forever a wildcard at tournaments, and certainly with the talent to pull a surprise run at Worlds, the Warriors still look like a middle of the pack team.
#7
Valhalla Valkyries
The Valkyries surged at the end of Phase 2, and took the Titans to a full 3 games at Summer Masters. Fans of the team may feel simultaneously frustrated and elated with their placement at 7, as they have been a bottom team since joining the league but their is still room for growth as the roster continues to improve. The long break may have taken the wind out of their sails, however, and it would not be surprising to see a slow start for them for Phase 3. In any event, the Valkyries have time—and room—to grow heading into January.
#8
Solar Scarabs
After losing twice to SCC teams, there is nowhere to go but up for the Scarabs. Worlds Semifinalists a year ago, the Scarabs have routinely failed to recapture that brilliance outside of a week 6 upset of the Kings. The team has several new faces since their Worlds performance a season ago, replacing standouts SoloOrTroll and Scream with world champion veterans Sam4Soccer2, ScaryD, and Jarcorrr (who role swapped to support). The latter is a massive question mark as he role swaps from Solo lane, but he replaces the struggling Inbowned who led Phase 2 in deaths with 119.
