Gearing Up For OWLeague Stage 2: What We Can Expect

By TJ Denzer · February 22, 2018 at 7:10 AM UTC

Overwatch League Stage 2 starts today, and we're ready for it here at Twin Galaxies. As the games prepare to go underway, here's a breakdown of what we expect to see going into the competition.

Gearing Up For OWLeague Stage 2: What We Can Expect

Overwatch League Stage 1 was a rollercoaster of thrills, triumphs, controversy, and tragedy among all teams that left London Spitfire sitting at the top of the heap in a heck of a final series. OWLeague Stage 2 starts today and aims to keep the momentum going. As the first round of games kick off, some teams are defending their honorable places while others aim to forget a rough first leg and make a difference this time around. That comes alongside a very public sharing of rules and regulations for the competition, some anticipated and some surprising roster changes, and balance changes that will shake up team hero composition. Here’s what to watch for as Overwatch League Stage 2 kicks off.

Champions On Guard And The Rise Of The Defeated

The London Spitfire put up comeback after comeback to arrive from behind as the champions of Stage 1. Can they keep the crown against all other hungry competitors in Stage 2? [Source: Robert Paul/Blizzard Entertainment]

Almost everyone has something to prove coming into Stage 2 of the League, but some have more on the line than others. The Shanghai Dragons are coming back from an abysmal Stage 1, having missed out on scoring even a single win in the competition. Florida Mayhem and Dallas Fuel likewise have a task ahead of them in blowing up last season and setting up for a better showing. On the flipside, everyone will have Stage 1 champions London Spitfire in their sights. Teams like Houston Outlaws, New York Excelsior, and more who came so close, missing out on only a couple key victories have to be chomping at the bit to push their way into the top spot in both divisions and the grand scheme. Eyes in particular will be on Seoul Dynasty and Los Angeles Valiant as they kick off the action – Two teams that started Stage 1 off with earth shaking dominance, only to get edged out in the end. Seoul has a mission of vengeance to take out on the Valiant. It will be interesting to see if Seoul can turn the tide or if Week 5 of Stage 1 will repeat itself with LA coming out on top.

Roster Shake-Ups & Tremendous Team Acquisitions

From the champion team of London Spitfire, Fissure brings some tank pressure to the LA Gladiatorsroster. Will it make the difference the Gladiators need? — From the champion team of London Spitfire, Fissure brings some tank pressure to the LA Gladiators roster. Will it make the difference the Gladiators need? [Source: LA Gladiators]

Just as important as the attitudes of win and loss coming into Stage 2 are the plays that teams made to shake up their game and keep everyone else on guard. Shanghai had the heftiest overhaul with a slew of new acquisitions including Kim "Geguri" Se-yeon, Lee “Fearless” Eui Seok, and Cheon "Ado" Ki-Hyun. Not only is Geguri the first female player to be signed to the Overwatch League. She is also a Zarya player with few equals and she and Fearless bring a tank element that Shanghai has been missing. They’re not the only ones making moves either. The LA Gladiators managed to pull Chan-hyung “Fissure” Baek from the successful London Spitfire, adding a great tank player to their already formidable ranks. Meanwhile, a partnership between Boston Uprising and Toronto Esports has opened the gate for a slew of possibilities in the Boston support and player network. It will be interesting to see what these and other teams manage to do with the shifts among rosters and whether or not any crew will substantially differ from their showing in Stage 1.

We All Know The Rules

Félix "xQc" Lengyel made himself the unfortunate poster child of what happens when you cross the line in OWLeague. Will this dedication to keeping the arena sportsmanlike keep the OWLeague players in line? [Source: Blizzard Entertainment]

Certainly we’re all watching people play a game, but the Overwatch League administration has already shown the full extent to which it will go to protect the League from cheating and toxic elements. Félix "xQc" Lengyel found out the hard way that behavior embarrassing a team or the league won’t be tolerated as he sat on the sidelines during much of Stage 1 following a suspension for derogatory comments made towards Houston Outlaws player Austin “Muma” Wilmot and further suspension for actions following. Soon after, the powers that be in the Overwatch League made public the rules and guidelines they expect their players to follow. With the whole kit and caboodle out in the public eye now (as well as xQc being back in active play), it’s good to know that Overwatch League is dedicated to towing the line on sportsmanship. Will any players test their boundaries or lose their cool in the high intensity moments that come of these competitions? Only time will tell, but at this point, everybody knows that the folks that can dismantle such conduct are watching with eagle eyes inside and outside of matches.

With these things in mind, we look forward to a fresh set of matches and a grand new showcase of competition. If Stage 1 was any indication, the show is just starting, and we’re all in for a cavalcade of top notch skill. If you forgot, check out this ace play from the Stage 1 Finals when New York Excelsior’s Do-hyeon "Pine" Kim helped sweep the London Spitfire in an amazing flank.