Contenders season 1 started this weekend. Season 0 ended a month and a half ago with Immortals winning it all, however, the two top North American teams, Rogue and Envyus, did not compete in season 0 as they were in Korea playing in the Apex series at that time. Now in season 1 all the top teams are here to fight for the championships. The prize pool this season is double what it was for session 0 topping out at $100,000. It's going to be a tough ride for Immortals now having to play against these teams this season and to start it off they are playing Envyus in this first round. Let's get into it!
Game 1 0-0
Round 1 0-0
Control map - Oasis City Center
Immortals running standard dive comp with Tracer and Genji while Envyus has a dive based comp with McCree and Doomfist. Envyus takes control early not allowing immortals to take it back until 80%. Envyus looking pretty confident. Immortals hold control until 94% then get overpowered by Envyus in the end losing control and losing the round.
Round 2 1-0 Envyus
Oasis - University
Once again Envyus gaining control first. Immortals comes right back with a very effective Dragon Blade from Agilities on Genji helping Immortals get the team kill and gaining control. Immortals holds control until 54% but Effect on Doomfist along with the rest of Envyus is too strong for Immortals and they just can't maintain control. Envyus wins round 2 giving them the win for game 1.
Game 2 1-0 Envyus
Hybrid map - Numbani
Immortals on offence
Envyus on defence
Envyus running Sombra and Doomfist while Immortals is running a standard dive with Grimreality on Soldier76. The Sombra hacked health packs prove to be detrimental for Immortals. When they can't heal they just can't stay alive. Immortals almost gets full held but with just seconds left in the clock immortals is finally able to capture first point putting them on the payload. Surprising after the solid defence from Envyus on first point Immortals is able to move the payload quickly through second point with Grimreality switching to Tracer playing very strong. Immortals pushed payload just inches away from final point when time expires.
Switching sides now both teams running the exact same dive comp with Tracer and Soldier76. Envyus playing very aggressive, confidently capturing first point instantly now pushing the payload. Effect from Envyus switches to Doomfist punching immortals players in the face regularly as they move the payload right into Immortals defence. Immortals trying to stall Envyus but they are just to coordinated. Envyus able to push the payload past Immortals giving them the map win.
Game 3 2-0 Envyus
Assault map - Volskaya Industries
Immortals on offence
Envyus on defence
Envyus running defensive Sombra. Immortals also running Sombra but I have never been a big fan of offensive Sombra on Volskaya. Immortals struggling while Envyus remains very composed. Immortals not even able to capture first point Envyus get the full hold on Immortals.
Switching sides Immortals running defensive Sombra while Envyus is going with a standard dive comp. Envyus not running an offensive Sombra end up capturing first point almost instantly winning the map.
Game 4 3-0 Envyus
Payload map - Watchpoint Gibraltar
Immortals on offence
Envyus on defence
Immortals running a standard dive with Tracer and Gengi while Envyus is running a dive comp with a Sombra. Immortals getting the kills they need to cap first point moving into the hanger phase. Immortals looking to have composed themselves unfortunately it might be too little too late. They move right through second phase into third phase. Envyus putting it together stopping immortals just before capturing the final point.
Switching sides now Envyus has a long haul to pull out the sweep against Immortals but if they keep playing like they have been then it should be no problem. Envyus starting with Taimou on Widowmaker looking to get a pick or two. Coming out strong Taimou on widow gets plenty of kills to help Envyus push to second point instantly. Staying on Widowmaker Taimou and Envyus push right through second phase into third. I'm not sure what happened to the immortals I am used to covering, Envyus pushed right past Immortals getting the win for the match sweeping immortals 4-0.
I have to admit...especially after seeing immortals give Rouge a run for their money in the Beat inventational a month ago, I did not expect such a lopsided game! Immortals looked so unorganized and not ready to defend against Doomfist. Immortals also looked weak against the Sombra and had trouble keeping Kariv alive. This is just the first game of the tournament so there is time to recover for Immortals but they better figure it out quickly or they will not be around for much longer this season.
I'll be back next week with more Immortals coverage in this highly competitive Contenders season 1.
