Syllabear's Ladle 36 predictions

[syllabear]

OK, I'll work down the brackets, and then along the rounds, so here goes (note this is only what I think will happen, and may be subject to the bias that I don't know how well teams are going to play/who will even play for what teams):

Opening Round
Wild West vs Death by Distraction
A late entry to the ladle, and a relatively new-commer to the fortress style of play (despite members who have played for a fair while), dbd doesn't really stand much of a chance against the quite highly favored Ww team.

However, past ladle's which have put high hopes in this side have often been dashed. Despite this, I think that Ww just has too much experience and skill over the dbd side, who may not even manage to field a full team.

Result: Ww 2 - dbd 0

SPD vs Inglorious Bastards
This will probably be one of the more interesting games of the tournament in my opinion, depending on how well SPD play, and how well IB get along together. On one hand we have a mix of speeders, some of whom are not neccessarily renowned for their fort abilities, however have proved themselves competent in recent forays in G5's server, as well as pickups (for example Oblivion), as well as a few strong forting speeders, like Psy and orion.

On the other, there's the team that many have said will go onto win this ladle, with some of today's most interesting, if not best forters in there, however they may lack some of the teamwork of the SPD team, not to mention going in with alot of confidence in their ability. Perhaps too much?

No matter, I think that sheer skill will win out in this one, with IB boasting strong offensive and defensive players, while SPD may have to compromise attack in order to preserve their zone more, and hence losing alot of potential points.

Result: IB 2 - SPD 0

Dark Syndicate vs Open Team
This match is one that could swing either way, completely depending on the players that show up for each team, especially open team. There are many very good clanless players out there who haven't signed up for a team (to my knowledge), and could potentially play for open team, and shift their chances of winning significantly.

On the other side, DS could largely be depending on how slash performs, as he has shown he can be very good, or just above average, even on the same day. If DS works together, and all or most of them are on their game, they should probably be secured the win, even if OT does manage to pull in a few bigger names. Otherwise, I think despite cody's leadership and experience, Open Team will fall to it's usual lack of coordination and determination to win, and give DS a nice opening warmup.

On a guess, I don't think there will be enough interest in the OT by players for them to put together a squad with enough skill to match DS's coordination.

Result: DS 2 - OT 0

Vecolity vs Plus+
As I have no idea who is actually playing for Vecolity: some have hinted its Zirka, but I have doubts they have enough players to put together a team, I'll mainly focus on Plus+. This team has recenty been revived by Liz, and attracted a fair few skilled players in a short while. Despite worries they may not have a full team (Cronix joining on a tempoary basis to calm those worries), I think they should have little trouble beating this phantom team which has caused so much controversy.

Result: ++ 2 - Vecolity 0

Immortal Dynasty vs Twixted Xats
This match is probably not going to show many surprises. Although ID should be fielding a pretty standard team, with good coordination from their Vent servers, Tx proved last ladle they are really not pushovers, and are still serious contenders for ladle glory. Probably a mixture of nerves and late-game faults will get to ID, and they will crumble against Tx's strong attack.

Result: Tx 2 - ID 0

Tronners Unlimited vs Unknown
This match of course holds special interest to me, but I'll try and refrain from putting any bias in it...

Of course Unknown is probably the better known of these two teams (ironically), and have proved their desire to win is matched by skill, both in and outside of ladle. Despite the fact Mkay has said he'll be missing this match, UNK still have a strong set of players, as well as alot of experience.

On the other side of the field, Tu is a new clan, and most of it's members haven't even played in a ladle before, despite their recent efforts to get on the grid and practice alot more recently.

I think that UNK's underestimation (Mkay specifically missing this match because he want's to conserve his online time for "the Tx match") might be one of the few things going for Tu, but it almost definately won't be enough. They might be able to pull one cheeky match back, but that might just be my bias.

Result: UNK 2 - Tu 1 (or, more probably, 0)

tseW dliW vs Crazy Tronners
Although their name isn't the same, sources say the majority of the tseW dliW (I'll just call them TD) team is made up of those from the old clan Vcl, a fairly solid bunch of forters. However, I don't think a 'fairly solid' bunch will be enough to contend with another of the tournament's favourites, CT.

Fresh off their defeats at the previous two ladles semi-finals to arguably what this tournament is the equivalant Inglorious Bastard, and with a chance to meet them in the finals this time around, CT is more determined than ever to do well. With a pretty standard lineup, including woned and dreadlord, this should be no more than a warmup game for them, with the server being in EU only icing on the cake.

Result: CT 2 - TD 0

PlzResUs vs Speeders
Despite alot of flack that PRU frequently receive for being fortress 'noobs', in my opinion, they have come a long way in terms of skill, teamwork and new members to fill gaps in their performance. With many players to chose from, this team has probably performed the most pre-ladle practice matches out of any other clan or team. Maybe even more than any other two put together.

On the other side, we have a Speeders team led by flex, and probably carrying more of their serious fort members. And just like pru have been playing alot of matches recently, speeders have been practicing just as hard, with some pointing out they had never seen so many speeders online at once on many occassions.

I think that speeder's experience and higher skill levels will mean they should clinch the match, but don't be surprised if PRU makes it a closer one than speeders would like.

Result: Speeders 2 - PRU 1

Quarter Finals OK so if you are still with me, the matchup for the quarters are Ww-IB, DS-Plus+, Tx-UNK and CT-Speeders.

Wild West vs Inglorious Bastards
Out of all the matches played so far, I think this one might be the most interesting, if Ww are playing to their best.

Honestly, at the time of writing this, I am finding it difficult to pick a winner. Although on paper, IB looks to be the better team, I just have a feeling, that Ww might just pull something out of a bag, with better coordination from having played together - they are the clan most like a family in all of tron - despite the obviously higher skill levels of their opponants.

No matter, I think this will definately be one to watch (but again, only if Ww are playing on their game. Otherwise, it might be a massacre).

Result: IB 2 - Ww 1

Dark Syndicate vs Plus+
Having just got a moral booster from a possibly well fought victory over Open Team, DS will be in high spirits against a relatively untested Plus+ team. Sure their players are good, but will they work as a team? Thats a question I feel will be answered in this match. They do have some fantastic players skillwise: Liz, saibot and radian are great examples from my personal experience, probably performing better than most of the DS crew. Although I have seen many of them play well too, including cruz, 3B and milan, not to mention if slash is on-game.

I feel that we have another interesting quarter-final matchup, again worth watching, probably just as close, but on a lesser skill level than the previous one I talked about.

I feel this might all come down to how certain players in each team are doing on the day: slash for DS and liz for plus+. If one is playing well and the other not, then it could mean the match for the better player's team. But since Plus+ is just so new, coupled with a slight server edge to the predominantly German team in a German server, I am going to have to say DS has just the edge

Result: DS 2 - Plus+ 1

Twixted Xats vs Unknown
UNK were given an easy start in this competition, and have very many skilled players (Mkay should be joining them at this point). But I feel that so many of Tx's players are just really on form at the moment, and if both teams bring their best lineups, TX's will just have that coordination and skill edge, as well as more determination in some of their players.

If UNK do make a few lucky moves, Tx could lose their momentum, as well as a few of their heads, and could cost them the match.

Another factor is if one side fails to bring all their players (which has been a problem for these teams in the past), this could change the very dynamic of the match. Although Tx managed to get through a few rounds with just 3 players last ladle (this is of course an exaggeration, I am sure both teams will field 6 players, just maybe not the ones they want), UNK won't be so easy to beat as dbd or OT if Tx do indeed have lineup problems

Result: Tx 2 - UNK 0

Crazy Tronners vs Speeders
If there was ever a true rivalry in the ladle, it would be between these two clans.

This is an interesting matchup, because although it *should* be a strong Speeders lineup, they have split their clan and submitted two teams, while CT has stuck with just one team (despite claims they might have been able to field two). And at the end of the day, this might just be Speeder's downfall. If one or two of their members experience any kind of difficulty, this could spell the end of the run for them, while CT can simply reach into their massive ranks and mix in a few of their other players.

This is another tough one, but I think that CT's urge to meet IB in the finals will probably pull them through. I don't think the server will have a huge impact on play either, since both teams will probably have a mix of players.

Result: CT 2 - Speeders 0

Semi Finals Well if you are STILL here, I congratulate you for your persistance. Matchups: IB-DS and Tx-CT

Inglorious Bastards vs Dark Syndicate
Unlike ladle 34 where there was a nice division of teams by skill, DS are now up against IB, highly favoured to win the competition. I think their luck has run out, and even if they are all on game, coordinating with each other and in a nice EU server, IB just has a huge balance of offence and defence that is hard to match.

Result: IB 2 - DS 0

Crazy Tronners vs Twixted Xats
If there was another rivarly between clans, it would probably be here. Although playing 'at home' in one of their own servers, CT fields a mainly EU team, while Tx will probably have a few more USA players, giving ping advantage to them. Skillwise these teams are pretty close, and if all are on game, its going to be a darn close one. This is the semi to watch in my opinion, and maybe even match of the day.

If woned can work his magic, and CT's defence can hold strong (probably their weaker aspect, but it's still very strong), they can pull out a victory despite the ping disadvantage.

I really don't want to say who'll win this, but I just have an inkling that CT will pull off something.

Result: CT 2 - Tx 1

FINALS OK you might have just skipped down to me, or not. Either way, my bet on the final is IB vs CT.

And guess what, I'm not going to write much for this one. All I will say is by now, if IB have all their players, they probably have started playing as a team. Meanwhile, CT will be nice and practiced, and although people don't really look into this much, I think if you finish your match early and spend 20 minutes waiting for the next one, as IB will probably do vs DS, they'll be less pumped with adrenaline than CT, fresh from Tx. This will most likely give them the lead 1-0 in my opinion.

Can IB come from behind to ensure 4 straight wins for teams of individuals comming together? Or will CT, Tx or Speeders, whoever meets them there, manage to reclaim the title for their respective clans?

[Word]

On the other side of the field, Tu is a new clan, and most of it's members haven't even played in a ladle before, despite their recent efforts to get on the grid and practice alot more recently.

to be honest i trust you to beat unk if you play in an US server - you did the same with us.

[syllabear]

Well, I have my internet back, but we just lost a few players, and with modis and Dal not playing, we have to field a weaker team than we want...

[Tremor]

I think you underestimate ID. Durka is usually one to show up during the quarter finals and miss the Opening. But i do believe you are right in saying that TX isn't easy and they are still ladle contenders.

If TU plays smart and works together as a team. I believe they can take UNK. But thats only if they can exploit UNk's weaknesses and are willing to play aggressive.

[Gonzap]

all this to make the same prediction i did.... xD

[dreadlord]

wow, i liked these predictions

[Tremor]

wow, i liked these predictions

Only like it because it shows CT going all the way.

[dreadlord]

I liked yours, too that's not the point, CT winning in Ladle Predictions, it's important what we are doing tomorrow on the grid

[Cody <3]

Dark Syndicate vs Open Team
This match is one that could swing either way, completely depending on the players that show up for each team, especially open team. There are many very good clanless players out there who haven't signed up for a team (to my knowledge), and could potentially play for open team, and shift their chances of winning significantly.

On the other side, DS could largely be depending on how slash performs, as he has shown he can be very good, or just above average, even on the same day. If DS works together, and all or most of them are on their game, they should probably be secured the win, even if OT does manage to pull in a few bigger names. Otherwise, I think despite cody's leadership and experience, Open Team will fall to it's usual lack of coordination and determination to win, and give DS a nice opening warmup.

On a guess, I don't think there will be enough interest in the OT by players for them to put together a squad with enough skill to match DS's coordination.

Result: DS 2 - OT 0

Look who we proved wrong

oT 2 - DS 1 correct scores

[syllabear]

yeah i'll admit it.

I did catch the end of the match, I guess you were lucky to get sine.wav on your team, and a few others. I had a feeling 75 would be there, and if it was just the 3 who signed up on the challenge board and him, then you'd probably have lost

Also, DS didn't look "on game" but it was the end of the second match, so they might just have given up.