Inkstorm Cup
A Tournament Preview
Platinum Cup is around the corner, and this time it’s presented with something a little different. Two teams in the Inkstorm Cup will be given the opportunity to fly out to Japan to face off against two of Japan’s best team. The competition at EndGameTV’s Inkstorm Cup is a lot higher than usual as a result. Over 70 teams have thrown their gauntlet into the ring, looking for a chance to claim the coveted spot in what will be the first non-Nintendo-sponsored International LAN. These are the teams that are currently in the running to represent the best of Western Splatoon talent.
S-Tier — Most Likely to Win
Ghost Gaming — Sendou | DUDE | Sorin | Erza | Brian (sub)
Season 3 — 1st | EU Power Rankings (JUNE) — 3rd
The premier European squad Team Olive will be fighting in their first tournament under their new sponsor, the prestigious Ghost Gaming. Inkstorm Cup will mean many things for the hardy European squad. This will be a chance to win their first major event since January, where they took Inkcage II (conveniently also a Platinum Cup qualifying tournament). Among the contentious European region, Ghost Gaming stands above the rest with many positive matchup results. As one of the favorites going into the tournament, Ghost Gaming will have a lot to prove as an official squad.
SetToDestroyX — Penguitt | HXN | Kiver | fuzzy
Season 3–4th | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 3rd
StDx continues to stand as one of the strongest North American squad. After having dominated the majority of the NA scene during Season 3, they had a slight stumble at the E3 Championships where they fell short of the Grand Finals to Backsquids in one of the closest sets in competitive history. However, this time they will be fighting at their full power, with Kiver reinforcing the suffocating frontline that StDx has demonstrated in previous LANs many times before. However, if anything their loss at E3 has put a target on their backs, so their guard will need to stay up for this event if they wish to score their first non-NA LAN.
Kraken Paradise — Pepapig | Kaji | Grey | Plontro | Zero (sub)
Season 3 — 5th | EU Power Rankings (JUNE) — 1st
Kraken Paradise continues their run in Splatoon 2 with a third consecutive Top 5 seasonal finish, cementing their place as one of the best European squads in the scene. Tournament-wise, however, they haven’t made a splash since SqSS March 2018. Despite their last quiet few months, however, Kraken Paradise’s strength cannot be understated. With a recent influx of European talent into their roster, this lineup is looking better than ever. They will be entering Inkstorm Cup as a favorite, but it will be a challenge as newer teams challenge their spot.
A-Tier — Strong Contenders
Amaterasu — Pokefan | Knave | Frostie | Rawni
Season 3 — 11th | EU Power Rankings (JUNE) — 10th
Amaterasu is part of the wave of new European teams that swept over the scene in Season 3 and proudly stands among fellow strong German teams. After a slew of victories in smaller weeklies, they finally earned their first major victory in the LUTI S6 Seeding Tourney above teams like OrksGP and Prophecy. While their strength remains untested against teams above them, it is important to note how quickly Amaterasu rose to prominence in the last few months of their entire existence.
Deep Blues — Marsh | Dei | Taylor | Dr3a5 | Dr. Prodigy
Season 3–19th | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 2nd
Deep Blues is the perennial example of pure hard work. Deep Blues have made their mark on the North American scene as one of its most prolific and active teams. And while they have yet to win a major tournament, they did find themselves with recent wins against top teams such as Ghost Gaming and Chikara at the GSM Elite series. Inkstorm Cup may provide the special push Deep Blues needs to truly enter to upper echelons of the competitive scene, and at the rate they’re going it’s not a long shot.
Clout Gang (pickup) — Wadsm | Kronos | Kaito | Gamer
Clout Gang may as well be the sister team of Gucci Gang, the European squad who would eventually win the European Championships and move onwards to E3 where they defeated SetToDestroyX. Half of the team belongs to Pandora, one of the rising European teams in recent months that made a huge splash in the scene. The other half are players who have come from other prestigious teams in the scene. Their total talent alone may help this team snag a ticket to Japan.
Ftwin (pickup) — Ice | Shak | Toon| Kyo
Saikai and TOMO have been two of the most contentious teams in the North American scene, often trading wins against each other. For Inkstorm Cup, they have decided to team up to form the super North American pickup squad. All four players of the team have definitely proven their chops as members of the Top 3 teams in the US/Canada Inkling Open. And while this truce is temporary, these players have been with each other in the scene for so long that they understand what they need to accomplish victory.
B-Tier — The Dark Horses
Prophecy — The One | Koutetsu | Rafa | Blake | Killer2 | Germ | Sneaky | Miisa
Season 3 — 14th | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 7th
The One always seem to find some form of success competitively with new teams, and Prophecy may be the best looking one of the bunch. With some of the best of young North American talent, Prophecy is ready to take on the scene. At the moment they have a very consistent Top 8 placement in most tournaments they enter, from weeklies to premier events. Inkstorm Cup will be the target for them to get the first major win.
Synergy — rezb1t | Tim | Ant | Nasz
Season 3 — 15th | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 11th
Synergy stands as one of the oldest and original North American squads in Splatoon history. As of late, this team has returned with a vengeance, looking to reclaim the throne of the North American scene. While their results haven’t been looking stellar as of late, their talent alone and past experiences may help them in their run at Inkstorm Cup.
Oblivion & Friends (pickup) — Markus | Clown | Dadzie | kaldemar
As one of the rising European talents, Oblivion is definitely a contender for the Inkstorm Cup. However, due to age restrictions, this team has now had to recruit pickups in order to compete. Their power may be lessened due to the lack of certain key players, but Oblivion & Friends still stands a cut above the rest. While the road to victory at this event might be harsh, this pickup squad might be able to make their way through.
The True Underdogs
These teams are prominent teams, but will definitely have a tough time making their way into the final bracket. However, as in any tournament, there is a chance for them to compete and win a trip to Japan.
Spanish Army
Season 3 — 16th | EU Power Rankings (JUNE) — 15th
Gemini
Season 3 — 23rd | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 26th
Envizion
Season 3 — 29th | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 18th
Komodo
Season 3 — 33rd | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 33rd
TakeOver!
Season 3 — 35th | EU Power Rankings (JUNE) — 21st
Tekkadan
Season 3 — 65th | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 44th
Bayou Bosses Lastation
Season 3 — 93rd | NA Power Rankings (JUNE) — 22nd
Ijisu
Season 3 — 114th | EU Power Rankings (JUNE) — 35th
License to Meme (Pickup)
Sweaty Greasy Nerds (Pickup)
Stay Firmament (Pickup)
EDPP (new-ish)
Inkstorm Cup by EndGameTV will take place on July 14th to July 15th. Tune in to https://www.twitch.tv/endgametv1 to catch the action! The top two teams will qualify into Platinum Cup 4, taking place in Tokyo, Japan on August 4th.
