This list was not easy to make. There are numerous players whose talents are not appreciated by fellow players, fans, and casters alike. While maybe not as deep a player base as the EU RLCS, NA is on the rise and I don’t expect this disparity to remain for too much longer; listed below are some of the players that are helping close the gap. This was not written to highlight the good players on lackluster teams, no these are players whose names I believe belong up there with the best in NA, and yet don’t receive this level of admiration. Let me know your thoughts below, I’m sure there are many,
Honorable Mention: Majicbear
Torrent’s consistent results put even teams like NRG to shame, though they probably aren’t celebrating. The group regularly falls in group stages, or just barely misses the mark in the closed qualifier. While not spectacular, the effort is admirable; Torrent have displayed flashes of brilliance, contending with top teams more the once, but ultimately falling short or losing to a team they have no business losing to.
During those short spurts of smooth play, one player stands out as a leader and catalyst, and that player is majicbear. Alongside kinseh, an underrated player in his own right, and Jordan, a defensive wall, majicbear’s striking capabilities are on full display.
Torrent recognizes the weight majicbear brings to the roster. Active with the team since 2016, he has been a shining beam of hope during rough series play. So much so that Torrent made the controversial move to depart with percy, and continue building around the offensive and defensive masterminds of majicbear and Jordan.
It would be no surprise to see Torrent burst into the top 5 in the upcoming NA Winter Regional 3. A team with so much history together, consistently strong play by each roster member, and solidified roles can only remain out of the spotlight for so long.
5. Comm
Comm filled big shoes taking Squishy’s spot between Gimmick and Torment as the former World Champions Could9 made their exit from Rocket League. It was apparent the pair needed another mechanical genius to take on the role as their lead man (especially given Torment’s defensive ability). Comm took on his new leadership position in stride, yet the newly minted Version1 didn’t see the same results as with their previous roster – their furthest bracket run came in NA Fall Regional Event 1 with a 3rd-4th place finish. That said, they consistently held top 8 appearances, and surely exemplified the skill that top teams demonstrate (Their consistent failure to secure game 5 wins definitely did not help their case).
The 2022 Winter season brought with it several roster changes to a once pretty dull NA trade window, and Version1 were no exception. They signed former Shopify Rebellion wunderkind Beastmode in place of Gimmick to hopefully give the team a better shot at the title. With a fellow mechanical mastermind in Beastmode, the two have worked in conjunction with Torment’s defensive prowess to produce a noticeable improvement.
Here Comm shines, his mechanics and playmaking ability (who knew Comm liked to demo so much) are on brilliant display with Beastmode as his partner in crime. The novel roster unburdened Comm, and saw him break out of his shell into a player that at his best, is easily considered in the top 10 NA RLCS players. Beastmode owns a spot on this list, but don’t be so quick to overlook Comm, I expect better results as this team develops deeper chemistry.
4. Aqua
The brand-new kid? He just turned 15! And yet here he is, getting underrated. A new potential Rogue starter was the subject of quite a few whisperings before Aqua’s induction into the RLCS. Like Dreaz, Daniel, and even Scrub, it was recognized that once he surpassed the age barrier, he would be quickly picked up for his unmatched rocket league potential. Rogue were the lucky organization that received a signature, and now he performs on the pitch next to Taroco and Gyro.
This team has seen modest results: eliminated lower bracket round 1 in the Winter NA Regional Event 1 and reaching a satisfactory 5th-6th in the Winter NA Regional Event 2. Rogue’s role within the NA RLCS ranks is still unknown, can they reach up to those top spots with NRG and Faze, or will they remain stuck in the chaotic middle ground battlefield with Complexity, Envy, Version 1, XSET and Ghost. What is apparent is Aqua’s influence and leadership on the new roster. He has successfully filled the missing void created by Firstkiller’s absence. Acting as that mechanical frontman for Gyro and Toroco, known supportive powerhouses, Aqua has silenced anyone who doubted the impact he would make on the pitch.
If these are the results and skill we can expect from Aqua now, his improvement will only serve to solidify his dominance in the league for many years to come.
3. Dreaz
Dreaz was among the first wave (excluding the GOAT Scrub Killa) of Rocket League talent realized at a young age. His name did not bring the pomp and circumstance that recent young additions Daniel and Aqua made; however, their entrance into the RLCS at 15 years old brought with it immediate signing and starting rosters – where Dreaz was selected for a spot as G2’s sub before reaching 15 years of age, and promptly took over upon Rizzo’s heartbreaking exit.
There, his one’s prowess quickly became apparent and Dreaz was immediately considered one of the best mechanical players in NA. Moreover, G2’s early adoption of a team-oriented playstyle, opting for quick passing plays and strategic ball leaves, provided Dreaz the necessary 3s playstyle experience he would need to compete at the top.
And that he did. Dreaz, alongside JKnaps and Chicago came in second in the 2021 Spring NA Major, and later won the NA Fall Classic Regional Event 3 among a host of other high placements throughout his time on G2
Now he occupies a seat next to Turbo and Mist on Envy. Although they don’t yet posses the chemistry that we saw out of G2 upon Dreaz’s introduction, it remains only a matter of time before we once again see Dreaz’s name on the list of RLCS Champions.
2. LionBlaze
Ghost gaming occupy a precarious position just outside of the middle of the pack. They were eliminated in the group stages for both the 2021-22 Winter Regionals and sit at 11nth overall. By no means bad, but surely not satisfactory for the team. One player on the team has seen recent victory, Lionblaze, but maybe not in the way you’d expect.
Like Dreaz, Lionblaze chose to display his incredible talent on the ones pitch before beginning his journey in the pro scene. For a time, Lionblaze was easily considered a top 5 NA ones player, and his goal-line defense is still touted as the best in NA.
Why is this significant? Well, we have often seen established one’s talent transfer well to the 3’s playlist. Daniel, a world-renowned ones player, now sits with Spacestation as possibly one of the best young additions in years, and Firstkiller remains in the argument for best in the world – a former ones god.
While we haven’t observed a similar shift in Lionblaze, it isn’t from lack of skill. Lionblaze can easily compete with the best, and any team would be especially thankful for his defensive ability on the field.
His catalyst is unknown, maybe a different roster, or maybe it will simply take further 3s experience. What is undoubted is his future, Lionblaze will continue to demonstrate his calculated playstyle and hopefully we can see it on the main stage in years to come.
Most Underrated Player: Lj
Many would say that Oxygen’s newly found strength in the RLCS is a result of Gimmick’s inclusion in the roster, and they wouldn’t be wrong. But, they would be overlooking who has had the biggest impact, and that is undoubtedly Lj. An absolute all-around beast, his presence on the field is unmatched; presenting a whopping 73% goal participation rate in Winter North America Regional 2. While his potential as a striker was there from the start, Gimmicks playstyle, and more importantly, his ability to refresh a stale team, has given Lj the push he needed to play at his best.
Oxygen ranked in season X a measly 15nth, edging out eUnited. Since the start of the 2022 year, they have placed 5th-6th 3 regionals in a row, and sit at an uncomfortable 8th place. The novelty of a new player is sure to invigorate any team, however Oxygen seemed to have taken an especially large advantage. Lj and Toastie even boasted about their found enthusiasm.
Lj has consistently led his team across the stat book, and at times demonstrated remarkable mechanics reminiscent of Firstkiller or Daniel. Whether he can be considered on the same level as these two giants has yet to be determined.
If you think I left out someone, or had the wrong order, let me know in the comments. See more of my thoughts on RLCS here!