The First Week of EU Nexus Games is over, but Warhead Junction and Zarya are legal next week. Will the arrival of a new hero and map shake up the current EU meta?
Roster Changes since Gamescom
Let's take a quick look at some major roster changes that have happened. First of all, AlextheProG has retired from competitive play, so Atheroangel has replaced him on Team Dignitas. It will be interesting to see if Team Dignitas can continue to be the best team in Europe as they integrate a new member, although it shouldn't be too big of an issue as Atheroangel has played for Team Dignitas before.
Atheroangel used to play for Team Liquid, and so did Cris, one of the longest-standing members of the team. However, both members were replaced by bkb and Sphyxi, as Team Liquid hopes to turn around the team's lackluster results.
People who watched this weekend's games may have noticed that Jowe was subbing for HasuObs on Misfits this week. HasuObs is just ill, and should be back next weekend. For those who don't know, Jowe is Misfits' coach, which is why he subbed for HasuObs.
EU Meta Update
It seems like Rehgar and Falstad have been in the meta forever, both with extremely high pick and involvement rates for patch after patch. But the nerfs have finally gotten to them, as Falstad was only picked once all weekend and Rehgar saw play in just 4 out of 19 maps with a 50% winrate. Let's just say both heroes have seen better days.
Two Bees Determined had spectacular success with adrd playing Sgt Hammer, as they decisively defeated The Jabronis 3-0 in one of just two matches that had the potential to be seriously competitive. But it wasn't just adrd who dusted off the siege tank - ePunks and Vodka Paradise also pulled her out. It will be interesting to see if the top tier teams follow suit in picking Sgt Hammer, or whether this is just a passing fad.
Pro Teams also really like Valla, as post-rework she is seeing a lot more play than ever before. This seems to be independent of region, as it is just as true in Korea as it is in Europe. Unfortunately, teams are putting way too much priority into picking Valla - it seems she is being picked too early in drafts, as she has a 3-6 record (33% winrate in Korea) and a 2-6 record (25% winrate) here at the EU Nexus Games. Patience and picking her in the right spot at the right time is advised.
Going Forward
Braxis Holdout saw a little bit of play early on this weekend, but unfortunately by the end of the weekend teams were not electing to play on the battleground. It seems that pros are not too enthusiastic about the snowball effect of the zerg rush, something that Blizzard plans to balance by making the objective weaker in the early game and scaling into the late game. Alarak saw some effective play in NA during Bloodlust by Goku, but he has yet to be impactful whatsoever in EU.
It will be really interesting to see if Zarya and Warhead Junction are more impactful on the meta/better received.
However, the real party crasher in next week's playoff matches in the EU Nexus Games is likely to be Malfurion. I wrote about the crazy patch note changes for Malfurion in this article, and the pros have found out too.
So guys - get ready to farm free elo points in Hero League Ladder with Malfurion and get ready for 1st pick 1st ban Malfurion in pro play. Man, am I dreaming when I write those words???
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