The Open Division kicks off again this week with the North American teams set to compete week in, week out to move up in the standings and secure their spot in the playoffs, along with a potential chance to play in the HGC Premier League. With this phase the top eight will move to the playoffs so now more than ever, every single cup is important.
With about 30 teams signed up so far, this cup will give us a first look at the fresh talent for this phase of the Open Division. After a handful of NA HGC teams have made roster changes, some players were unable to lock down a team, therefore creating new ones to try to get a spot back in the HGC Premier League. As a bonus, here are some teams to watch going into the first cup:
Upside Down - Yuuj, MiSTGamer, insomnia, ele3, Domovarion. Yuuj and insomnia both have a long resume in Heroes esports. Insomnia recently had a surprised departure from Team Freedom after their lackluster performance in Phase 1 despite dodging The Crucible. Yuuj was an integral part of the UT-A roster that had a fairly good run in the first phase of the Open Division along with winning Heroes of the Dorm. MiST was a fellow teammate of Yuuj from the 2016 Dorm team and he’s been trying to get back into the competitive scene along with becoming an avid streamer.
Hold It Down - Khroen, McIntyre, Arthelon (yes you read correctly), ishb00, BBJ. Without a doubt the most stacked roster coming into this first Open Division Cup of this phase. Khroen and McIntyre both recently coming from Premier League teams with Khroen booted from GFE and McIntyre unable to find a team after team B-Step disbanded. Arthelon is a name we haven't heard in Heroes for some time now. After leaving Cloud9 and taking a break from competitive Heroes a full year ago, Arthelon is back and hungering to get back to it. Will this be the team to get him back into professional Heroes?
Today at 18:00 PST live on the Arcane8 channel, the next seven weeks of amateur North American competitive Heroes begins as teams hunger for a spot in the HGC Premier League.
Can't play in this cup? Fear not! Registration for the second North American Open Division Cup begins tonight as well at 18:00 PST.
Anticipating the next European Open Division Cup? You're in luck! Registration is still open for the second EU Cup!
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